SnowgirlnTX

I have been having difficulties with my eating for about a week, I blogged about my lunch episode on Friday. When I say difficulties I mean, I’ve been getting acid reflex (first time since being banded) and I get a lump in my throat from time to time. I have been able to eat and drink, but it’s been more challenging.
 
Over the weekend I decided I needed to see my doctor and find out what was going on. Either I am being paranoid or something isn’t right.
 
So, I was on the phone to my doctor’s office first thing this morning and fortunately they could squeeze me in this morning.
 
Upon arriving I was escorted to the x-ray room. Martha (the x-ray tech and support group leader, who is also banded) said, “What are you doing here girl?”
“I’m either paranoid or something isn’t right”, she laughed and said let’s find out.
 
We did a barium swallow and as my doctor said, “It looks perfect.”
 
“So, I am paranoid?”
 
“No, you are aware of your band and something changed.”
 
“So what am I doing wrong? Why the acid reflex now?”
 
“Could be you irritated your band in some way or it could be that you need a fresher on the basics. Size of your bit, how much you chew, time between bits. Maybe you need to get that egg timer back out that we gave you at your first post op visit.”
 
“Funny, just last night at dinner my husband had to tell me to slow down on my bits.”
 
We talked a little more and I was on my way feeling so much better. End result is something wasn’t right and that something was me. I was slipping back into old habits.
 
It’s time to dust off that egg timer, cut my bits smaller and chew, chew, chew. Everything I tell newbies to do.

I see a lot of newbies asking what they can have during this or that stage of the pre/post op diet. Doctors give different diets to different patients; however the foods on the different stages are often very similar. Here are the 4 stages I had during my post op diet (straight from my post op paperwork):
 
Stage 1: Clear Liquids
· Water
· Broth or the clear liquid poured off of soup (strain out solids, no creamy soup)
· Black coffee (may be sweetened with artificial sweetener; preferably decaf)
· Clear juices (not OJ ~ it’s not clear); 100% juice (not from concentrate)
· Crystal Light
· Sugar-free Jello (with no solid fruit)
· Sugar-free Popsicles
· Gatorade/Powerade
· Herbal teas (caffeine-free)
 
Stage 2: Liquids
· All clear liquids
· Protein shakes (low-fat, low-carb)
· Fat-free milk
· Orange Juice
· Low-fat instant breakfast mixes
· V8 juice
 
Stage 3: Full Liquids
· All clear liquids
· All liquids
· Apple sauce
· Oatmeal/cream of wheat (thinned)
· Smoothies
· Low-fat creamy soups (strained out solids)
· Puréed soups/vegetables
· Low-fat, low-sugar pudding
· Low-fat, low-sugar yogurt
· Puréed fruit
· Low-fat ice cream/frozen yogurt
 
Stage 4: Soft food (aka Mushy)
· All of the items on the liquid food list
· Tuna/egg/chicken salad
· Well-cooked mushy vegetables (no stalk or crunchy vegetable)
· Thinned scrambled eggs (if tolerated)
· Baby food
· Soft, over-cooked pasta
· Soft canned fruit (in natural juice)
· Thinned mashed potatoes
· Soft sweet potatoes/yams
· Thinned oatmeal
· Greek yogurt
· Thinned low-fat refried beans
· Low-fat cottage cheese
· Soft/rip bananas
 
This is just what MY doctor had for ME. Your doctor will have different orders. I wanted to post this list to give an idea of some of the things on each list.
 
I hope this helps.

And it is very easy to make. Here is my favorite recipe
 
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
 
1 Can chickpea/garbonza beans (15oz)
1/3 cup tahini (See note below)
¼ cup lemon juice
2 Tbs olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
½ - ¾ cup roasted red peppers
 
In a food processor, combine beans, tahini, lemon juice and olive oil. Process until smooth. Add red peppers and garlic until desired consistency.
 
I calculated the nutritional information based on ¼ cup serving:
Calories 154
Total Fat 11g
Sodium 190mg
Total Carbs 8.4g
Dietary fiber 3.2g
Sugars .9g
Protein 5.1g
 
Tahini is sesame seed butter. I find it with the peanut butter or in the international isle of the grocery store.
 
Enjoy!