Nut appointment and 14 days post op!!

I am so happy to be 2 weeks post op!  I'm still feeling better everyday it's amazing.  I am down 19lbs since surgery!  I can now advance my diet a little more and include soft veggies and fruit as long as I get my protein in first.  I am doing wonderful getting in all my protein from food and she agreed that I don't have to ever drink another protein shake again YAY. (I told her the only protein shake going into my body will be through a g-tube if she told me I needed them still hahaha)

I am exercising everyday.  Enjoying my Zumba classes and elliptical/treadmill.  I am feeling more like myself.  I am trying new recipes and enjoyed a super yummy creamy shrimp "chowdah" as we say in Boston.  22 grams of protein and it was really easy and delish-made with cauliflower not potatoes and you wouldn't know the difference.

For all the pre-ops and very new post-ops it is so worth it and it does get better everyday.  I've had my ups and downs but overall it's been a smooth journey!  I have caught myself a few times wanting to eat for emotional reasons.  I had the wake for my student this week and that was really hard.  I came home and immediately thought of food.  I couldn't eat though, so instead I just went to bed.  I'm still learning to deal with my emotional eating but that will probably be for the rest of my life.  Thanks for listening. Kari

 Can you share that recipe with me?  Being from Maine...I'm a chowda snob!!!

Absolutely, it's from the Eating Healthy after Weight loss Surgery book.

Ingredients: 1 C cauliflower, coarsely cut up, cooking spray, 1/4c medium onion chopped, 1 tsp garlic chopped, 1oz LF ham finely diced, 1/4 tsp lemon pepper, 1 8oz bottle clam juice, 1c evaporated ff milk, 1/2 pound large shrimp (shelled and de-veined) quartered, salt/pepper to taste.

1. Steam cauliflower until very soft (i did in the microwave)
2. Coat the bottom of a large saucepan with cooking spray and cool onions and garlic over med/high heat until soft, about 2 min.
3. Stir in ham and lemon/pepper, then add clam juice and evaporated milk.
4. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until just barely boiling.  Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 min (should be slightly thickened).
5. Puree 1/2 cauliflower and add to soup, stir well, and simmer for 5 min.
6. Coarsely chop remaining cauliflower and add to soup.
7. Stir in shrimp and cook for 30 sec to 1 min. until all shrimp pieces turn pink.

(I added the whole can of evaporated milk and a little extra cauliflower and it was so good.  I also didn't use any salt).

Serving Guidelines: 
For Bypass:
Weeks 1-4: Puree 1/2 cup
Weeks 5-8: Put 1/2 c soup in mini chopper and process until shrimp is chopped.
Weeks 9+: Serve 1/2-1c as is.

Calories: 130.33,  Protein: 21.96g,  Fat: 1.53,  Carbohydrates: 10.56g,  Cholesterol: 92.14mg,  Fiber: 0.98g,  Sodium: 646.69mg.  

 Thank so much! Sounds yummy!!

Oh good to know, I bought that book the other day for my kindle.

 Ooooh thanks for shaing this recipe! 

Sounds like you are having great success!  Keep it up! 

Oh thank you for sharing, it is good to know that once I have surgery and am going though ups and downs that I will feel better..looking forward to surgery

Kari,
Glad to hear you are doing so well !!
I have my ups and downs too , yesterday was DOWN , had pain on the left side under my ribs and then over medicated myself and felt awful. I used an ices pack last night and this a.m. before I got out of bed and am doing better.Had planned on calling the surgical nurse at my doc's office , but was doing so much better that I didn't bother
I find when I go out anywhere I feel sweaty and clammy , I don't like that at all !! I assume it is from the pain meds that I am still taking and take for my knees and hip
I make my "potato" salad with cauliflower all the time , nobody ever knows the difference!!
Keep up the good work !! you can exercise for the both of us !!!!

Thanks Donna!  Sure I'll exercise for both of us  Zumba tonight!! 

Major League Congratulations!!!  

Keep at it!