My doctor put me on a four-week post-op diet. Weeks 1 and 2 are a liquid only diet. Week 3 consists of pureed foods, and Week 4 consists of soft foods. Although technically the end of my second week isn't until next Tuesday, I'm shaving a couple of days off the two week period and calling Sunday the last day of Week 2. I'll be starting Week 3 on Monday.

The New Dimensions protein variety packs contain seven packs. Six of them are what I'd call desserts: vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, hot chocolate, chocolate pudding, etc. Only one of them, Cream of Chicken, isn't. My mid-day snacks are Cookies and Cream protein mixes. All of this sounded great pre-surgery, but let me tell you, eating four or five desserts a day for two weeks gets old. Fast.

I've bought some of that flavorless protein power and have been dumping it into cans of Cream of (Whatever) soup -- Cream of Chicken, Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Celery, etc. I never thought something like Cream of Celery soup would taste so good to me, but it sure is a nice break from all the sweet drinks. Next time around, I'll be buying some non-sweet drinks and mixes.

I can't remember if I mentioned it here in the blog or not, but my daily protein goal is 115g, which basically means eating five times a day. By late in the evening I'm not even hungry and I'm having to force down these shakes, but I'm trying to adhere to doctor's orders.

In other news, my shoulder pain is almost gone completely now. Occasionally it'll still flare up, but over the past 3 days the worst it's got is maybe a 2 out of 10. Sure beats the 10 out of 10s I was having just a few days ago.

Hi there,

I have to ask you, did having a BM really alleviate your shoulder pain?

I have been going through the same pain in one spot, and I can't get rid of it. I have tried everything else, am considering taking some ex-lax tonight or something...god this is brutal!!! :(