Day 9 - Holy grail drink!

Last night, I spent time with my friends!  One thing I've learned from this experience is that your family and friends are everything.  You don't know how much you are loved until you are down, and everyone helps you up.  I'm incredibly blessed to have amazing people around me, and sometimes I think I don't have too many friends, but I definitely have quality friends, and that's all that matters in the end.

Not only did my friends bring their lovely selves, they also brought me goodies!  Remember how I had a gigantic case of Vanilla Ensure that made me want to vomit?  Well, my friend brought chocolate Ensure and wow, made tons of difference.  It tastes like I'm drinking chocolate milk.  For those of you thinking about drinking Ensure, definitely try the chocolate, unless you don't like chocolate.  If you're drinking the vanilla, I'd suggest you find a good recipe to mix.  But wait a minute, that's not the star of the show!  It's actually the Special K Protein drink in Chocolate Mocha flavor.  O.M.G.  This is a coffee lover's dream.  I've been craving coffee, since I'm a typical coffee drinker, but I really haven't had any since the surgery.  It's sweet, but not too sweet.  I'm so happy they brought me this drink because now I have a go-to protein drink!  Woo! :)

I've been cooking dinner for my family on the daily.  It keeps me occupied and on my feet for at least an hour or two everyday.  Although it makes me so sad and hungry, I'm just really glad I can do something for my family in return.  I usually serve dinner for each of them, since they all come home at different times, and I sit with them while they eat.  I suggest that you do something similar to spend time with your family if you can.  How many times in your life do you get 3 weeks off work to just sit around?

I'm still swollen as usual, and it's going down slowly.  You know the drill, nothing new.  It's obviously come a long way since Day 3-4 though.  I'm not sure I can say talking brings the swelling down.  I'm still drinking my ginger infused ginger-ale, which is also still bommmb.  When I talk, it's still very tight in my face, so I'm not sure if I'm making it worse, or loosening my muscles.  I am still using my hand warmers on my face on and off during the day, and taking a nice hot bath in the morning where I soak my face.  I want to think it's helping.

Let's talk weight.  Over the past 9 days, I've lost just about 7lbs.  When I had my appointment with my surgeon on Monday, he didn't seem concerned.  I've definitely weighed less than this before so I'm not too concerned either.  Obviously, you will gain the weight back when you start eating regular food.  You're on an all liquid diet, losing weight is almost guaranteed.  It's a nice detox for the first few days, but again, you're on an all liquid diet.  If you're only drinking liquids, please consider what you will be doing in the bathroom.  :)

Take-Away:
1) Family and friends are everything.
2) Special K Protein drink in Chocolate Mocha is BOMB.
3) Still swollen, but definite progress.
4) 10lb weight loss is pretty normal.