Lots of Food Questions from a Newbie? I have Head Hunger and need some answers...

So how soon did you start eating fruit, meats, etc...after surgery?

My hubbys and my anniversary is coming up and we'll probably do dinner what can I eat? I was thinking a baked potato, and a lightly breaded fish with tarter sauce, if it doesn't go well I'll be in the bathroom I guess?

Okay as I have been in and out of hospital I finally am at home eating seems like if I am hungry I feel sick, but when I eat I still feel crummy afterwards? Also Water and liquids make me feel crummy if I drink too much any ideas on what I can do or am doing wrong?

 

MUCH HELP NEEDED WITH ANSWERS PLEASE HELP YOU WHOM HAVE BEEN THRU THIS PLEASE!

Myself, I would stay away from more than a bite or two of a baked potato, and I'd try for non-breaded fish, or just peel the breading off. Chicken or steak are also good solid protein, but I'd steer clear if you're having trouble with solids, a lot of people have trouble with those I hear.

Teeny tiny bites, chew chew chew, try to make meat as tender as possible. (Broken record, I know.) Set a TIMER for 20-30 min. to eat to, it really helps me. I tend to feel icky when I scarf, so maybe that's a problem for you too? Try setting down a fork between bites, etc. Maybe try baby food meats? 

With water, try different flavors, etc. SIP constantly, don't chug periodically. Your stomach can only hold so much at a time, give it a lil bit to catch up.

The biggest bit of advice that I can give anyone is this: If you feel like you're going to get sick, it's only going to make you feel worse to fight throwing up. Seriously. You will be miserable. Just let it go. There's no shame in it.

It takes awhile for your body to adjust to its new way of being. You've undergone a huge change, be patient for your body to catch up. It will.

EDIT: I think I was 6 weeks out before I started eating solid foods again. Meats first, then veggies, fruits added in later. Beware of carbs - especially untoasted bread - they might not feel great AND if you fall into the carb trap it's a..... it's tough to get out of.

Okay why no baked Potato? Mashed Potato would that work? Not a huge fan of fish I could do grilled chicken maybe? Can anyone eat salads or does it run right thru everyone, how soon did you eat salad after surgery?

There's no protein in potatoes. It won't do much for you except fill you up when you should be using your limited pouch space for protein. If you can eat grilled chicken, yeah, go for it. Just be careful, make sure it's real moist and take it slow, small bites.

Salads are kind of the same thing. They're more valuable than potatoes nutritionally, but don't eat a whole meal of salad because you're missing out on protein. It used to be that we'd eat salads that were a lot of lettuce and a little bit of meat and cheese as a topping. Now you kind of have to flip it and have lots of meat and cheese, and very little lettuce. Beans would be a good side, just make sure they don't have a lot of sugar in them.

At the point you're at after surgery, you should be focusing on protein above all. A bite or two of other things to satisfy cravings is just fine, but protein is job number one.

This doesn't really answer what to eat, but maybe now is a great time to reconsider how you celebrate. Can you do something different for your anniversary so that the meal isn't the big highlight/celebration? Do an activity you've both wanted to do, or read each other poetry or something else to commemorate your years together. A couple's massage!

I've been working hard to change the meaning of food in my life and so I work hard at treating myself in other ways, comforting myself in other ways, celebrating in other ways.

As for food, when I was as early out as you, I ate chili since most restaurants have chili. Take a look at a menu before you go and see what you can eat. Or, romantically, share with your husband. I almost always share an entree with my boyfriend since I still can't eat that much.
Or, we might get fajitas for two since I can eat the meat and some of the veggies. But remember, the point of the meal is to spend time with your hubby. Don't focus so much on eating what you used to eat--traditional celebration food-- life is different now and will need to continue to be different for you to be successful. I suggest using this anniversary as a way to not only celebrate your marriage but as a way to celebrate the new life ahead of you, which may mean doing things differently than in the past.

Unsolicited advice, I know, but I'm hoping it was helpful.

Anna

I know you've been through a lot, Diane!  What is your nutritionist saying about what you should be eating at this point?  I would confirm with him/her before making any decisions about what to eat when you go out, especially if you're still having trouble eating and drinking, which it sounds like you are, if you feel crummy every time you eat or drink something!

I don't know if these foods you are mentioning eating at the dinner out are correct for your food stage, being that you're only a few weeks out right? I would talk to your NUT? Again I don't know what food phase you're in. If you are in pureed or soft foods, I wouldn't do a breaded fish, stick to a grilled whitefish and make sure they don't slather it in a high fat sauce or with butter- (I wouldn't want to run to the bathroom on your special nite at the reastaurant to dump because of the high fat)
Make sure you order something that is protein.. you can the 2-6tbsp of it and you should be full. If not you could eat a few bites of the potato but don't use butter.. use sour cream or something because they need to be soft and loose as you can get them if you're in the pureed or soft food stage..

Did you get a booklet from your surgeon's office to follow after surgery?

You & I have different surgeons, but our's gave us a booklet with the post surgery diet guidelines in it. I would hope all programs would do that.

Potatoes? No way! All carbs, no protein. eek!

Focus on your liquids and your proteins, Diane. But actually, now that I think about it, I am wondering what stage of foods are you on? Were your progressed to softs after you got out of the hospital?

I am on Purees at this point, just curious as to the future and whats possible....