Given the Okay on Any Foods - Need Food Ideas!

So, my RNY was July 15th, 3 weeks ago. I saw Dr. Siegel today and he said to go ahead and try any foods I like. No more soft, mushy foods. However, a majority of stuff I STILL can't keep down, I throw up almost everything. Looking for ideas on what worked well for people who had the vomitting issue.

I went to PouchFriendly.com and didn't see many things that appealled to me.

So I sent hubby out and he got me some watermelon and other fresh fruits to try (I would live off fresh fruits if I could!) I had about 4 small cubes of it, I started to cramp a little but did fine. I think my problem came in when I ate and chewed (very well) two cashews. Within 2 minutes I threw up everything. This tends to be the norm at this point. I can't seem to keep much down.

I am the kind of person that isn't afraid to try new things, but it still sucks when it backfires and I throw it up.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Heather

 Heather

My advice is to take it slow.  Every surgeon is different.  My surgeon was extremely strict but I have a pouch of "steel" and other patients joke about it as well.  We were not allowed to have anything but full liquids for 3 months.  It was boring and hard but it paid off in the long run.  Think of your pouch as the stomach of a new baby.  What would you feed a new baby?  Go from there.  Take it gradually.  Soft fruits such as applesauce, blended cottage cheese, refried beans, were some of my favorite foods during this time.  I was also banned from tomato products and veggies.  

I will say this.  As much as I hated the 3 months of the strict diet, I have never vomited or dumped.  So in the long run, it was well worth it to me.  

Nancy,
Once you graduated from the soft foods what were some of the things you tried? I've been on the soft foods for 2 weeks now. Applesauce, cottage cheese, etc. Siegel has given me permission to get off the soft foods diet. I'm looking for ideas of what foods I should try first....

Also, I have an odd work schedule. So I typically look for quick and easy prep foods. Two days a week I eat lunch and dinner at work. So microwavable items are perfect for me. A majority of the time I get home after my family has eatten dinner so I'm not looking for long, large prep time foods.

Any ideas? Anyone?

Thanks,
Heather

Microwaveable meals are filled with extra additives and salt. You may also be tempted to eat the entire meal. I suffer from 'Clean the Plate" syndrome....I keep the portions sizes small and if I'm at home, I only eat on a small plate.

Purchase the small, really, really small ziploc storage containers. I used that to split my meals before I left for work.

Good Luck!

Heather,

Remember to make good food choices. "Any foods you like" shouldn't include empty calorie foods. Remember the following when eating:

1. Protein is always first. You will still need to strive for 60-80g per day. Protein shakes are a quick and convenient way to fulfill your needs.

2. Produce is always second. If you're having a salad, go easy on the dressing.

3. Make good carbs last. You will still need some to keep your brain functioning.

If you're crapping from the fruit, you could be dumping frm natural sugars. Cashews? Too many calories....just a waste of good chewing

At your stage, I was still on mushies.

One more....remember to try out one new food at a time. That way you will know which food is the culprit if you get sick.

At this point my surgeon isn't concerned about my calorie intake. I'm having issues keeping even soft foods down. I'd say my calorie intake with what I'm able to actually keep down is 300-400 per day! He recommended cashews because they are small, have protein and I seem to be able to tolerate them (Not sure why I threw up the watermelon after eatting the two cashew halfs - I most likely ate the 4 cubes too quickly). Protein shakes make me vomit as well as my vitamin Optisource.

It's 2:30pm and so far I've eatten 4 oz of cottage cheese and water. Thats nothing. If I don't get some sort of sugars in I will bottom out (I'm on an oral diabetic med as of Monday because my fasting numbers are 170-200)

I'm looking for ideas of actual foods to try. Does anyone have ideas rather than telling me what I already know? (IE: When your Dr. Gave you permission to get off soft foods what did you immediately try, what worked what didnt? - Boiled Chicken? Baked Fish?)

Thanks.

Heather, I am a lapbander, but I may have some ideas for you
Try, Wendy's chili, or make your own.
        Hard boiled eggs
        sweet potatoes
        Baked fish
       meatloaf
      String cheese

Hugs,
Lisa

Thank you this helps! :-D

I would grind up some chicken breast and add a little broth to it.  See how you tolerate things like that. How about a little turkey taco meat with some black beans and salsa for flavor.   I'm like everyone else I'd take it easy. I'm 9 months out and I still eat a lot of tuna, grilled talapia, and I also eat a lot of nuts, yogurt with raisin bran in it, jello, oatmeal.  I try to keep it right at 1/2 a cup.  maintaining your pouch will pay off. I'm down 100 lbs since I started and am now a size 10/12.

Thanks, these are the responses I was looking for! Anyone else have suggestions of what they first tried / experiemented with? Would love some more ideas!

Thanks,
Heather