Update on me

Hi eveyone!  Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes!  My surgery went great.  No issues what so ever.  My stay at PNH was very comfortable and the staff was GREAT!  Dr. Mann and the staff there rocks!  I have not had any pain meds since I have been home.  My incisions look pretty good and I am sleeping well.  The first few days were a little tough because I could not sleep in my normal on my side or stomach position but all is well now.  I have not been getting all my fluids in yet but every day I try a little harder.  I know bottom line I just need to follow my doctors orders but I have gotten so much conflicting info from people.  Almost like they are trying to make me feel bad because I am doing what I consider to be as pretty good.  Nothing has made me sick so far, of course I am only eating what is on my stage 3 list.  I have eaten a little too fast and gotten that "I think I swallowed a brick" feeling.  So I know that part is working.  I even had one person tell me not to eat anything just have liquids because I do not want to harden my stomach.  I do not understand, I am eating what the doc said I can.  Last night for dinner I had 1 oz of chopped chicken with a little gravy, 1 oz of mashed potatoes, and 1 oz of mashed greenbeans.  I have been spliting a 20 oz Isopure over the morning and evening to get some added protein in.  I go see the doc tomorrow so maybe he can convince me that it is OK that I am feeling so good.  Thanks for letting me vent a little.  I welcome all your advice!

Congratulations on your surgery and that you are doing great.  I had my surgery done by a different doctor so I know nothing about the diet.  From what I have read on this board, he is one of the doctors that does progress through the food stages a bit faster.  What you had for dinner last night, is something I can eat after about week 3 or 4 and my surgery was a couple days after yours.  As long as it's what the dr says, then I wouldn't care or listen to anyone else.  Just my opinion.  But I am glad you are doing well.

Glad to see you posting on the board. Just follow your doctors order. I think they all have slightly different requirements. I wish I could have some chicken right now. I can progress to that after 2 weeks, so not that much longer. Best wishes, Penny

Hey Penny.  Just out of curiousity.  What is your diet like now that you are post op?  Just wondering how it compares to mine. 

I think my diet is close to the same as yours. I can have mushy or pureed foods. I am eating oatmeal, mashed potatos, peanut butter, refried beans, and others. I really want something else but I'm running out of ideas. I may try some pureed soup for dinner. ..even though I really don't like pureed foods. Weird huh??? Do you have any other suggestions that's working for you. And by the way, I looked at my book and I can progress to the next stage at week 4 (not 2) sigh!!! I really need some new ideas for sure. Thanks, Penny

Actually I have no ideas for you because you are eating much more then I am able too.  I am only allowed the full liquid diet and 2 different types of soups that I have to puree.  I am allowed mashed potatoes as long as they are the same consistency as the soups.  I do consume alot of jellos too.  I go back next week, @ 2 weeks post op and I will graduate to the next level.  So if everything goes as well as it has been, I may be eating normal foods again, soon!

I guess this proves that all dr have different requirements. My food has to be the consistency of pudding or soup.  Good luck on your journey. Penny

Got some ideas for you Penny.  How about scrambled eggs, yogurt, grits, cream of wheat, egg salad, tuna salad chicken salad, chili, beans (navy, pinto, etc).  I basically just made sure there were lean, low fat meats for dinner & just pureed them.  Not the greatest but it worked.  My favorite was my pureed cheeseburger.  Take some 93% fat free ground beef, fry it up in the frying pan, throw a slice of fat free cheese on top & eat. 

These are some good ideas. I'm definitely going to try that cheeseburger. and chicken salad. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks, Penny

Hey, Penny, you might want to call the dr's office and see what they consider "pureed".  All my dr's written instructions said "pureed", but the nurse clarified that I didn't have to put foods in a blender.  I just had to make sure they were soft, well mashed and I chewed really well.  I was really happy to have it explained to me because I wasn't looking forward to using that blender! That first soft boiled egg was so yummy!Good luck in your journey! Cleo