One Month Post Op, How to eat? Or What to eat?

Hi Va! I haven't posted in a while. I am officialy one month ( and a week) post op. I have lost 31 pounds, which amazed me. I know that the weight comes off, but I did not think it was that fast. I need some suggestions for meal ideas. I have been having a problem with eatting. My doc thinks it may be a me being scared to try and eat, ( which I am slightly because of the nausea) but at the same time, I am pretty weak and just not that into eatting right now. It's work getting the fluids in. This was a big surprise to me, I thought the biggest complication of surgery would be I was SO hungry I would not be able to stand it. Just the opposite. Any advice or encouragement would be Lovely. Feeling Blah right now, Cindy

Miss Cindy !!! You are already one month? WOW !!! Congrats !! Take full advantage of this time of no appetite because by 11 months, where I am now, it starts to come back. It wont be as extreme as before surgery but it will come back. DAMN IT !!!...lol Keep you fluids up...At least 64oz a day and supplement with your protein supplements in your fluids to get the amount your doc requested you to get in. It was hard for me to eat for a while. Due to my stictures I didn't start eating solid foods probably until June..so for 3 months. Don't worry... our body has all the excess fat to feed off of so we are good as long as our fluids are up at the early start of WLS. Keep testing different foods. What worked for me may not work for you. At this point most of us where doing the soft protiens, cottage cheese, puddings, yogurts. Have you thought about crab cakes or pureed chicken and gravy? It is trial and error. Fluids and rest girl. Take small bites and see what settles well for you. I am so happy for you !!! Congrats again. I really thinnk that this is normal at this point..but if you have concerns call your doctor's office and talk to the nurse there. You deffinately don't want to get dehydrated. Dana

Thanks Dana, Might I add that you look FANTASTIC! I have started with cottage cheese and refried beans. I have tried salmon , talapia, and tuna, which don't stay down yet, the chicken and gravy I think I will try. Each day is definitely getting better, but I do have to get used to scheduling, feeding and drinking. I guess once the nausea goes away, this will get easier. Thanks for the advice. Crab Cakes are something I didn't think of at all.! Cindy

Hi Cindy, That's awesome (the weight loss, that is)! Sorry you are having trouble with eaing. I wish I could offer you advice, but I am till preop. I am sure that some of the very successful, knowledgable people will have plenth of great advice for you though. Keep up the good work! Hugs, Robin

Hey Robin, I haven't talked to you in a while. How is the pre op stuff going? Let me know if I can help youwith something pre op, or post so far (besides eatting right)!Take Care, Cindy

Hi Cindy, Everything is going well now that I am finally approved - I'm just waiting for a date with Dr. Wohlgemuth. How long did it take for the scheduler to get in touch with you after you got your approval letter? I have been waiting a week and a day, and I am going crazy ! Keep working on the eating thing - who would have thought that eating would be such a problem, right? Anyway, keep up whatever it is that you're doing, it must be working since you've lost so much already. Talk to you soon! Hugs, Robin

what are you allowed to eat at this point ? I can offer suggestions but I don't know your plan. I ate a lot of soups, tried numerous protein suppliments and drinks, steel cut oats, high protein cereal, made SF protein pudding (yummy), cottage cheese pancakes (with either cinnamon splenda flavoring or onion, garlic, and salt flavoring),BOCA burgers (flame broiled kind), garden burgers, no sugar added applesauce. I can think of more, hope this helps. we have to eat 6 times a day (3 balanced meals and 3 high protein snacks) It is very hard work in the beginning. I am only 7-8 weeks out and now I can eat every 2-3 hours without a problem. Everyone is different. Congrats on your loss that is awesome ! Melissa

Hi Melissa, The Doc said I can move up to level 4 for a wider variety. What kind of protein pudding do you use? I saw some at GNC and was wondering about that/. The Boca Burgers are also something I didn't think of, and that sounds appetizing. I use the no sugar added applesauce every day for the pill grinding ****tail. What about Supplements? Which ones do you use? Thanks for the advice! Cindy

I make the protein pudding myself. Just take the instant pudding (not the cook and serve) and follow the directions plus add about 1 and 1/2 scoops of unjury unflavored. You get the protein from the powder and the milk. Just mix with a wisk for 2 minutes. Its awesome. I like the no sugar added choc flavor pudding the best. If you add the powder to ready made pudding it will be disgusting. As far as the pills go. I take calcium 2 times a day (citrical makes a petite size pill), one chewable centrum, actigall, and trinsicon (this is the iron and b complex and never taken with the calcium) I get all of these down just fine without grinding. Hope this helps Melissa

Cindy- If you're still on soft stuff try peanut butter, refried beans, cottage cheese, SF applesauce, broth-y soups and/or eggs. Just remember to try to do protein first. Also work on your fluids and don't forget your supplements! Get into a routine now! Your appetite will slowly return (at least from my experience) and foods are all trial and error. Hang in there....it's difficult at first to figure out what works and what doesn't, but it gets easier and food doesn't consume your every thought (the what am I gonna eat, when am I gonna eat, what will stay down, etc.). Feel better! Christina S