13 days out. Issues with food. HELP!

Hey everyone. I had an open RNY on May 31st. I should still be in the puree stage of my post op diet, however I am so sick of it. I can't stand pureed foods. And, I am getting horribly sick of soup. So, I have been eating foods that maybe alarm some. Yes, I had about 1/3 of a cup of lasange the other night. God it tasted so wonderful. I chewed and chewed until it was like apple sauce, and then swallowed. I took tiny bites, and went very slowly. Everything that was in the lasagne was on my foods allowed list. The only difference is that i didn't puree it....... GAG..... Also, in my opinion, if I chew chew chew, and mash everything in my mouth to a pulp, there is really no reason why I must limit myself only to "pureed foods and soups". I am not eating anything with added surgar, or a sugar content of 10 g per serving and higher. I use splenda in virutally everything that requires surgar, and I am not eating fatty foods. I know the carbs in the lasange are not the best thing, but I was going insane with the pureed crap.. At this point in time, there is not alot that doesn't "sit well" with me. I am able to handle protein shakes, and the only things thus far that has given me any issues have been unsweetened apple sauce, and egg salad. However, I can eat eggs if they are in something like custard, just not hard boiled ones. lol Sometimes I wonder if I am possibly doing damage to my new pouch... But I don't think so. I feel great. I have lost 12 pounds in a little over a week, and am not "tired". I don't eat fruit or veggie skins, nor the seeds, and stay away from really spicy, fatty, and foods with sugar. The only fresh fruit I have eaten was 1 slice of watermelon. I do get hungry though, I have read a lot about people not feeling hungry.. I get hungry...... lol I really notice it if I haven't eaten anything in a 5 hour time span. Anyways,. any suggestions would be nice! As long as they are nice. lol Carrie

Carrie - I have a theory. I am 5 weeks out and I say do what you need to do for yourself. I went to soft foods on day 8 (instead of 10 - big deal, right?) and had no pureed stage thank God. If I did, I would do what you're doing guaranteed! Your body will tell you if you eat the wrong thing, believe me. I don't worry about carbs at this stage, just protein. Focus on that, exercise and you'll do great! I haven't been "by the book" but I was honest with my nut and she said I was doing fine. I've lost 38lbs so I have to be doing something right! good luck! Heather

Hi Carrie - I think if you aren't having any problems, you are doing fine. Some surgeons consider this stage pureed/soft foods, instead of just "pureed" foods. Your body will tell you what you can handle. I get hungry also, especially in the evening, I guess becuase by then my body knows whether it needs more protein/calories than its getting. I don't think you've damaged your pouch at all - if its been more than 5 hours since you ate, I think you would be hungry. I think its just that when you do eat, you get more satisfied/full quicker. FYI - I made a mini-lasagna in a creme brulee cup with about 1/10 of a lasagna noodle, 2 T of ricotta, 1/4 of a mozzarella stick, veggie ground round, and sauce. It was very satisfying without a lot of carbs. It was about the best thing I've tasted in a month! I hope this helps! Heather

Heather, thanks for the great mini-lasagna recipe. I'll be a month out this Thursday, and I'm definitely going to try that. I've been craving a little taste of something like lasagna, but was scared to eat the pasta. This sounds like it will give me my "fix" without being bad for me. I went to my one-month check-up today (30 pounds lost, including pre-op weight loss of 5 pounds), and my surgeon released me to solid foods and weight reisistance training. So I'm hoping I can start incorporating more foods into my diet. I'm sick of pureed and soft foods. If I never see another s/f chocolate pudding or jello cup it'll be too soon! lol

No problem Alisa. I'm glad I could help. I was really craving something Italian, so that made a big difference in my morale! Congratulations on 30 pounds off! That's amazing! And definitely throw out the jello! Heather

Hey Carrie, First off I understand what you're saying, I have been on full liquids for three weeks and just today got to start pureed foods. I get two weeks of puree then two weeks of soft foods. Believe me, I know how you're feeling ! But here's another thought, this surgery did nothing to our heads. It's up to us to train our minds to follow the rules regarding our "yak saks". Right now that's because the yak saks need time to heal. Can you imagine what it would feel like to get something stuck when the pouch is not completely healed ? Training our minds now to follow rules will help us later make the right food choices. I quess the big question is "If we can't follow the eating rules now, how will we eat later, when it will mean the difference between success and yet another failure ?" I know it sucks right now, but it will get better, and if you can stay with the eating rules, you'll be a stronger person for it. And that might just make a big difference in the long run. Humbly, Jeff

Hi Carrie, i know that this is hard in the begaining we are all going threw it every surgeon is diffrent in what they have us do my date was may 24th and im on the soft foods stage beans yogart cottage cheese, cheese,salmon and thats about it.im extremely tired of it but would not even think of sneeking something else in im like dying for fruit but i cant have it so ill have to wait.my point being is that the doctors who performs our surgerys have a "protocal" for a reason. and i dont want to test it and see what happens if you dont follow it. we chose to have the surgery to have a more fulfilling and healthy life.dont mess it up now.and honestly would the lasangna have tasted that much diffrent if you would have pureed it i dont think so! so my advice is to follow the protocal just remeber its not gonna be forever that your eating at this stage!!!! Good luck to you and remeber why you had this surgery to begain with!! no one said it was going to be all roses! but it will get better! jeanette

I was on liquid only in the hospital..I came home to "pureed" but my nut at the surgeon's office explained in out preop seminar that they consider pureed anything you can mash you fork through. So I guess my surgeon is one of the pureed/soft combo ones lol. I think lasagna fits that bill except I can't have any carbs (complex carbs that is). I love boiled eggs before surgery but can't even stand the thought of one now. I have transitioned now to soft foods adding more and more in. I can eat most anything I want now minus all the bad starchy, sugary, and fatty. The problem is I don't have any appetite. I am really struggling to get all my food in. Good Luck, Mandy

I had my surgery on the 31st as well and I have not had puree'd food, as a matter of fact, the doctor was adamant not to touch them. to chew chew chew. I am on lean meats (.5 oz) and leafy green veggies (.5 oz) and that may be the difference. no sauces, no goodies like pasta. but I am enjoying Halibut and broccoli tonight.

Hi Carrie, I too had surgery on the 31st. My two week checkup is tomorrow and I am praying my surgeon is going to say I can move to pureed foods! According to my binder I'm supposed to be on liquids for three weeks but there is no way I will make it. I have to admit that I also "cheated" yesterday and again today by having mashed potatoes. I just can't stand anymore soup! I had to have something I could chew! I felt totally fine after and I'm not worried about it. I understand that we need to let the pouch heal and that every surgeon is different, but I agree with the people who have said that we need to do what we need to do and our body will let us know. We know what KINDS of food we should and shouldn't have and as long as we don't go overboard I believe we will be fine. I know people will disagree with this - but my feeling is that I would much rather CHEW it to a pureed form and get the satisfaction of chewing than to put pureed food into my mouth. I can't see what the difference is! Not sure if any of this helps, but just know that there are many of us out here who are going through exactly the same thing as you and are dealing with the same issues. We're here for you whenvever you need support. Hang in there! Terri