Empty_Nest2001

I am just so paranoid about putting something in that may be "difficult" to digest! I did eat a little bit of the inside of a dill pickle spear with no ill effects! So I will definitely try it again. That's funny about the crackers because I was still on the stage 3 and the sample menu listed soda crackers with cheese as a snack. I jumped all over that! But I assumed because they practically dissolve in your mouth, they were okay. And I'm definitely watching my salt! Thank you all so much for the support!

I begin Stage 4, weeks 7 to 8 postop, next week; surgery was June 27. According to my nutrition class information, that begins the "regular diet, which includes fresh fruits and raw vegetables." What I'm really, really craving is a hamburger dill pickle or an olive, but I'm afraid those would be super difficult to digest. Has anyone had trouble with either/or? I'm a vegetarian, so all of these cheese screams for a little something on the side!!! Also, I noticed in someone else's post, their food plan didn't allow fresh fruits or vegetables until three months. How many of you started earlier than that? Any suggestions / advice would be greatly appreciated! I've been really, really nervous each time my food stage has changed!!!

I made these tonight, but I used low fat instead of natural Peanut Butter. And I couldn't believe how oily the dough was. It covered the cookie sheets. They're pretty good and will serve the purpose. I used half as much Truvia instead of sugar.

I was really cold the first week or so after surgery and now it's just from time to time. However, I used to absolutely freeze everyone out in my family. So this has been a welcome change! I keep a quilt by my chair to cover up with!

What you're describing is how I felt before I went an anti-depressant a few years ago. I just wanted to KILL somebody!! My husband, especially, couldn't do anything right! Once I went on a mild anti-depressant, it all evened out! My husband calls it my "happy" pill and he makes sure I don't run out of it!

Thanks guys! I just wanted some reassurance I think. And yes I feel better already, I think. My joints aren't hurting! I weighed today for the first time since my first doctor's visit and the total is almost (19.6) 20 pounds in two weeks. I can't believe it! I do have trouble getting the Water in between the carafate med and the time constraints, but I'm chipping away! Thanks again! P.S. I LOVE this site!

You can also use silica supplements along with the biotin. My mother takes at least two a day of each one of them. Also anything that has zinc in it promotes hair growth. Red Ken is a hair product sold in beauty shops. I had a period many years ago where I lost a great deal of hair following an illness. I started using the shampoo and the treatments which are geared toward stimulating your scalp to regrow the hair. Whether it would have stopped on its own, or whether the product did it, either way, it worked for me. My beautician says y ou do not have to lose your hair if you plan ahead with supplements and treatments!!! Hope this helps!

Hey! Today was the first day of my third week in which I moved to pureed/blenderized foods. So this is what I ate: 2 oz. Protein Shake 14 grams 1/4 c. cottate cheese 7 grams popsicle 1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter 3.5 grams 2 oz Protein shake 14 grams 1oz baked potato / 1 oz Greek Yoguft ~3/4 popsicle 2oz protein shake 14 grams I guess my question is, isn't that a lot of food? It seems like all I've done today is eat or think about what I'm going to eat next. I wish I could eat more than 2 oz., but I'm afraid to. And I still didn't get quite all my protent in, about 56 grams. My book says to eat four to six ounces at this stage!!! What did you do?

Thanks so much. You've definitely given me some other ideas/options!

Are mushy foods blenderized or pureed foods?

I'm nearly two weeks out (June 27) and will be ready to go from full liquids to blenderized/pureed food. I was just curious as to what you put in the blender? I'm a vegetarian, so it will be difficult for me. It's hard for me to imagine having to blenderize cottage cheese, but it does say to. It also allows string cheese and low-fat cheese that has been grated, so I assume I would have to blenderize that. I don't know about the Happy Cow Cheese; it's allowed, but I'm not sure how. I was thinking of just lightly blenderizing refried Beans (low-fat) and adding some finely shredded cheese. Or just blenderizing soupls like vegetarian vegetable, cream of celery or even a baked potato. To me these foods seem so very similar to the soft stage at weeks 4 & 5. I really do not see the difference. What I really want to do is blenderize a piece of pizza and some potato chips!!! Can you tell I'm not over the hunger part yet??? Suggestions????