Question:
I had my surgery on August 2,2000 and I have lost about thirty pounds since then.

i also lost 40 pounds before the surgery. I am very afraid right now, because I can hardly stand anything. If anyone can help me, Please give me a sample of what you use or used for a meal. I have kids and cooking for them is getting to be just another excuse to eat thier food. Please help,me if you can.    — Ruth K. (posted on October 30, 2000)

October 30, 2000
At 3 months out I was eating most any food and really haven't had trouble with not keeping anything down. I like casseroles. The family likes them and they are moist. Cooked chicken, add 1 can of each fat free celery and cream of chicken soup, 1 can of chicken broth,1/4 cup fat free sour cream. Mix together. Put in a rectangular pan. Topping is one box of stovetop dressing: mix as on box. I pat this on top of mixture and bake at 350 til bubbly. It's great warmed over too. Chicken pot pie is good. Tuna and chicken salads go down well. Any baked or grilled fish does good too. Just chew, chew. Hope this helps. Email me if you have other questions. Lou Ann (open rny 1/13/00 down 96 pounds, 4 pounds to goal)
   — Lou Ann J.

October 31, 2000
Hi Ruth. I'm not really sure what you are asking help with here. By indicating that cooking for your children gives you an excuse to eat "their" food, I assume that you are saying that you can and want to eat more than you should and are choosing food that is not what you should be eating. But you also state that you can "hardly stand anything". Either way, it seems that you need to "shake up" your diet a little and get a tad more adventurous in your meal preparation, for both YOU and your children. You know you still have to eat high protein foods like chicken and/or fish in order to get your protein in everyday. This is not a bad diet for your children either. The preparation of your food should not be boring and by adding various seasonings or preparing different casserole-type meals is a good idea. Balance your meals with different veggies or low fat sauces and try to make your meals interesting, tasty and colorful. Everyone (especially kids) love hot dogs and there's no reason you can't have one right along with them. Healthy choice has some very good turkey dogs that are great "open faced". Cut them lenghwise after they're cooked and fill the dog itself with your condiments. Don't use a bun, but just eat them with a fork. Refried beans with melted low-fat cheese and salsa is a great high-protein "snack" OR a meal. Help the kids make their own "subs" with lots of turkey, low-fat ham or turkey-ham and low fat cheese slices...you have one too without the top slice of bread. Use your imagination with your meal preparation and stay within the boundries of what you know you're allowed to eat. It won't hurt your kids to share in your meals. I hope these suggestions help. You've come a long way sweetie...don't give up now. Good luck and God bless. cj
   — cj T.