gamergirl

I'm not that well-travelled yet. I'm only about 3 weeks post-op. But I can tell you, the post-op is MUCH harder than the pre-op. It's weeks and weeks where you are tired, you can't eat, you're hungry, you're nauseous, it would be easier to eat something that sounded good than have another Protein shake, you can't get your fluids in, your protein counts are in the toilet, you're in pain, you haven't chewed anything for five weeks...it's one thing after another for a few weeks, and that's with NO complications. And the problem is, a mistake could kill you, cause a leak, compromise your staples, or land you in the ER with some issues. The pre-op is a good time to learn compliance. I am not the best rule follower in the world. But if it's a choice between following rules and dying, I know which one I need to do. I hope I didn't come across as preachy. Opinionated, yes, preachy, no

I can empathize. I am getting them on full liquids just fine but pretty soon we start on solids and I really wonder how people eat enough to get them in. I get full on 4 oz of shakes!

Oops! That was supposed to be water Thanks for the catch.

Laura-ven posted a thread on why this is very bad for your body. I learned a lot from reading it. Hope you can find it, very illuminating.

So my two cents only, based on my limited experience and knowledge of myself. I can rationalize ANYTHING if I try hard enough. chocolate become a source of antioxidants, pizza becomes a balanced food, cake becomes an indulgence that keeps me from binging...on and on. Don't do that. Don't tell yourself it's okay because pickles are not that bad for you, it could have been something worse, etc. etc. The rules for the liquid pre-op are pretty simple. Don't break them. This is your chance to change your behaviors, to do something that seems impossible, and to SUCCEED at it. To go into surgery knowing you can succeed, and that you gave yourself the best chance for a successful outcome. Don't deprive yourself of that win. My post will likely be followed by some who will tell you what I think you want to hear--which is that it was okay. I hope you read mine and think of what I'm saying as well though. I remember your earlier post where I think you said you broke the pre-op too and wonder if you might benefit from talking to someone before the surgery? You now have another chance to get it right. Rooting for you to get there!

Just checked out the butternut squash one. I'd recommend staying away from the 1/4 c of flour and adding a sweet potato to the steaming instead, to thicken it. Honestly though, it looks like between the squash and the apple and flour/sweet potato, I'd log it to check the carbs first.

Hi there. We have been making all our soups with fresh vegetables since a week after post-op. I too have a vitamix and have posted 3-4 high Protein soups with onions, garlic, mushrooms, tomatoes, cauliflower etc. The two veggies I stayed away from we're corn because we were told to, and wait for it....asparagus. I just assumed that it would be too fibrous, but no one told me that. Honestly by the time that the vitamix has had it's way with your steamed asparagus, not even it's mother would recognize it so its probably okay May I make a suggestion? Use fat free evaporated milk or soft tofu in your soup instead of the half and half to add some protein while still making it creamy. You won't taste the tofu. The butternut squash, as long as it fits with your carbs, I don't see why not. Do check out my shrimp bisque, lobster bisque, and chicken and mushroom soups, all of which used fresh veggies and the incomparable vitamix. They are posted in my blog here. Enjoy!

For my first blood tests back today post 3 weeks from surgery. Good news: my thyroid dosage needs to be reduced, yay! Bad news? My CRP and Rheumatoid Factor are still way high, which means I need to get back on the RA drugs as soon as I can

Okay I'm not a vet but I'd like to say something. (People like me and/or comments like this one are why you probably need your own space!) I totally understand wanting to restrict posting rights. But I beg you, please do not restrict reading rights. I study the vets forum diligently every day. I am taking an extra week to recover from what my body needs, because I need to get my head in the right place to succeed, and I'm doing that by educating myself, by reading everythign I can lay my hands on, most especially the posts in the vets forum. The vets forum helps me understand that this will be a life-long struggle. It allows me to see WHY I need to build in the right habits right now. And it gives me an idea of why I may need to make time to visit VST and the community even when I think it's not a big part of my life. Peace out.

If what is true? That someone died at some unspecified time with an unspecified doctor in an unspecified location in Mexico? Probably. Sorry not trying to be rude, I don't understand the question.

I feel rather stupid asking this but pinky swear I searched the forum on my iPad and I didn't see an answer. So once we start solids, we can't drink liquids with our meal. 15 mins before, 30 mins after etc I get it. But how do I eat Soup? I am absolutely expiring for some Korean soondubu tofu soup. The best parts of the soup are the fiery spicy broth, and the extra silken soft tofu and the yummy beef strips in it. What order do I eat these in?

So I did the soondubu tonight by eating just the broth and the super silken, super-soft tofu. Om nom nom! I mushed up the tofu in the broth and if you squint hard, it looks JUST like a full liquid. No solids though.

Btw, I take thyroid and my husband takes Cymbalta and we've not had issues with it. In fact my husband was able to reduce his dose. We are 2.5 weeks post op.

So check with your doc or NUT but we were SO exhausted on 35-40 carbs they I couldn't get out of bed for 3 days. Our doc told us to increase carbs a tiny bit. I can't tell you the difference 1/4c of beans a day has made to my husband and me. Increasing complex carbs to 50-60 has given me my brain back.

What are your calorie, protein and carb levels like?

I'm on a full liquids stage, and this is a full liquid. Too watery for purée I think.

Massively simplified from Cook's Illustrated's Best Light recipes (The fav cooking magazines of geeks all over). Spicy, flavorful and high Protein. Ingredients 8 c low sodium chicken broth 1.5 lbs chicken with bone but no skin 1 large onion peeled & quartered 4 garlic cloves peeled and crushes 10 springs cilantro Salt 2 medium tomatoes cored and quarteredl 1/2 jalapeno 1 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce + 1 tsp adobo sauce (must have. It comes in a can, ask the grocery store folks for it.) 1 tsp veg oil 1 fresh lime or some lime juice Method 1. Combine broth, chicken, half the onion (quartered). half the garlic, cilantro and salt. Cook on medium-low for 20 mins or until the chicken is tender. Debone, put the whole thing into a blender and puree well. 2. Put the remaining onion, garlic, tomatoes, japaneno, chipotle chile and sauce and mix in food processor until smooth. Heat pan, put in oil, and start browning this mixture. Stir often, and in 10 minutes, you will have a luscious, smoky mixture to die for. 3. Pour in your blended broth with all the chicken goodness and cook the two together for 15 minutes until it's all blended together and the flavors mix. 4. Squeeze fresh lime juice right before you serve. 5. if this isn't the best, easiest tortilla Soup you've ever had, send me the competing recipe! Serves 6 regular people, probably 10 sleeved people. Protein: 16 grams in each of the 10 cups (2.4 oz of chicken baby!)

I'm Statgamer on there. Those are not my recipes per se, they are just ones I found. Most of the ones I post here on my blog are ones I either invented or modified from other complicated recipes. I don't do complicated, I like simple recipes with lots of flavor so the ones here as well as on Pinterest are easy ones. On Pinterest, if you follow my small bites, Paleo, pressure cooker, and crockpot ones, Mostly those are WLS friendly.

Call your doctor. They will recommend something for sure.

Did you see where she said user-friendly?