Francess

I’m on week 3. I had a really good veal meatball with cheese and sauce at lunch with friends yesterday (it was an appetizer and only actually ate 1/3 of it). I made a casserole my mom makes with thin slices of potato, zucchini, cheese, sliced meatballs, a sprinkle of bread crumbs, and pizza sauce. It was great! (I froze 10, 1/2 cup servings for later) I had some left over Easter ham ( that I didn’t get on Easter because I was still on purée ). Cut small and chewed a lot. Just had tuna with a little bit of miracle whip. I’m having 1/2 cup or less for meals and really chew and wait between bites. It takes me about 30-45min. to eat. No issues so far. Getting at least 75oz. + each day but not always making 100oz. Goal. My plan calls for all food and no shakes at 3 weeks but I have had 1 each day to make sure I get protein till I figure out more meals where 1/2 cup will give me enough protein. Actually today with 3 meals I am over 80 protein. Tomorrow I am making a ground chicken pizza crust (mix ground chicken with cheese and Italian spices, roll thin, bake then add toppings and bake another 10 min.) pizza that I tried pre surgery and my husband likes it too. I put veggies, cheese, and sauce on top. I also want to make the egg casserole muffins with a variety of cheese, meat, veggie fillings and freeze for a quick snack. Greek yogurt has been a good protein source, plus I add some protein powder to it without changing flavor.

I have a lot of supportive friends and family and I am truly blessed to have them, but... sometimes their questions about how I am doing make me feel like I will never progress fast enough for them. Getting lots of questions about how much have I lost, am I ready to buy a whole new wardrobe, what am I eating...etc. Sometimes I just want to get back to my routine and not have the focus on me. I really think some of them expected me to be thin right after the surgery....it’s been 3 weeks! My Dr. Office and husband assure me I’m doing great, but when you start off at almost 400 pounds, 50 pounds down (since beginning journey) just doesn’t make a dent. I’ve got a long way to go. Anyone else feeling this way? Also, do you weigh yourself everyday? I haven’t been because I’m afraid to get hyper focused on progress or lack of progress.

Sorry, this is depressing to hear. Pre surgery I was dropping weight at a good rate. I don’t think I can take hearing that I may not progress as well as I did pre surgery😦 My plan has never cutting out protein shakes as start week 3 and go to all food to get my protein in 3 meals and 2 snacks. This ups the calories, carbs, fat, sugar...my first day was yesterday and was at about 500 calories ( one snack/ meal was a shake). After being on liquids and purée I feel like I’m eating a ton. I know I’m not, but adds to worries.

I switched to BeniFiber post op because it mixes clear with water...drinking it now 😊

My nutritionist said Wendy’s chili was ok...I puréed it and it was good. I puréed brown sugar oatmeal packet with protein milk and added a scoop of protein powder and that has been my daily breakfast. i tried a recipe with chicken (chicken, salsa, chili seasoning, low fat sour cream) and ate most of it but not recommended. I pureed eggs with a little low fat mayo and avacado and it was good, but you can’t eat too much of it. I think purée was harder than liquids! staring “soft” tomorrow.😊

I did not go home with drain. They took it out in the hospital.

Maybe this is because during our class our nutritionalist would tell us the weight and then took a piece of chicken (fake) and show up how much that would be in cups. So they were showing both.

Columbus, Ohio Health

I just went to my 2 week Dr. /nutritionist visit. We have a booklet with meal plans and couple pages of recipes. (Didn’t you get something like this?) Week 3 is 3 blended (puréed) meals and 2 snacks that can be shakes. All stick to the 1/2 cup (she said men may need 3/4 cup). 1/4 cup protein, 1/8 cup veggie, 1/8 cup starch or fruit. Week 4 is soft...some of the same but not blended. Shakes are gone. After a month start adding foods slowly. No raw veggies, nuts, rice, pasta till at least 8 weeks.

Finally had my post op Dr. Appt. and nutritionist visit. Everything is going great. I’ve lost 22 pounds from my official surgery weight (but I know 9 was pre surgery). They said I can expect about a pound a day average loss at first. I had my first puréed meal, chili. I also had some yogurt. I’m going to eat more chili for dinner and I puréed some cottage cheese and peaches for a snack later (when I puréed it , it got warm so I had to refrigerate 😉). They want me to up my water to 100oz. I also have to double my multivitamin. Also I am ok to start exercise routine. One week purée ,1 week soft, then start adding back other solid food. One thing that I was surprised about was they want you to stop drinking protein shakes and work towards all protein from food after one month mark. I find the shakes an easy way to get in protein but they said it’s importanr for healing and eating to progress...kinda like a baby moves from liquids to solids.

Just started blended week. I didn’t have many ingredients (will go to store later today) so I stopped and got chili from Wendy’s and blended it. The nutritionist recommended it. It was good but a half a cup probably only had 8g protein so I am going to try adding protein powder, beans, or chicken to next batch. This may be harder than liquids!

What protein powder do you use? The “unflavored “ one I tried is not unflavored. Afraid to add.

Have you blended any of these yourself and do they meet protein requirements?

DId you have bypass? I can’t have raw veggies till week 8?!

It bothered me the first couple days. Now I’m just in a groove...but I do look forward to moving to the next stage on Wednesday😉 Having different flavored shakes and red pepper /tomato soup once a day helps.

None. Clear liquids only day before surgery.

What protein powder do you use? The “unflavored “ one I tried is not unflavored. Afraid to add.

Have you tried adding protein powder to food or other liquids? I would think unflavored powder would work in Apple sauce and yogurt. Their is also protein water. I drink premier protein water, mango/orange, raspberry, and fruit punch. I also added some “unflavored” protein powder (you can still taste and smell it) to water and added some sugar free flavored water drops and it was good. Has anyone found a truly unflavored protein powder? The stuff at the hospital was horrible! I have (GNC whey protein) is Better but still has taste. I am still on full liquids so I haven’t tried yet in anything else. I can have soup, but it’s such a treat right now I don’t want to mess it up with the protein powder! I jazz up my premier protein shakes with sugar free hazelnut and salted Carmel syrup but my favorite is PBFit peanut butter powder!!

Follow your Dr.’s instructions and you will do great. The first day is not fun, but goes quickly. I feel good and getting stronger each day😊

I have done really well. After the first 3 Days in the hospital, no pain or nausea. I am on full liquids till Wednesday (can’t wait!). I am glad that I like my premier protein shakes and getting 2 a day gives me 60 protein. I have also added some protein water on some days and the last couple days I have enjoyed a 1/2 cup of soup. Getting at least 64oz water a day...fill up 4 , 25oz water bottles every morning and that helps me keep track. Taking my vitamins and I have been very regular ( I was afraid of constipation...no problem !). I have walked the dog a few times. I got out for 2 hours Saturday for Easter Egg Hunt and party with grandchildren. Today I was at church for over 2 hours. Feeling stronger each day. Looking forward to getting back to my routine and adding food.

Really ready to be off liquids...these both sound so yummy!

I am only one week out, but my info says never more than 10g fat or 10g sugar at one time. At 2 weeks I can have smooth food (like yogurt). At 3 week I can add soft veggies and canned fruit(limited). At 8 weeks I can add fresh veggies and nuts. Not sure where meat and cheese go in this schedule? I have post op meeting next week with lots more questions on nutrition.

Wow, looks good but seems like a lot, how many months post surgery? Looks like meat, nuts, raw veggies, all of which are not on my diet till 8 weeks. None bothers you? My nutritionist said no pasta , never.