Question:
I really, really want to have this surgery, but have some questions to ask.
How do you know what to eat after surgery? I feel like I am not creative enough to know what to eat, or how to get a variety. I feel like, after it is too late, I will realize I don't know how to eat, and will end up eating all the wrong things. What happens if a person doesn't like whatever we have to eat for protein, like the shakes? How does a person go back to work and know what to take to eat? What happens if we get diarrhea at work (the type that gives you no warning)? I have colitis now, and don't know what might happen if I have surgery. I just feel really mixed up, although I want the surgery so bad. I am in the process of waiting to hear from the surgeon on if I qualify or not (have filled out the paperwork). Thanks for any help. — JoAnn A. (posted on December 10, 2002)
December 10, 2002
You will know what to eat when your Dr gives you a packet of aftercare
information.It should list a selection of foods for each stage of your
recovery.You would also benefit from a session with a nutritionist who is
knowlegable in wls. There are medicines to take that will help with your
diahrea.Don't worry, it will all work out and this is only temporary.Soon
you'll be at normal food again.Blessings,
— Leslie E.
December 10, 2002
JoAnn,
I was unsure of a lot of the same things prior to my surgery. As far as
knowing what to eat, I was required by my surgeon to take a nutrition class
that was specifically designed for by-pass patients. That was a tremendous
help. I think support groups are an excellent information source as well.
Not to mention I have gotten many ideas from this website, more than I ever
could imagine. Not only for food and nutrition ideas but so many other
things as well. I have not had a problem with the diarhea you speak of and
am now over 4 months out. I myself don't like the protein shakes either
and have found that I get plenty of protein from the food I eat. It can be
done without protein supplements. Your choice is yours alone. Only you
can decide if this surgery is right for you. I did a lot of reading on
this site before I finally made the decision to have the surgery. And I
couldn't be happier with my choice. I am now down 80 pounds and feel so
much better physically and emotionally! Good luck in your decision.
— Laurel C.
December 10, 2002
I had the same fears pre-op. For what to eat read my profile. I hated
meat for the first four months, now I am fine with it. I always take my
protein shakes and vitamins. I like Real Meals it has everything we need
in one place and I like the fact that it is one of the few that will be
absorbed 100% by post ops. But even if I hated the shakes I would still
take them. Because I would hate sagging skin, loosing my hair, getting
stuck on plateaus, or getting sick more. I hear so many people say I don't
like protein shakes and they refuse to drink them in one post. Then in
another post they say they can't figure out why they are not losing as
fast, or that they have no energy, or they are loosing all of their hair.
Most people seen to have the oppostie problem they will become constipated
easily after surgery. I went back to work at two weeks post op, i was
really concerned about the same issues as you but I did fine. By the time
you go back you will have an idea of what is the easiest for you to eat. I
hope this helps.
— Linda A.
December 10, 2002
I too had the same problem of trying to figure out what to eat. (I hate to
cook too). Yeah I know doctors usually give a packet of info but that still
did'nt help me as you do need to be "creative" as you said.
However nothing tasted or smelled good for six months so I only ate what I
could possibly stand the taste of. Basicially I lived on meat and cheese.
NO PROTEIN SHAKES (or "shit in a glass" as I call it). My regular
doctor (not surgeon) saw my protein report (it was a blood test result) and
she hit the roof! "Get off the protein suppliments NOW!" (8.1 or
8.2! My surgeon was VERY pleased with it!) However I was NOT on ANY
suppliments. It was the meat and cheese! :) So you can do it. I do wish I
had taken the first six months and learned how to eat "properly".
However as I said, food was just so gross that I only ate what I could
"stomach" and that was'nt much as far as "variety".
— Danmark
December 10, 2002
I felt that I was prepared for my post op diet. My surgeon required 2
pre-op diet classes before I even had my consultation with him! See if
there is a support group for post-op WLS folks in your area; they should be
able to give you some guidance and ideas. I had to be on pureed foods for
the first 4 weeks, then started adding soft foods. Here are some things I
did: bought Tyson roasted, skinless, boneless chicken breasts (2 to a pack)
and pureed them and added Campbell's cream of chicken Soup at Hand to give
it flavor and moisture. I cooked a turkey breast in the crockpot, pureed
that and used (homemade) gravy for flavor and moisture. I ate a lot of
cottage chese, and drank a lot of V-8 Juice, because I couldn't stand
pureed vegetables. I tried baby food, but it was just too bland. I had
regular flavor (plain) instant oatmeal made with skim milk - creamy and
filling. I used Lactaid milk, which has a slightly sweet taste, so I
didn't even need to add sweetner. Small containers of unsweetened
aplesauce, Dannon Lit and Fit yogurt in the 4oz. size. Honestly, I just
recently started using protein shakes (to help break a plateau. I found
that beef (even cooked in a crockpot and pureed) still doesn't agree with
me. I take my lunch to work everyday, so that's why I came up with some
pretty portable stuff! Above all, it is nearly impossible to know what you
will be able to tolerate after surgery, as everyone seems to respond
differently to some degree.
— koogy
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