What are you eating?

Hey everyone. I had WLS on Oct. 13th and have had NO COMPLICATIONS. I have had absolutely NO nausea, no vommiting, no anything. It's almost a little scarey because I feel great. So great that I am getting brave and trying a lot of foods out of curiosity. I have lost 37lbs since surgery - so I am doing pretty well. BUT my new stomach can tolerate anything I eat... I mean anything - as long as it is in small amounts and chewed very well. I can eat baked chicken, baked pork chops, spaghetti, mac n cheese, dill pickle, any kind of noodles, cooked green beans, corn, tortilla chips, crackers, toast, spicey foods, french fries (baked), tuna salad, chicken salad, steak, eggs,fresh fruits, orange juice, apple juice, milk, cheese... like I said, pretty much ANYTHING. I don't use salt when I cook, and I bake almost everything. One really scarey thing is that my body can tolerate sugar. My husband got a pumkin pie blizzard from Dairy Queen and I ate 3 bites of it (I know, I'm ashamed) but it sat perfectly fine on my stomach. Having sugar isn't something I plan on doing regularly, but at least I know. I think I was hoping it WOULD make me throw up so I wouldn't have that temptation. Oh well. Technically I am supposed to be on the "month of mush" right now but my doctor is amazed with my progress and told me to experiment so I am. I can eat about 3 or 4 bites (reallllllly small bites) and then I'm stuffed and can't eat anymore and I take my time when I eat. I don't know about everyone else, but my instructions are to not drink anything 30 minutes before I eat and 30 minutes after. I am finally getting all my liquids in everyday and like I said I feel great! I was just wondering if my results are typical and what you all are able to eat. Have you had similar experiences? Etc. Thanks everyone! Tiffany 311\274\145

my recovery has not been as smooth as yours but I have been feeling better the last two weeks, I am 4 weeks and 2 days post op. I am having trouble getting in all the protein and fluids but improving with the help of a concentrated liquid protein,15gms in 2 tbsp. I usually do instant breakfast in the mornings, scrambled egg few hours later,have tried chicken with small amount success if I put it in the food chopper and grind it to small pieces and add a little mayo and go real slow same with salmon and cottage cheese has gone down well as long as it is over an hour. I have also tried small bites of foods with sugar with no adverse results(1 bite of a pop tart,1 bite of a cookie,one bite of a kit kat on Halloween)I am not brave enough to try some of the other foods you have, but am sure I will later I had a horrible reaction to refried beans, we went out to a Mexican Restaurant and I had a few bites of beans and my heart started racing, I turned white and was nauseated and later vomited.I also wait 30 minutes to drink after eating and before. My new favorite snack/lunch is low fat cheese 1 oz and two low fat ritz.Iam really tired of eggs and cottage cheese!

Hi Tiffany, Right now I am 18 days post-op. My doctor required a clear liquid diet for 2 weeks. This past Monday I was progressed to prueed foods. I haven't been as bold as you, my doctor is very strict. But, I honestly feel that I would be able to tolerate anything right now. I have been pretty faithful at pureeing my foods, but last night I lightly pureed some chili, I have eaten shaved turkey by just chewing thoroughly, I have eaten a few cashews, and today I had a few bites of buffalo home fries. I don't know about sugar yet, I did have a 'custard style' yogurt that had sugar pretty early on the ingredients list and it didn't bother me. I also mistakenly had some sweetened raspberry iced tea and it didn't bother me. I have not been sick or thrown up yet, either. I was actually a bit worried because I just seemed to be doing too good. I felt like something bad was going to happen. But, I am now just basking in the fact that I am very fortunate and that somebody is definately looking out for me. so, for now I am going to just be happy that I have been rewarded so greatly and I am not going to worry about stuff until it really does happen. Sort of a cross that bridge when I get to it thing! Good luck and Congratulations! Amber

Boy am I glad you asked... I just entered most of the next few paragraphs in my profile: I am getting tired of my "pureed" food menu. Granted I am fudging a little here and there as far as "pureed" goes, but as long as I chew it to a pureed consistency in my mouth then I feel that is just the same. I still eat protein for about 95% of my diet, which accounts for why I am so tired of what I can eat now and why I am really wanting some breads pretty badly! Mainly I am eating tilapia (fish), canned tuna, fat free refried beans w/lowfat cheese, scrambled eggs, lowfat Laughing Cow cheese (once a day for a snack), skim milk, protein shakes (about 4 a week total) and 1-2 Tbsp of reduced sugar peanut butter. I do not like any of the sugar free puddings or yogurts and I already burned out on the cottage cheese and soups in the liquid stage. I would not say I am "craving" things I can't have, but I still want them and I wonder how long it will take until I don't anymore. I am tired of being hungry for foods I can't have. Try as I might, nothing with any type of tomato sauce goes well at all. I haven't been sick yet but I feel queasy if I eat tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, or anything a little too greasy. I try to stick to 1/4 cup food at a time but I am ashamed to admit I think it usually ends up being 1/2 cup. I feel so stupid; I didn't want to do this and end up stretching my pouch but I am afraid it's already too late. Plus I am hungry 2 hours after I eat (even with 1/2 cup servings!). I do not drink with my meals and in fact I don't drink enough water; I am lucky to get 48 oz a day. I hate being hungry more than anything (except maybe running, haha) so I am really disappointed that I am not one of the fortunate ones who isn't hungry anymore. Basically I feel the same as I did before surgery, except for two things: 1. I get satisfied on less food 2. I won't let myself binge or eat "bad" stuff because I know it could make me sick (still want to though) I am so disappointed with my mental state. I feel like a complete failure and I'm so scared to tell my doctor or dietitian this. I guess it is time to confess it though. Considering I am now over 30 days post op and I have only lost 26 pounds I guess I better do something sooner rather than later. The 'other' foods I have tried that are technically not pureed are (these are mostly a one-time meal, not something I eat regularly): Mexican chicken w/sour cream sauce Wendy's chili Wendy's jr hamburger, plain w/ a bit of bun Mexican shredded chicken w/guacamole Spaghetti (meaty sauce with a bit of noodles) Pizza Chicken salad Sugar free candy (one serving= one mini Reese's cup, or 1/2 Hershey miniature) 1-2 tortilla chips Low-carb pancake I don't know what to do about food; I stupidly thought that this surgery would simplify eating but I guess I didn't think I'd be hungry for much regular food. I'd have my little shakes and soup and cottage cheese and feel just peachy, well... no such luck. I know my attitude is really bad right now. Is there something I'm missing that would help, and will this get better???

I am convinced that my pouch will stretch out and I will never drop half my excess weight!

I am eating lots more than my dr recommends at this stage. I am basically supposed to be of soft protiens still but I got way too bored with that. I seem to have a strong pouch too - like the rest of you. I have taken small bites, and tolerated pasta, rice, chocolate, popcorn (I ate a good handful last night) cheese, Stove Top stuffing, butternut squash, even a little bit of a brownie. I didn't feel that guilty though. I figured a little minscule bite is a heck of a lot better than say...half (or 3/4) of the PAN of brownies I used to eat in one sitting! I am 5 weeks out and have lost 23 pounds, which my dr says is better than average. ??? I thought it would have been more by now. But I don't think its a reflection of the few bites here and there. In fact, I gained a few pounds at 3 weeks out, and maintained it for 4 days. I was on nothing but eggs, yogurt, cheese, and only about 1 ounce, three times a day. I posted on the main board and was told to increase my calories. That's when I decided to try some pasta I had made for my family.....don't you know that is when the weight started dropping again. Even with the small amounts we are eating, our calories probably stay under 700 a day! I am so happy that I can NO longer binge...its like built in will-power. I don't mind that in my head I still want to eat a whole plate of cheesy french fries........I can eat all I want in my head. As long as I am not actually doing it - that is SUCCESS!!!! We've all taken control and should be proud! Don't feel guilty. I was a bulimic since I was about 15 (I am 33 now) and no matter what I did - even pregnancy - didn't stop me. Who knows what would have happened if I kept doing it for another 15 years.......this surgery saved me from that hell! The pleasure of tasting a bite of a brownie, and then stopping. Ahhhhhhh - it amazes me that I have the control to stop myself now from eating the whole thing. Absolutley a success. Each one of us is a success! GREAT thread.........btw! Jenn

Jenn I was so glad to read your post. We had surgery on the same day and we have lost the exact same amount and I have also ventured off from the soft foods stage ( I couldn't stand another bite of cottage cheese!!) I was starting to feel like I haven't lost enough because I hit a nine day plateau. I have been walking about 2 miles four to five days a week and this week we will step it up a notch. Anyway I just wanted to say that I am glad to see that somebody is in the same boat. We should keep in touch and stay on this journey together. Talk to you soon Nina

I am 33 days post op and like you I have been able to tolerate most things... eggs and chicken that was too dry are the two things that have made me throw up... I have, however been able to eat steak, fish, refried beans, practically anything as long as it is well chewed...At my last surgeons visit.. i was worried because I wasnt losing as fast as others I see post on here I am down 26 lbs...He assured me that everyone is different, and to increase my eating... do smaller more frequent meals throughout the day...if you eat too little your body actually holds on to fat in the starvation mode and you wont lose.... NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I BEEN TOLD TO EAT MORE TO LOSE WEIGHT!... anyway ... the days that i do eat more... I will lose about a half a pound....I know that this too will slow down.... Kari

Hi Ladies! So far so good here also, everything has went down fine, with no problems. I advanced myself to soft foods two days early which was nothing really. I haven't cheated probably b/c I can't....my name is Danielle and I am a dumper Not that it's funny, but I found out on accident...long story. Anyway, I've only lost 25lbs. and I'm worried that's not enough I'm strict with my protein intake, I'm sticking to the soft diet...my water isn't quite up to par but I'm getting there...and I walk twice a day. My suggestion to those hungry 2 hours after you eat, two things: 1-Check your carb.intake....the more you eat, the more your body wants...they're as bad as empty (sugar) calories. 2-Drink even more water-I know, just when you thought you couldn't get any more in...hunger pains are a sign of thirst...try some VERY cold water if you can tolerate it. All my best! Danielle

Hi Tiffany and ALL.. I was banded on October 12th. No complications, I feel fine. I've been on real food for awhile - a little scrambled egg, bean/cheese burrito (1/2 of a small one), popcorn, tuna, fish taco, steamed veggies, cheese, crakers.... these are some of the things that I have eaten. I know I have not eaten very much on any given day but I have gained 5 pounds since my one week post op check in! I had my first fill yesterday of 1.5 cc's - AAAK!!!! It is so discouraging. I am going to try to do some of the things Ive read in this thread. Thanks in advance for any help and or advice. anita