My husband and I got matching Bands on our 15th wedding anniversary, June 25. Our post-op checkup on 7/6 revealed he had lost 17 pounds since surgery, and I had lost 19 pounds since surgery. Our post-op diet is similar to most: 7days liquids, 14 days creamed soups, soupy mashed potatoes, grits, yogart; 21 days canned meats. My hubby can eat anything. He is trying to contol his portion sizes and keep them to 4oz. He drinks 2 Muscle Milk Lights a day. He's working around the house everyday and getting stronger. I, on the other hand, am not doing so good. All the gas from the surgery collected in my shoulder. That's finally almost gone. For the first 6 days post-op, I got maybe 30oz of fluid per day. No protein. When we finally got to the creamed soup stage, I made no change in my diet for about 5 days. Then last week, I thought I was going to have to go back to the hospital because I was so weak and light-headed. I bought a bottle of orange juice and felt much better. I have not yet felt a hunger pain. I had rather have nothing that have broth or creamed soup or mashed potatoes. This past weekend, after I didn't think I could go any farther, I broke down and had a hotdog (without the bun) and maybe a tablespoon of beans. On Sunday, I attended a babyshower and had 4 fritos and 2 pigs in a blanket and for dinner I had maybe 1/4 cup beans and 1/2 hotdog. On Monday I had gained 3 pounds. I totally skipped the the canned meats stage.

I guess my question to all of you is what's the purpose for the post-op stages diets?

I'm very conscious of my portion sizes and bite sizes. I can't eat any meat, except processed without nearly choking. I'm so weak I don't feel like walking for exercise. I know, I know...my dietician preaches protein, protein, protein. That was my intent when I began eating SOME normal foods--to gain protein. I can't express how much I hate the shakes!

I'm afraid I've began to eat too soon. I don't want to stretch my stomach, but I've got to get some nutrients from somewhere.

What do you'll suggest?

I don't know if you like oatmeat but Quaker makes a weight loss oatmeal with 9 grams protein per serving that I think is delicious. 2 or 3 different flavors. Maybe that will help for a start.