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This was the third/final stage of "eating" after my wls...... After Day 41 I could eat regular foods as tolerated by my "pouch" ( my new stomach). I was required to be "eating" like this from day 35 to day 41 (1 week).

Disclaimer:

Several people have asked what I did/ate during my "soft foods" stage. Here's in part, what my surgeon and Barix Clinic gives it patients.

Please, please, follow your own surgeons advice and recommendations. These are what my program entails at this stage. Each patient and doctor are different.


EATING FOR HEALING SOFT FOODS GIVE YOU NEW OPTIONS

Congratulations on the progress you've made! This is your final eating step that lets your stomach fully heal and prepares it for a return to regular, healthy foods. Soon you will start the eating program you will keep for life and enjoy many of the foods you are familiar with.

It has been approximately five weeks since surgery, and your Barix Clinics' nutritionist has added soft foods to your eating program.

During the soft food step, it is important to take small bites and chew your food completely.

Many people actually have to relearn the chewing process. Foods must be smaller than an M&M when swallowed so they can fit through the stoma (the opening at the bottom of your pouch). Your food will not be broken down further until it meets up with the digestive juices in the small intestine. Master your new (and improved) chewing technique this week before you move on to regular foods.

As with the earlier steps of your eating for healing program, you still have to plan your eating and meals in several areas:

Six Small Meals

Restrict the size of meals to approximately 1/2 cup of soft foods, or for a liquid meal from 1 to 1-1/2 cups at a time. If you are not hungry, focus on getting adequate fluids and choose items that are a concentrated source of protein. A meal may be as simple as a glass of milk. Remember that six small meals help keep you from eating too much and help protect your small stomach pouch. They will also keep your blood sugar level within a desirable range, keeping your energy high and making you feel better.

In order to meet your protein goal, many find that their favorite protein drink from the Full Liquid step works great. Drinking is easier than eating. You'll start your day with more energy and be well on your way to meeting your protein goal.

You still need 64 ounces of fluid a day. While some fluid comes from your food, drink clear liquids and other recommended beverages to ensure you receive all the fluids you need.

Your Protein Needs

Continue to plan your meals to make sure you are receiving the protein you need to stay healthy. Eat slowly - stretch your meal out to 30 minutes or more.

Vitamins and Minerals

Continue with your chewable or liquid vitamins as you have throughout your healing process.

They are important to make sure you get the nutrients you need.

Soft Food Chart - What can I eat?

Beverages: 1/2 % milk, skim milk, buttermilk, decaf. coffee, decaf. tea, no-added-sugar hot cocoa, 100% juices, sugar-free drinks, full liquid high protein recipes

Breads: Toasted breads, plain crackers

Cereals: Cooked cereals, plain dry cereals softened in milk

Desserts: Plain no-added-sugar puddings, no-added-sugar ice cream, sugar-free popsicles, fruit-flavored yogurt

Fats: Limited amounts of butter or margarine, cream and cream substitutes, cooking fats and oils, lowfat gravies, lite whipped toppings, low sugar, fat-free salad dressings, "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!"® spray, fat-free mayonnaise

Fruits: Canned or cooked fruits without skin and packed in their own juice, 100% fruit or vegetable juice

Meats and Meat Substitutes: Ground meat and poultry (lowfat gravy or sauces may be added to moisten), soft flaked fish without bones, lowfat casseroles made of ground meat, flaked fish or cheese, lowfat cottage cheese, soft scrambled eggs and egg substitute

Potato or Substitute: Mashed potatoes, lowfat creamed potatoes, baked potatoes without the skin

Soups: Broth, bouillon, consomme, soups of meat

Sweets: 100% fruit spreads, sugar substitutes, sugar-free syrup, limited amounts of sugar-free candies, sugar-free cookies, sugar-free pies and cakes

Vegetables: Well-cooked soft vegetables without skin or seeds, vegetable juices

Miscellaneous: Seasonings (e.g., salt and pepper), ground spices, smooth condiments

Avoid

Any food/drinks containing carbonation or added sugar. Any food/drinks with seeds, dried fruits, nuts or high in added sugars or high in fat.

Raw eggs or eggs cooked less than 7 minutes, whole cuts of meat

Sample menus for soft foods

(Remember to sip fluids before your meal or snack, not during)

Menu 1

Breakfast: 1/2 cup scrambled egg substitute 1/2 slice toast with 100% fruit spread 1 chewable, sugar-free complete vitamin

Snack: 1/2 cup 100% fruit juice

Lunch: 1 serving Vanilla Shake using Matrix 5.0, Simply Vanilla

Snack: 1 string cheese

Dinner: 1/2 cup lean meat, ground 1/4 cup vegetables, cooked 1 chewable, sugar-free complete vitamin

Snack: 1/2 cup ready-to-eat cereal 1/4 cup skim milk

This sample menu provides 83 grams of protein.

Sip water throughout the day.

Menu 2

Breakfast: 1/2 cup ready-to-eat cereal 1/4 cup skim milk 1 chewable, sugar-free complete vitamin

Snack: 1 oz. fat-free cheese with 2 saltines

Lunch: 2 oz. lowfat meat, ground 1/4 cup vegetables, cooked

Snack: 1 serving Key Lime Pie using Any Whey Protein

Dinner: 1/4 cup cottage cheese 1/4 cup vegetable, cooked 1 chewable, sugar-free complete vitamin

Snack: 1 serving Protein Power hot cocoa using Matrix 5.0, Perfect Chocolate

This sample menu provides 108 grams of protem.

Sip water throughout the day.

TIP

Take small bites, eat slowly and chew foods well.

How much protein do various Soft Foods contain?

Serving Size/Protein Grams

Soft Food Choices Chicken or turkey, ground (4 oz. or 1/2 cup) 28 grams

Fish, soft flaky, baked (4 oz.) 28 grams

Meat, ground (4 oz. or 1/2 cup) 28 grams

Tuna fish, packed in water (1/2 cup) 24 grams

Cheese, cottage (1/2 cup) 14 grams

Egg (1 large) 7 grams

Cheese (1 oz.) 6 grams

Cheese, lowfat (1 oz.) 6 grams

Yogurt, no added sugar (1 cup) 5 grams

Ice cream, no added sugar (1/2 cup) 4 grams

Milk, buttermilk (1/2 cup) 4 grams

Milk, skim, 1/2%, 1 % (1/2 cup) 4 grams

Bread, toasted (1 slice) 2 grams

Cereals, cooked (1/2 cup) 2 grams

Cereals, ready to eat (1 oz.) 2 grams

Crackers, plain (1 oz.) 2 grams

Vegetables, cooked (1/2 cup) 2 grams

Fruits, canned, no added sugar (1/2 cup) o grams

Juice, 100% (1/2 cup) o grams

TIP

Remember to include concentrated liquid protein sources to meet your protein goal.

High protein full liquid recipes contain 17-58 grams of protein per serving to help you reach your protein goal.

Disclaimer:

Several people have asked what I did/ate during my "Full Liquids" foods stage.

Here's in part, what my surgeon and Barix Clinic gives it patients. I didn't try some of the recipes and ideas below, but I'll post them for you anyway.

Please, please, follow your own surgeons advice and recommendations. These are what my program entails at this stage. Each patient and doctor are different.

You'll also find suggestions on what to have on hand at home, for after surgery.

Full Liquids "Food" Ideas and Tips:

Here is a list of the liquids I was allowed to have, I got it from my nut at Barix, my notes are in the ( ), (liquids are considered anything that will melt at body temp, as per my nut, might want to check with yours to be sure though)

Full Liquids:

Beef, chicken or veggie broth, canned, powdered, bullion or in the box ( I liked the boxed ones best, better taste)
Decaf teas, coffees
All Crystal Light or store brand equvliant
SF Jellos
SF kool aid, Lemonaid
SF Popsicles
SF Fudgecicles
SF chewable vitamins
Skim milk
Protein powders, RTD, 2 grams or less of added sugar
Yougart, smooth, no sugar added, suggesting: Dannon light n fit, Dannon light n fit with fiber, Dannon light n fit creamy, Dannon light n fit smoothie, Blue bunny light 85, Blue bunny light 85 smoothie, Blue bunny carb freedom, Blue bunny carb freedom smoothie, Activia light.
No sugar added Juices 100%, including veggie or citrus ( fruit juices I diluted 50/50)
No sugar added Hot cocoa mixes (swiss mix makes this)
SF puddings
Soups, blended and strained, avoid tomato, sugar content is to high( I had the regular soups, always checking the sugar first, I'd blend it in my magic bullett then heat up, it was my life saver through this stage!)

Suggestion of ingredients to have on hand:

Splenda
Fresh, canned or Frozen fruits, no sugar added
Cool whip lite or cool whip free
Cottage cheese
peanut butter (simply jiff is a good choice)
Orance juice 100%
Yogurts, unflavored
SF General Foods International Coffee
Crystal Light SF or no sugar added chocolate syrup
Nestle quik no sugar added

(these are ingredients I used in my protein shake recipes, if you need some, let me know and I'll email them to you, some are REALLY good!)

Non-Food items you might consider:

Blender or magic bullet
Fine mesh strainer
baby spoons (walmart has 16 count pack of disposable/reusuable spoons for $2.50)
4 oz containers(walmart has the rubermaid ones for a couple of dollars I still use these at 7 months out!)

I hope thses ideas help you out, I bought just a can or container of a few things to see what I liked and could tolerate. Eventually trying them all LOL

Hello there!

Several people have asked what I did/ate during my "pureed foods" stage. Here's in part, what my surgeon and Barix Clinic gives it patients. I didn't try some of the recipes and ideas below, but I'll post them for you anyway.

Please, please, follow your own surgeons advice and recommendations. These are what my program entails at this stage. Each patient and doctor are different.

EATING FOR HEALING YOUR NEW STEP TO PUREED FOODS

Your success has brought you to an important new step in your nutrition program and your new life!
Now you will add more familiar foods to your program.
However, they will still need to be in an easily digestible form that will allow your stomach to continue healing.

Our focus is on you and your healthy recovery.
It is important that you continue to follow your Barix Clinics'caregiver's instructions regarding when you can
introduce new foods into your nutrition program.

This will help to speed your recovery, prevent gastric difficulties and prepare you for a return to solid,
healthy, "normal" foods.

In this section, you'll learn more about the choices you can make to maximize your weight loss,
make healthy food-buying decisions and minimize any gastric discomfort.

Three weeks after surgery, your Barix Clinics nutritionist will have you begin eating pureed (or blended) foods.
You will eat food in this consistency for two weeks. Pureed food is food that is a smooth consistency.
There are three ways to get food with this consistency:

· Use foods with naturally smooth consistency, such as applesauce or mashed potatoes.

· Purchase baby food. If you choose to do this, remember to read the labels to avoid added sugars.
Use only first or second stage foods and choose mostly meat products, as these are the best sources of protein.

· Puree your own foods. You can do this easily with a blender, food processor or baby food grinder.
Choose foods that are not high in fat or sugar. Add liquids such as broth, milk or water, and mix in blender until smooth.
There should not be any pieces of food left in the mixture; it should be a smooth consistency.

To prevent wasting food and to save time, many of our patients put blended food into ice cube trays,
freeze them and place cubes into plastic bags. When you are ready to eat, just microwave a few cubes and you have a meal.

Remember your protein needs

Meet your protein needs during the pureed food phase by choosing foods that are high in protein.
Eat foods that are high in protein first.Then, if you have room, eat pureed fruits and vegetables.

Careful meal planning will help ensure that you are getting enough protein.

Several recipes in this section will give you ideas for foods that meet the criteria for the pureed food stage.
Be sure to ask your Barix Clinics nutritionist if you need more ideas or have questions about this step of your
eating program.

Please remember:
· Continue with chewable or liquid vitamins to meet daily vitamin and mineral requirements.
· Continue to sip 64 ounces of fluid each day.
· You may now drink full-strength juices without diluting.
· Continue to avoid concentrated sweets and high fat foods.
· Sip liquids slowly.

Tips for pureed foods

· You can use any meat that you have baked, broiled or poached for your family.
If you want a smoother consistency, mix it with a small serving of cooked cream of rice cereal and milk.
You can make the pureeing process easier by adding a little broth or water.
Meats cooked in a crock pot are particularly tender and easy to puree.

· Cut foods into small pieces before placing in the blender or food processor.

· Frozen entrees may be pureed. Check labels for sugar content. Add broth or milk, and puree until smooth.

· Use milk, broth, lowfat gravy or water for moisture.

· You can use a blender, food processor or baby food grinder to puree foods.
Blenders work better on fruits and vegetables; food processors and baby food grinders work better on meats.

· You may want to make two or more servings at one time and freeze leftovers in serving bowls.

How much protein do various pureed foods contain?

Food/Beverage

Protein/Serving

Chicken or Turkey, pureed (4 oz or 1/2 cup) ... 28 grams
Meat, pureed (2 oz) ... 28 grams
Cheeseburger, pureed... 12 grams
Roast Beef, pureed... 27 grams
Chicken Stew, pureed... 16 grams
Cottage Cheese, mashed (1/2 cup)... 15 grams
Spicy Mexican Fiesta... 14 grams
Tuna Salad, pureed (20z)... 13 grams
Grilled Cheese, Pureed... 12 grams
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
TIP

Remember to include concentrated liquid protein sources to meet your protein goal.
High protein full liquid recipes contain 17-58 grams of protein per serving to help you reach your protein goal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HIGH PROTEIN PUREED FOOD RECIPES

Consider these ideas in planning your high protein meals.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

High Protein Oatmeal

1/2 cup quick cooking oats 3/4 cup milk, skim 1 scoop Any Whey Protein

Place oats and 1/2 cup milk into microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 45 seconds. Add Any Whey to 1/4 cup milk in a glass and stir until dissolved.
Stir the protein mixture into the cooked oatmeal.
Use Splenda or sugar free syrup to sweeten if desired.

Nutrition Information per Serving:
Calories 274; Protein 28 grams; Fat 2.5 grams;
Sodium 124 mg; Calcium 306 mg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cheeseburger

3 oz. lean hamburger 1 slice fat-free cheese 2 tbsp. warm beef broth 1/2 hamburger bun

Cook beef and drain fat. Add all ingredients except beef broth to blender and puree on high.
Gradually add beef broth to desired consistency.

Yield: 1 serving Calories 309; Protein 27.0 grams
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chicken Stew

1 cup chicken, cooked and cubed 1/4 cup rice, cooked 1/4 cup mixed vegetables, cooked 1/4 cup chicken broth 1/4 cup skim milk 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk

Blend together.

Yield: 3 servings Calories (per serving) 120; Protein (per serving) 15.0 grams

French Toast

1 slice frozen french toast "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!"® spray 3 tbsp. warm sugar-free syrup

Warm french toast according to package instructions. Spray with "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!"® spray. Cut into quarters. Place all ingredients in blender. Puree on high until smooth consistency is achieved.

Yield: 1 serving Calories 171; Protein: 4.0 grams
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Grilled Cheese

1 slice bread 2 slices fat-free American cheese "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!"® spray 3 tbsp. warm skim milk

Heat nonstick pan over medium heat. Spray one side of bread with "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!"® spray. Place buttered side down on pan, top with cheese and heat until cheese melts and bread is toasted brown. Fold sandwich in half and cut into four pieces. Place in blender and puree on high, adding milk until smooth.
Adjust the amount of milk used for thicker or thinner consistency.

Yield: 1 serving Calories 146; Protein 12.0 grams
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
High Protein Breakfast Shake

1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt 1/4 cup skim milk 1/2 small banana 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk

Mix all ingredients together in blender.

Yield: 1 serving Calories 162; Protein 12.0 grams
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roast Beef

4 oz. roast beef, cooked 6 tbsp. lowfat beef gravy

Chop roast beef into small pieces. Blend on high speed, gradually adding gravy until desired consistency.

Note: may substitute chicken and chicken gravy or turkey and turkey gravy.

Yield: 2 servings Calories (per serving) 126; Protein (per serving) 16.0 grams
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tuna Salad

1 - 6 oz. can light tuna in spring water, drained 2 tbsp. fat free Miracle Whip® 1 tsp. mustard 1/2 tsp. onion powder 1/4 tsp. celery salt

Add all ingredients to blender. Puree on high until smooth. Refrigerate.

Note: May substitute canned chicken for tuna.

Yield: 3 servings Calories (per serving) 60; Protein (per serving) 12 grams

Protein Power Gravy

1 cup Heinz® Fat Free Chicken Gravy 1 5 oz. can Swanson® Premium Chicken Breast

Add gravy and chicken to blender. Blend until a smooth consistency.
Place one serving in a loosely covered container and microwave on high for approximately 40 seconds.
Refrigerate remaining gravy unit! ready for use. Makes 2 (1/2 cup) servings.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories 115; Protein 18 grams; Fat 2 grams;
Sodium 1088 mg; Calcium 0 mg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TIP

Use evaporated fat free milk to make mashed potatoes.
It contains twice the protein of milk and gives potatoes a rich, creamy texture and flavor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Protein Power Beef and Baked Potato

1 18.5 oz. can Progresso® Beef and Baked Potato Soup 1 2.5 oz. pkg. thin sliced lean beef

Add soup and beef to blender. Blend until a smooth consistency.
Place one serving in a loosely covered container and microwave on high for approximately 40 seconds.
Refrigerate remaining Protein Power Beef and Baked Potato until ready to use. Makes 3 (1/2 cup) servings.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories 83; Protein 7 grams; Fat 3 grams;
Sodium 683 mg; Calcium 0 mg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Protein Power Chicken Noodle Soup

1 18.6 oz. can Campbell's® Select Chicken with Egg Noodles Soup 1 10 oz. can Hormel® Premium Chunk Breast of Chicken

Add soup and chicken to blender. Blend until a smooth consistency.
Place one serving in a loosely covered container and microwave on high for approximately 40 seconds.
Refrigerate remaining Protein Power Chicken Noodle Soup until ready to use. Makes 6 (1/2 cup) servings.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories 78; Protein 11 grams; Fat 1 gram;
Sodium 538 mg; Calcium 0 mg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Protein Powered Vegetables and Beef

1 18.6 oz. can Campbell's® Select Vegetable Beef Soup 1/2 can 12 oz. Hormel® Roast Beef

Add soup and beef to blender. Blend until a smooth consistency.
Place one serving in a loosely covered container and microwave on high for approximately 40 seconds.
Refrigerate remaining Protein Power Vegetables and Beef until ready to use. Makes 6 (1/2 cup) servings.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories 7; Protein 6 grams; Fat 3 gram;
Sodium 437 mg; Calcium 0 mg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Protein Power Turkey Stew

1 15 oz. can Dinty Moore® 99% Fast Free Turkey Stew 1 5 oz. can Hormel® Premium Chunk White Turkey

Add stew and turkey to blender. Blend until a smooth consistency.
Place one serving in a loosely covered container and microwave on high for approximately 40 seconds.
Refrigerate remaining Protein Power Turkey Stew until ready to use. Makes 4 (1/2 cup) servings.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories 101; Protein 11 grams; Fat 3 grams;
Sodium 643 mg; Calcium 1 mg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spicy Mexican Fiesta

1/2 cup fat free refried beans 1/2 cup Old EI Paso® Seasoned Ground Beef 3/4 cup reduced fat sour cream 1/4 cup salsa

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend until a smooth consistency. ~lace one serving in a loosely covered container and microwave on high for approximately 40 seconds. Refrigerate remaining Spicy Mexican Fiesta until ready to use. Makes 2 (1/2 cup) servings.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories 190; Protein 11 grams; Fat 8 grams;
Sodium 820 mg; Calcium 70 mg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cheesy Beef

1/2 cup Old EI Paso® Seasoned Ground Beef 2 Tbsp Taco Bell® Salsa Con Queso

Add ingredients to blender. Blend until a smooth consistency. Place one serving in a loosely covered container and microwave on high for approximately 30 seconds. Makes 1 (1/2 cup) servmg.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories 220; Protein 13 grams; Fat 13 grams Sodium 1040 mg; Calcium 30 mg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cheesy Chili

1 can (7 3/8 oz.) Hormel® Chili - No Beans 1/3 cup Taco Bell® Salsa Con Queso

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend until a smooth consistency. Place one serving in a loosely covered container and microwave on high for approximately 40 seconds. Refrigerate remaining Cheesy Chili until ready to use.
Makes 2 (1/2 cup) servings.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories 128; Protein 8 grams; Fat 6 grams;
Sodium 650 mg; Calcium 30 mg
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TIP

Sprinkle your favorite Nectare, flavor on cottage cheese for a fruity treat. Mash with a fork before eating.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Soft Food Chart - What can I eat?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beverages
1/2 % milk, skim milk, buttermilk, decaf. coffee, decaf. tea, no-added-sugar hot cocoa, 100% juices,
sugar-free drinks, full liquid high protein recipes

Avoid:
Any containing carbonation or added sugar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Breads
Toasted breads, plain crackers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cereals
Cooked cereals, plain dry cereals softened in milk
Avoid:
Any with added sugars or high in fat
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Desserts
Plain no-added-sugar puddings, no-added-sugar ice cream, sugar-free popsicles, fruit-flavored yogurt
Avoid:
Any with seeds, dried fruits, nuts or high in added sugars or high in fat
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fats
Limited amounts of butter or margarine, cream and cream substitutes, cooking fats and oils, lowfat gravies,
lite whipped toppings, low sugar, fat-free salad dressings, "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!"® spray,
fat-free mayonnaise
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fruits
Canned or cooked fruits without skin and packed in their own juice, 100% fruit or vegetable juice
Avoid:
All Others
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meats and Meat Substitutes

Ground meat and poultry (lowfat gravy or sauces may be added to moisten), soft flaked fish without bones,
lowfat casseroles made of ground meat, flaked fish or cheese, lowfat cottage cheese, soft scrambled eggs
and egg substitute

Avoid:
Raw eggs or eggs cooked less than 7 minutes, whole cuts of meat
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Potato or Substitute
Mashed potatoes, lowfat creamed potatoes, baked potatoes without the skin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Soups
Broth, bouillon, consomme, soups of meat

Avoid:
Any with large pieces
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sweets
100% fruit spreads, sugar substitutes, sugar-free syrup, limited amounts of sugar-free candies,
sugar-free cookies, sugar-free pies and cakes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vegetables
Well-cooked soft vegetables without skin or seeds, vegetable juices
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seasonings (e.g., salt and pepper), ground spices, smooth condiments
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sample menus for soft foods

(Remember to sip fluids before your meal or snack, not during)

Menu 1

Breakfast:

1/2 cup scrambled egg substitute 1/2 slice toast with 100% fruit spread 1 chewable, sugar-free complete vitamin

Snack:

1/2 cup 100% fruit juice

Lunch:

1 serving Vanilla Shake using Matrix 5.0, Simply Vanilla

Snack:

1 string cheese

Dinner:

1/2 cup lean meat, ground 1/4 cup vegetables, cooked 1 chewable, sugar-free complete vitamin

Snack:

1/2 cup ready-to-eat cereal 1/4 cup skim milk

This sample menu provides 83 grams of protein.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sip water throughout the day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Menu 2

Breakfast:

1/2 cup ready-to-eat cereal 1/4 cup skim milk 1 chewable, sugar-free complete vitamin

Snack:

1 oz. fat-free cheese with 2 saltines

Lunch:

2 oz. lowfat meat, ground 1/4 cup vegetables, cooked

Snack:

1 serving Key Lime Pie using Any Whey Protein

Dinner:

1/4 cup cottage cheese 1/4 cup vegetable, cooked 1 chewable, sugar-free complete vitamin

Snack:

1 serving Protein Power hot cocoa using Matrix 5.0, Perfect Chocolate

This sample menu provides 108 grams of protein.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sip water throughout the day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TIP

Take small bites, eat slowly and chew foods well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How much protein do various Soft Foods contain?

Soft Food Choices:

Chicken or turkey, ground (4 oz. or 1/2 cup)
Fish, soft flaky, baked (4 oz.)
Meat, ground (4 oz. or 1/2 cup)
Tuna fish, packed in water (1/2 cup)
Cheese, cottage (1/2 cup)
Egg (1 large) Cheese (1 oz.)
Cheese, lowfat (1 oz.)
Yogurt, no added sugar (1 cup)
Ice cream, no added sugar (1/2 cup)
Milk, buttermilk (1/2 cup)
Milk, skim, 1/2%, 1 % (1/2 cup)
Bread, toasted (1 slice)
Cereals, cooked (1/2 cup)
Cereals, ready to eat (1 oz.)
Crackers, plain (1 oz.)
Vegetables, cooked (1/2 cup)
Fruits, canned, no added sugar (1/2 cup)
Juice, 100% (1/2 cup)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TIP

Remember to include concentrated liquid protein sources to meet your protein goal.
High protein full liquid recipes contain 17-58 grams of protein per serving to help you reach your protein goal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sample menus for pureed foods

Menu 1:

Breakfast:
1 Iced Mocha using Any Whey protein 1 chewable, sugar-free complete vitamin

Snack:
1 Root Beer Float

Lunch:
1/2 cup pureed soup 1/4 cup pureed fruit 1/4 cup pureed vegetable

Snack:
1/4 cup cottage cheese 1 sugar-free popsicle

Dinner:
1/4 cup mashed potatoes 1/2 cup Protein Power gravy 1 chewable, sugar-free complete vitamin

Snack:
1 cup hot cocoa using Matrix 5.0, perfect chocolate

This sample menu provides 117 grams of protein.

 

Current picture of me.

 

 

Down 122 pounds. About 70 pounds to go. The surgeon never gave me a "goal weight". So I've looked it up online. It suggests for my 5' 5" height, I weigh  between 130 - 150. So..... we'll see.

I'm not stressing over the number. Just taking all I'm given.

 

 

It's been awhile, but man have we been busy!

Having this surgery has opened up the world to me in so many ways. The following blog have things I haven't ever done, or has been a really long time since doing so.

In the past couple of months alone, we've planted a small garden, (our first ever, next year we plan on having a 25' X 25' garden plot) we've cleared out the side yard for the elderly lady next door ( yes, free! I love doing this stuff! Go figure!). I've posted some pics of "befores and afters" of the area, and of our gardening results, so far. Click here to take a peek see.

We had a family cookout, I was actually able to participate  by cooking, visiting with others there, I got a game of badminton started and helped with the cleaning up. That was so nice, actually BEING a part of the party and not just a wallflower. We'd been invited and attended several graduations cook outs and wedding parties. I love being able to walk around and not worry if I'll be ok because I might get to hot. The weather doesn't even bother me anymore. I used to hate the hot sunny days, now I so look forward to them!

As of today, I've lost 117 pounds, and plan on continuing my progress. I'm at a point where I'm not obsessing about it. I have to many fun things to do instead!

I hate going to the gym, I want to see instant results! lol I've never been a patient person. If I have to break a sweat, give me gardening and yard work. But, now that the yard work is done, (except the weeding, and that doesn't take long) I'm having to look for other ways to get a workout that I enjoy... that leaves; house cleaning!  YES! house cleaning! I never thought I'd love doing that either! I'm taking 1 room at a time, starting with the scrubbing the ceiling, walls and working my way down to scrubbing the floors with bucket and scrub brush. The next thing will be having the carpets shampooed, I'll have someone come in and do them, those Rug Doctors© are a total waste of money! For a few dollars more I can get a real professional cleaning on the carpets!

I've still been taking Miss Tippi on her walks, but after 2 miles her little legs are tired, so i break it up into 3 or 4 walks a day, we both like going. Each time we head in a different direction.

Last week, we went to Yogi Bear Park & Campground for the day. And yes, I wore a bathing suit and went in the pool! Hell, if I can wear one at 344 pounds, 227 is even better! People know it's hotter than hell when I wear that! LOL Screw 'em, God made heads to turn, so do it! We had a blast! Got cooled off, and tanned, had a nice picnic together! Forgot all of our cares for awhile, That was nice.

I've been listing my clothes that no longer fit, on eBay, and getting money to buy my protein shakes and bars that way. I haven't spent much on clothes, when I do, it's yard sales and the Goodwill store. I'm not buying anything new (well, except undies/bras/shoes/socks) until I'm a hell of a lot closer to goal weight! I do need new shoes, I haven't had a new pair since before surgery and even those have gotten to big!

Anyway, I guess that's it for now, gotta find something else to do, I can't sit still for to long, there's just to much living to do!

 

 

 

I've had quite a few WOW moments since my last update.

Dan and I put in a small garden. We've never had one before and so are just doing a few plants, 10 corn, 3 green beans, 1 tomato, 1 bell pepper, 3 cukes, just kind of "experimenting" so to speak. If we do well with these, we'll put in a bigger, better one next year.

We also planted some wildflowers, morning glory, California poppy, Shasta Daisy's, Hosta in various places in the yard. We don't have a rototiller, so we prepared the areas with just a shovel, garden rake and hoe. Boy, it was a work out, pulling up all that sod, moss and weeds!But it was actually fun! I can't wait to see the results in a few weeks, it's cool, knowing that you've had an actual hand in making your part of the earth pretty. I wasn't able to do that last year. It was cool being able to get on my knees and dig in the dirt and get back up with grace, and without help!

More WOW moments...., Dan has only mowed the yard one time this year, I keep beating him to it! LOL I figure he works hard enough, and I love doing it now, and am able to! So, why not, right? lol

I'm able to comfortably ride my 10 speed bike Dan bartered for me. He traded one of his fire department ( he's a volunteer) emergency light bars for it and a couple of things he had wanted. Otherwise we couldn't have afforded to buy one. I'm up to 3 miles at a time now, not to bad I guess, for having it less than a month.

We were in Wal-Mart the other day, saw Dan's niece, she was going on her break, saw Dan and said HI, i few minutes later she came around the corner and screamed "CYNDY! Is that YOU"! lol
She didn't recognize me at first and wanted to know who Dan was with! LOL It's these "little" things that really make having this surgery so very worth it. 

I'm feeling so much better, looking better and able to really live now! I'm not afraid to go places and hope they have "sturdy chairs", or not a lot of stair steps. I actually have Dan park the car in one of the farthest parking spaces from the buildings, just so we can walk farther for more exercises. I hate going to the gym, it's so freaking boring! I'd rather clean house, mow the yard, wash the car or truck, anything,  and see instant results! 

My labs are doing very well, well above the "acceptable" numbers. Some have asked what supplements I'm taking and when. So here it goes:

2-One Source Prenatal vitamins -(wal-mart, $5.00, 120 count)
1-Rexall Biotin, 1500 mcg-(wal-mart, $5.00, 240 count)
1-Solaray B-12 sublingual, 2000mcg -(vitamin world, whole foods, $11.50, 90 count)
4-Citrical Creamy Bites, calcium citrate 500 mg each & Vit D 200 IU each-(wal-mart, $6.00, 30 count)
1-Zyrtec, prescription, for allergies

I take the first 3 and my Zyrtec at 9 am, and the calciums throughout the day. So far, it's been working great for me.

I think I've hit the dreaded plateau, I shouldn't bitch, I've been losing very steadily until recently. I'm not worried, when my body is ready to lose more it'll do so. I have switched up my eating routine and "workout". As I said, I hate going to the gym, I find things to do to keep moving. We'll see how it goes. 

Updated pictures........

Goofing around with Dan.....

I'll try to get better pictures on here soon.

It's 106 pounds lost so far, oh and if you find them, DO NOT send them my way! LOL

I've really been feeling great! I was able to walk all over town with hubby last weekend at our city wide yard sales. Took about 8 hours but we managed to get to them all! I had absolutely no trouble with walking to them all, and only stopped for a quick lunch! I did manage to find quite a few cute tops and a sweats outfit, sizes XL, thinking I'd shrink into them soon. I tried them on after getting home and OMG! THEY FIT! yeeeeeeehaw!  I haven't been able to wear that size in over 20 long years!  I just couldn't believe it! Hubby was so proud! He's been so great through all of this, I couldn't be more blessed! 

Dan surprised me with a brand new 10 speed bike, he bartered one of his spare firefighter vehicle lights for it!  He's to sweet!  Yet another thing I hadn't done in years I can now do! So I usually ride for a couple of miles in the morning, then come home and take my new furchild, Tippi, for her walk. She's gotten better at it; she knows no stopping to smell things when leaving the house, and on the way home she can stop to her hearts content! Gotta keep the pace steady for the first mile, after that it's her trip! lol She's such a hoot! 
2 miles is plenty long enough for her, with her short legs that's a super long trek! But she's doing well with it and has lost a couple of pounds too, the vet is happy! LOL

I've slowed down in the weigh loss department I think, but as we all know that is to be expected. I've added more water/liquids to my day and try to do my exercises differently each day, trying to "shake things up". We'll see how that goes.

Until next time kids.......

What's the "Century Club" you ask? It's what we call ourselves when we've lost 100 pounds!  And I've made it!



As of today, 101 pounds to be exact, every pound counts too  by gawd! lol

Hubby asked what I wanted for my making my first major goal..... I want a furchild!  LOL  Yup I do, I miss my furchildren! Soooo, next week we'll be adopting a beagle, she's 3 years old, has been spayed,is crate trained, housebroken, loves her car rides, walks and cuddles. I'm so excited!  lol

I'll post her picture for you to see.



 

Yesterday, I went to see my PCP for a regular check up, it had been since September, 2006, since I had last seen him. I had my RNY November, 2006. So, he hasn't seen me since my surgery.

I was checking in with the receptionist, and my doctor walked by, didn't say anything, just looked at me really strange.

I waited for him in the exam room, he came in shook my hand and asked what I was there for. I just sat there grinning like an idiot LOL, I just told him it had been awhile. A light bulb went off over his head! LOL  NOW he knew who I was he recognized my voice! lol He was sooo surprised I have lost so much in the 5 months since surgery. He was thrilled. And I was happy! He's basically the only person that has noticed and/or said anything about my weightloss. I LOVED IT lol

I decided to "show" my progress via a chart. I've been promising pictures, just gotta get a few minutes and take some. I'll post them asap. Until then.........

My Weight Chart: