NEVER THOUGHT I'D MISS FLUIDS WITH MY MEALS

I first just want to say for all of you who are currently doing this because you have had surgery and those learning to eat like this because your going to have surgery. " I totally have to give you a high five and have a big respect for you all and a hug!!!!!!!!!!" I THINK THIS WAS THE HARDEST THING FOR ME TO GRASP  BUT I HAVE DONE IT NONSTOP  since the Nutritionist said this was a goal I needed to work on before I have surgery. So since the 14th I have been eating 6 small dry meals a day. The first few days i had this chant in my head that I have come so far and I can do it and get used to it cause that is how it is missy! I have to reach this goal and to incorparate 1000mg calcium and then I have to make another appt to see them . The waiting I think is the hardest part.....Much respect to everyone

I miss drinking with my meals too.  Sometimes I would absent-mindedly reach for my water during a meal.  I have to put it far away from me when I'm eating.  I don't think, however, you need to have "dry" meals -- I actually make my food as moist as possible.  I eat soup a lot.  Otherwise, it just doesn't sit well. Linda

Hi Linda,

Thanks for responding to my post. I think I should have mentioned what my nutritionist ment by dry eating. I guess it is their term (Kaiser's) for just eating without liquid drinks like water ,juice and what not with your meal. If  I could not make things as moist as possible I could not swallow it LOL it sure is hard even with that! The other day I had a serving of canned tuna and some chopped tomatoes from the garden. I tell ya that tomatoe sure helped swallowing the tuna LOL . my husband asked how in the heck can you eat tuna without mayo LOL I replied " since I since i am determined to succeed in  my surgery" lol. hope your enjoying the wonderful weather we had today :) thanks agian..........Regina

I haven't have my RNY yet, and I have to say this is the one thing I am kinda wigged out over.  I always drink something with meals.  It was a shock to realize I would no longer be post surgery.  The good part is it will be Autumn when I have the surgery, so soup will work well.  Any other tips?

Laur,  I was sure that I would not be able to eat without drinking---I knew I would choke.  Not true.  I have had no problems doing without fluids with my meals.  I think part of it is that we have to chew everything into pulp  and by then it is more moist.  Chew and eat slowly and it works as it should.  I believe I ate to fast and didn't chew well pre-op and that is why I needed to drink liquids---to wa**** down!  Sounds gross huh!    Much better now!   Julia

Wow, not gross you said that, because while I am thinking about it, that is probably my issue, too.  I DEFINITELY eat too fast now, so I need to work on slowing it down before the surgery.  It will be easier to correct than waiting post-op.  Thanks for the input!

Well Laur, gross wasn't a good choice of words---Now that I think about it, the picture that comes to mind is NOT what I was!  It wasn't like I was in a hot dog eating contest or anything, where I have seen people eat and guzzle liquid fast.  That wasn't me or any one of us I am sure, but I do know that taking more time, chewing more before swallowing would have been better for me then as it is now---and I would not have needed to drink liquids.   Where did I come up with "gross" as a description anyway???            Julia

I certainly have noticed, since this thread started going, that I need to SLOWWWW DOWWWN on the eating/drinking thing.  It's like you said, Julia.... just "taking more time, chewing more before swallowing...."  I hear ya!