Kaze

@@higher Mine stresses just getting the Protein period. If it takes you all shakes, it takes you all shakes, I suppose. They said the same thing about protein, then veggies, then carbs and that's a very logical thing to be your average. I think, and especially since my guidelines say it's an acceptable meal option, having crackers and Peanut Butter, hummus, etc once or twice a week and higher protein meals the other days is fine. It says it's fine, it's on a suggested meal plan, so I'm going to go with it's acceptable. My question was really meant to deduce to which crackers are better than others during this stage or any stage for that matter.

@@OutsideMatchInside I think that's kind of what melba toast is. I was trying to find it at the store and didn't have any luck. I don't have any unflavored Protein powder unfortunately and we're a bit stiff on finances at the moment, so I can't get anymore for a while. I've got my Protein Powder drink stuff to last a while. @@higher So does mine. Like I said, I think in the beginning, at least in my plan's eyes, it's more about reintroducing your stomach to foods period and getting to a point where you eat something. That's my guesstimation. Clearly down the line I plan to be far more meticulous with what I'm eating and make very balanced meals, but I think in the mean time while I'm eating next to nothing, I'll use something like hummus and crackers to actually try and eat a little something. I've been subsisting on Water and broth or cream of chicken Soup, lol. Nothing structured, unfortunately, which is a shame on me. I should be eating 2-3 meals a day to set a schedule.

That's what my train of thought was implying. What about like wheat Townhouse crackers? Because on the following page (see above) it shows meal suggestions and says "1 tablespoon of smooth, reduced fat Peanut Butter. 1-2 whole wheat crackers". It's like it can't make up its mind! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

For reference. It does say whole grains, obviously operative word I missed, I apologize. Don't most crackers of sorts specify if they are whole grain or not? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I can be defensive...the responses where on a different plane than the question presented. I addressed its acceptability in my plan, so those responses weren't exactly relevant. Appreciated, but irrelevant. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ha, I am barely eating right now so I'm pretty confident I'd be able to stop, lol. I definitely can't eat too much nor do I really want to, but I know I need "something". If that's going to be a carb, it'll be a carb. I make sure and get in Protein everywhere else I possibly can. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Bufflehead That's what I was thinking, honestly, is those whole grain crackers that are really dense and fibrous. My book is kind of straight forward but there are pieces that are counter-intuitive and seem to conflict with other things. I guess I'll just have to ask. I'll probably start with tortillas like it says if I want a vehicle for hummus/guacamole since they're much, much softer. *awaits carb bashing lol*

Probably because my program accommodates the fact that you simply cannot get enough Protein through solid foods for quite some time, but you should be eating foods non-the-less? It suggests Protein shakes for well into the third and fourth months and from then on at your discretion. At this stage, especially for me because I find it a chore to eat, I think it's more about getting actual foodstuffs in. Obviously it suggests keeping all carbs in moderation, but my program does not suggest you eliminate anything unless your stomach just cannot handle it. It's a center of excellence, so obviously they're doing something right and/or know what they're doing. I don't think having the 2-3 crackers it suggests as a piece of my meal will really counter-act the fact that I'm consuming so few calories. I'm taking this directly from my handbook so they clearly have a different outlook. All I wanted to know was what constitutes a "fibrous, grainy" cracker, not a "for shame" from how all of your programs are structured versus my own. I don't mean this as an attack, but I did explicitly state this is coming from my guidelines, so it's not like I'm just making up stuff in order to eat things I want. At the risk of sounding like a complainer for getting criticisms, there's my gripe.

I know this is kind of a weird question, but I figure it's worth asking. Would hot dogs be considered a soft food? I am going between seeing how it could be and then going "No, not sure about that". Never hurts to ask! If not, what foods did you find really satisfying and Protein rich in the soft foods phase? I'll be there next week so I'd love to kind of gather a list. I haven't been getting in as much protein as I'd like or should so I need to try and get in as much through food as I can. I'm focusing primarily on Water because (as I've said on numerous threads) I'm a kidney transplant patient and it's super important that I get more than the 64oz recommended (closer to 136oz) and that is nicely doable (not as in I'm doing it, but I know I can if I keep trying) at a week post. Thanks!

Haha it's OK! Gotta learn anyway what my stomach's new limits are anyway and it helped! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Edit: Did alright. Would definitely avoid the top cheese crust and just mix it in next time during this stage. I had a few good bites but the chewy golden brown cheese crust was noticeably more "solid" then my stomach felt comfortable, so it did ache for a few minutes but nothing horrible. Keeping it down fine, I'm just going to avoid fluids for a little longer than half an hour suggestion because it feels a little bloaty in there. Otherwise, not a bad food for two and a half weeks. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm trying it tonight. Maybe a few days sooner than I should (not entirely sure, I'm on pureed foods?) but I need something to actually make me eat. It's smelling yummy! Plus there's some decent Protein in it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Daisee68 How'd you do? I'm two weeks post op as of today. I haven't been eating much because I'm not hungry and broth, cream of chicken and greek yogurt can only be interesting so long. Need to "make" something.

You won't cause a leak with a carrot, especially if you chewed it up nice. Just avoid it for a few more weeks, definitely lower on the list of suggested foods for two weeks post.

What food phase can that bake be had? Soft foods (3 weeks)? Because I am SO making that. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You can eat some things if you're feeling super dizzy and hungry but I don't think bacon was a wise choice this early. But previous posters, you're being a lil' harsh. You appear to miss where OP said they were dizzy and felt malnourished. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm two weeks post today and I haven't particularly experienced any problem foods either but I've probably had a grand total of five things, all liquid. I hope to be like you during the more normal food phases. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I literally did as you said. I made a can of plain ol' chicken noodle soup and strained the innerds. Even added a touch of Kosher salt (I needed something SAAAAALTY because my personal cravings and it helps my headaches) and it was glorious. My program really stresses "low sodium, low fat, low everything" but that just seems like more of a way to encourage you towards healthier options. Regular ol' chicken noodle soup broth isn't gonna hurt (I've heard different temps can sensitize your sleeve and be uncomfortable so watch for that, I haven't experienced it). So there's my say. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

In most circumstances, the things your doc tells you not to have post-op is, in fact, because it's just not good for you. That doesn't mean, if you can tolerate it, you can't have a brewski once in a while but limit it like everything else. Especially boozie-booze as it can be addicting and you will likely overindulge. But I refuse to believe the "you can't have that" mentality. It impedes on quality of life which makes it super hard to find joy in pursuing a life long change towards better choices, ESPECIALLY if you're a younger patient like myself. As long as you/we understand we should adhere to limitations far closer than our peers, then indulging in the no-nos once in a while is not going to doom us. HOWEVER, I will say the legit concern in the first few months with carbonation and other things to that degree is ulcers. Please avoid these things for AT LEAST 3 months, 6 months is safer. The tissues and your stomach really need to fully heal before the risk of ulceration is lowered. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm about a week and a half post op and I can definitely tell my levels of hunger now and whether they are superficial or not. I'm grateful the surgery has done so much to stifle my appetite. However, I'd definitely warn fellow "new" post ops: avoid social eating interactions. You will not really "crave" the food physically, or at least I don't, but you will feel kind of awkward not being able to eat. I "miss" eating normally but I also know this is just temporary. Just figured I'd lay my experience out there! If you can avoid social interactions until you're 6 weeks (when you can try normal foods), I would! I couldn't dodge this one! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I can attest that that the nausea is seriously bad for the first two days, but after that it's almost funny how nonexistent it became for me. Water will become far more natural to you probably by tomorrow or Saturday. It hits you pretty quickly and there's a noticeable gap between "I can't drink that much" to "I feel like I can drink almost like a normal person". I didn't have the gas pain, or at least I don't think I did, but I did buy Gas-X strips just in case and as KristenLe said, walk around as much as possible! Good luck!

The two aren't mutually exclusive but if you are following your pre-op diet well enough, odds are you will lose a little weight and shrink your liver.