That time of the year - Post Op and Dieting

[jon]

165.5 lbs this Morning!  I have lost 11 lbs since 12.23.11, Friday, when I came home from the surgery weighing 176.5 lbs.

I decided I was going to eat whatever I wanted in the interim between my Schmitt appointment, 11.23.11, and my bilateral hip resurfacing; comfort food exists for a reason.  A box of Ice cream Drumsticks a day was my hands down favorite.  I also decided that, starting 12.20.11, the day of my surgery, was the beginning date of my journey back to my best self.

With my 2 failed arthroscopic surgeries 2 yrs ago, each time I gained in the hospital 10+ lbs of water weight. I had the same pattern with my recent resurfacing; my pre op resurfacing weight was 163 lbs and my hospital exit weight was 176.5 lbs.  You should expect that from the saline drip and water they literally pump into you during your hospital stay.  I couldn't tell I had knees I was so puffy :o.

My suggestions for rapid healthy weight loss post op:

Pick one meal of 3/Day to be the same, so you're on auto pilot.  I do the same breakfast - 1/2 cup dry oats, 1/2 cup water to cook it to desired consistency.  Dash of cinnamon to taste and stir in.  1/2 chopped banana, 3 walnuts chopped, 1/4 c. blueberries, washed down by a cup of skim milk over ice.

Try drinking excessive amounts of water constantly throughout every day; that forces you to get out of bed quite frequently, helps flush out your system, and build strength all at once.

Lunch and Dinner a very small piece of meat: grilled fresh fish, chicken, steak, pork, sausage, etc. with a cup of favorite veggies.

A little butter for your broccoli is fine.  Making your veggie side dish yummy is even better, for example -

cauliflower, easy on the cheddar cheese, bread crumbs, bacon bits

oven roasted butternut squash, real maple syrup, pecans, onions, sweet yellow, orange, red bell peppers

oven roasted asparagus with a smidge of olive oil, thyme and rosemary

Snack whenever you are hungry between meals with juicy grapefruit that's cut up and ready to eat in the fridge every day, a few high end crackers with less than a 1/4 cup of wine, roasted butternut squash or sweet potato that tastes like desert, etc., a tiny amount of leftovers

To stay satisfied, One small decadent treat a day is essential:  a Hershey bar & milk, a handful of Poppycock, (not my favorite), a piece of Toffee, just try to keep that treat under 300 calories or so.

That adds up to me eating 3 times a day, one desert treat, juicy grapefruit as a snack every day, and sometimes some plain popcorn with a little real butter & salt in the evening with Hubs.

Hubs is preparing all of the above food that I most enthusiastically and gratefully consume.

2yrs ago prior to my hips blowing out: 145 lbs,   Pre op: 163 lbs,   1st day home from Hospital: 176.5 lbs,   today's weight: 165.5 lbs,   and my Fit weight: 130 lbs *Goal*

Female, 50, 5'9"

An absolutely perfect plan.  Impressive simplicity affording countless benefits.  Go Get'm...!

[Two4One]

Why, Thank you, Jon!  You are too kind, sir.

[jon]

It's just great to hear when someone takes all the mystery/magic out of a simple health and nutrition plan! A tad of discipline, good food and a small commitment to a healthier life. That's all it takes...

Way to go!

[mslendzion]

Thanks to all the feedback. Great recomendations and interesting info. Two4one it sounds like you are doing great and are on the fast track to a healthier, happier new life. I look forward to hear your successes with recovery and your diet goals. I'm going to try a similar structured plan.

Is your appetite generally poor once you get home from the hospital?

[Two4One]

OMG, before surgery when it killed me to walk a step, I'd haul myself to the store and sneak in my Drumsticks while Hubs was at work.  The pain was so stressful and went on for so long undiagnosed, and it's not like I could take much stronger drugs than I was already on, so I really turned to the salty sweet of the junky Drumsticks for some kind of relief pre op.

My appetite was a little off in the hospital, mslendzion, but not by much.  I'm still taking the pain meds that really give you the munchies, which is fortunately working for me instead of against me, now that I'm basically eating gourmet natural food and staying full on healthy chow.

WE, you and me, are the mighty and proud Schmittians, and we are both kicking tail and taking names.  I can't wait to hear of your successes!