Question:
Suggestions for first post-op solids?

Tomorrow I will be given the go to solids from a soft liquid diet and I went to the grocery store today. All I managed to buy was potatoes and squash. I felt panicky and paralyzed (part of it could have been being in a supermarket) and just bought more soft liquid stuff: pudding, jello, cream of wheat. I also need some suggestions for packed lunches (microwave available). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!    — susanje (posted on January 16, 2003)

January 16, 2003
Hi, Susan. I sure know how you feel. I am 2 months post op (open RNY 10/30/02, -70lbs) and traveled this road cautiously. I too started out on clears to soft. I am now 'experimenting' on foods from a general diet. I still do not like many foods. Just do not taste right. I still find myself going back to the cottage cheese and soup. Just the other evening, I tried salad. I LOVED it and it tasted soooooo good. My tastes have definitely changed. I eat protein first, like we are instructed. Just go slow and really listen to your body. It won't like anything that is not good for you, most likely...at first anyway. Don't be afraid. I still do not like meat and chicken. One thing I do enjoy....Breakfast: I use my medicine cup the hospital gave to me (actually they gave me a dozen) and measure two cupfuls of egg whites that come in the milk like carton. I cook it in a teeeeeeny bit of I Can't Believe it is Not Butter in a small round skillet. Then I cut it into strips and put it on a piece of Wasa Sesame cracker. YUM! Very satisfying. I will have one medicine cup of baby peaches. I still eat the baby peaches. I love it over my cottage cheese too. Good luck and enjoy!
   — Ginger M.

January 16, 2003
Hi there, Susan! When I was finally given permission to go to solids, I was so nervous that I would get sick off of anything that I did the same thing, continued on soft. But what I did was each day I would add one new solid, making sure that I wasn't going to get sick or dump on it. Maybe that's something you could try. As far as packed lunches, maybe you could try a lean cuisine? Only eat half or take only half with you. I can still only manage to get half of one in and I'm 3 1/2 months post. Hope it helps, Vi open RNY 9/23/02 down 87 lbs.
   — Vi F.

January 16, 2003
I know just what you mean. I had my Open RNY 17Dec02, when I was given the Go-ahead I was scared as well. What works for me is I started with like Chicken Breast, and they say to cut into Pencil- Eraser size. I was surprised how Easy it was/is going down. Grilled Chicken Breast is still my Fave! Also, Try NEW things only when at home, just incase you have to run to the bathroom. its all trial and error. Just Chew, Chew Chew! God Bless R~
   — Raelynn W.

January 17, 2003
Try very thinly sliced deli meats wrapped around thin slices of cheese, also tunafish/egg or minced chicken salad over crackers. Keep stick cheese, cottage cheese cups at work for snacks. Peanut butter on crackers is a good snack at work too. I still have my scrambled egg with melted cheese for breakfast every morning-either eat at home or put in atupperware container and heat up at work. Don't be afraid to try new foods but I would try most of them at home first just to be sure.
   — Cindy R.