Same stage, different diets, 3+ weeks out, be gentle

I am amazed reading some of the things folks have been able to eat while in week 2, 3, 4, or 5. My program has been so much more restrictive and yet I have not really had any problems to speak of. I dieted prior to surgery to get into the swing of sugar free and low fats. I also introduced the recommended 6 small meals a day into my schedule and mind. My Doc suggests that all patients should try and lose weight before surgery to reduce some of the fat from the liver and it also makes it easier on the both patient and doctor when the doc goes in. Anyway, I lost almost 20 pounds from my consult to my surgery date. From the time of surgery and for the week following I was allowed only clear fluids. The second week I started full fluids, you know, sugar free puddings, yogurts, milk (Soy milk for me), protein powders, and soups blended and strained. I had to stay with that for a full 2 weeks. Beginning my third week which was just last Wednesday, I began pureed foods. I can have lean, low fat meats purred with brooth, tuna fish pureed, a larger variety of soups blended, and I could add cheese and cottage cheese (as long as it is mashed). The only time I strugled was Friday when I ate some pureed tuna with the slightest amount of low fat mayo, which I think may have been too dry. Anyway, I had a hard time with it and actually ended up with a mild case of the foamies. I realized I had chewed like crazy but I didn't necessarily eat slow. As soon as I feel like enough is enough I put my spoon or fork down and give myself some time. I never drink when I eat since I was told no fliuds 10 minutes prior and none for at least 30 mins. to an hour after. I have noticed that when I am drinking my fluids, I still forget that I cannot take in as much as I was used to and get that uncomfortable feeling when I have swallowed a decent size mouthful, instead of the sipping the Doc and the Nutritionist constantly suggest and try to reinforce. So, when that happens, I slow down and it all settles down and goes in. I will be on pureed foods for another week and a half. After that I am allowed to move to soft foods: mashed potatoes, soft vegetables, ground meats, flaked fish, and other 'soft' foods. The key for the next stage will be to be sure to watch portion size, protein intake, and like all other stages avoid anything with more than 2 grams of sugars and foods that would add up to more than 11 grams of fat in one meal, actually better to have lower amount of fat grams. My eating for healing diet lasts a full six weeks and it will be in my seven week that I will be 'able' to have whole foods. But again, all foods from here on out will need to be less than 2 grams of sugar and low in fat. I'm down about 45 pounds, dropped 2 pant sizes already and I feel great. I'm getting in my all of proteins and all of my fliuds. I was taken off my high blood pressure medicine last Tuesday because it is actually too low now! Also, I am not taking anything right now for my arthritis pain and even though I still suffer with that, it is not nearly as bad as it was prior to surgery. Okay, so why the long post, I am just wondering if the discomfort some folks are experiencing might be from some old habits. . . you know, like drinking too fast or too much, taking a bite here and there from a food source not on a list, taking a bite of a food source not in the proper form (mashed or pureed or soft), and what about drinking when eating? That's a big no-no and it causes major discomfort and it forces food out of the pouch and robs you of nutrition. We all just had MAJOR surgery not all that long ago. Our bodies as well as our minds need to get into a new pattern and let's face it, we are still healing! If you have any curosity about how invasive RNY surgery is, check out this website to see first hand: http://www.or-live.com/stlukes/1422/ Click on the view live webcast. It's incredible. You get to see what exactly what is done and what an obese person's organs and all look like as well as the cutting, stapling and all that happens. Be gentle, go slow, and live to be healthy! Jan

Hi Jan! My diet is pretty restrictive also- I'm on pureed foods for 8 weeks. I think the Doc and the Nut want to maximize all internal healing time while your brain adjusts to what you should be eating as well. For each meal I have 2 tbsp of protein, and 2 tbsp of fruit or veggies and that seems to work for me. We've been told nothing to drink 30 minutes before, while you eat, or 30 minutes after you eat. So maybe some of you out there can try that- seems to work for me! As of this morning I'm down 24lbs since surgery, 42lbs since my consult. Good Luck to All! Kathy

hi jan......i know what you mean by the discomfort....sometimes i['m just thirsty or i'm not paying attention and i'll gulp too much water or food too quickly...it's been almost 5 weeks for me and i've only lost 27 lbs but i guess it's better than gaining...lol i'm starting to eat semi-normal foods on my own because fish grosses me out and i refuse to puree anything...i'm a texture girl...lol i get the smart ones entrees and it takes me about 2 days to eat half a one....lol and i actually tried cheese quesadillas and had no problems with it either....i've even eaten pasta too....what makes me sick is what i am supposed to eat....no lie! the protein shakes make me queasy and it takes the whole day to drink 12 oz of those and chicken doesn't really agree me with me either....so i just eat the stuff that doesn't bother me...i mean i avoid the obvious like sugar and high fat fried stuff but i have to admit...i don't follow the nutrition sheet....lol lizzie