4 weeks post op visit

YEAAAAAAAAAAA STACY!!!!!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!! 4 weeks?? WOW, seems like only yesterday (and I'm 3 days from 4mths out!!) lol Isn't this surgery the bomb!! I CAN'T believe that you were able to eat a burger!!  I still lose hamburger most of the time lol.. GOOD FOR YOU!!  BUTTTTTTTTTTT, lol  I'm pretty sure that's not a "soft food"  I COULD BE, (and probably am lol) WRONG  Just be careful!! Far as the oatmeal goes... I'm not sure Far as the wraps and crackers go... I'm not sure    LOL All doctors and all people are different.. I had my RNY @ UNC and my best friend had hers @ Duke and whew! Talk about different!! lol MY soft foods were things like mashed taters, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, and so on.  No crackers or wraps or meats  (unless it was tuna, some seafood, or tore up by the blender) which I couldn't keep down either lol Sounds like I've had it rough, but I HAVEN'T!!  84lbs (and weigh again tomorrow)  So something must be right!! You keep up the GREAT work and watch those burgers lol wink wink Connie

I just got back from my 4 week visit.  I lost 8 lbs the second 2 weeks.  I am down 24 pounds.  I feel so great.  I can start soft foods now.  I stopped and got a frozen cheese burger (small one) and only ate the meat.  It wasn't dry at all.   Maybe it wasn't a good choice, but I will do better.  I am stocked up on canned tuna, chicken, cottage cheese, string cheese, string beans, and other things that are healthy.  I have a couple of questions...... 1.  Can we have oatmeal, or will that swell? 2.  Can we have toast, wraps(like tortillas), and crackers? Oh, by the way.....I am so HAPPY I had this surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great job Stacy! I know you must be feeling great. I'm not much help with your food questions, but I know my friend Andrea whose surgeon is also Dr. Naziri, was able to eat crackers on the "soft" stage.

I go for my four week post op tomorrow.  Can't wait to get more food added.  I was allowed oatmeal after my two week appointment.  I have tried it, only able to eat a couple of bites, but it went down fine. Continued good luck and success.

Hey great job so far! On Stage 2 foods I survived off of applesauce, SF pudding, cream soups and grits. Bobbie said that if I was to do the grits or oatmeal to try just an ounce first to see how my stomach would handle it since it will swell some. I didn't have crackers until Stage 3. You know how to get ahold of me if you have any other questions.

Stac -

Congratulations on your fabulous start.

Re: soft foods. To be honest, each program may classify that differently. If you look at my profile in "July 2007" I think you will find the "rules" for the soft diet for Duke, but you should check with yours to see what they say. The long and the short of mine was not to eat any skins, cruiciferous vegitables, or anything I couldn't "cut" with a fork ... so, tecnically, hamburger would have been okay. Some have problems with hamburger, chicken, etc... some don't. One of the things I really remember is that you should try introducing just one food at a time to see how you handle it ... very soon, you'll find that you have a decent number of foods you can eat in combination, but when trying something new, just try it by itself.

I hope that helps.

Enjoy your re-entry into the world of foods.

Barb

Congrats on 24 pounds in 1 month! I think that is about what I was although I don't remember exactly... you are doing great! I was able to do hamburger (ground) maybe a little after 1 month-- it kind of all runs together, but now it goes down fine. As with anything, just eat slowly, small bites and see how you feel before continuing.  Chili is a good alternative, b/c it is full of protein as someone else said. Also taco meat with cheese was good for me. I was able to do tortillas (soft and not much) eventually (I think it was longer than 1 month out though) and can eat about 1 small tortilla now. Sometimes I'll eat it with taco meat and sometimes with a piece of FF ham and cheese... be careful though as it does swell some and if you start "feeling" it, stop. You don't want to over do it. I think you have to really see what you can eat and go from there-- don't do anything you feel may hurt you.  The key is to take it slow.... I was CRAVING bread, so a little bit of a tortilla killed that craving... Mashed potatoes--although not protein heavy-- are ok, also tuna salad and crab salad... that is another good way to get in protein. The first two months are so are rough, but part of it is your learning what you can and can't eat which is the hard part. It will get easier. :) Keep up the good work and let us know if you have any questions!!!

Congratulations on your weight loss Stacy!  You're doing a great job. To answer your questions: A.  Hamburgers are not on the soft foods lists of most doctors, so I think I'd hold off on them until the doc/nut clears you for courser/denser foods. 1. I would avoid oatmeal for now.  It does swell.  About 6 weeks out, I ate half a package or less and had a massive dump.  I couldn't eat oatmeal until almost 9 months out.  I tried it a couple of times earlier on and it hurt and caused dumping.  Try to concentrate on soft foods that are protein rich. 2. Toast won't swell as much as bread, but it will a little, so use it sparingly.  I was told a quarter of a slice of toast was all I should allow myself.  Wraps are the same way, not swelling per se, but your pouchy  is still small, try to fill it with protein and vitamin rich foods.  Crackers won't hurt you, but again use them sparingly as they are carb dense and higher in calorie than you'd think. Take care, you're doing great! Ellen

Thank you Ellen.  Dr. Naziri and the nurse that weighed me told me to try ground beef.  They said it was a good choice.  I didn't actually eat a burger, it was a small patty.  I don't think I will even try the oatmeal.  Don't want to get sick.  hahaha  I hope you are doing well.

Congratulations Stacy! You're on your way! xoxo MARE