I've Been a Bad Girl!

Today, I totally broke! I need your support! I just could not take the liquid diet anymore and I ate some refired beans and a small chunk of chicken breast. It didn't make me sick, but I'm feeling really guilty. I am only 1 week and 3 days out and I already broke. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? How bad is it that I ate the beans and chicken? A good kick in the butt or any advice is much appreciated! ~Guilty Jules

Hey Jules: No worries! I tried 2 bites of plain scrambled eggs 2 days ago, and dumped my butt off! (Yes, contrary to popular literature, you can dump off of non sugar related things)---I was trying to jump ahead 1 phase because I found out my disability was only approved until 1/3, when the original plan was for me to go back 1/16. So, I learned my lesson, went back to the full liquids, and had a great day today! I myself am still working on smaller sips and smaller bites, the baby sized silverware helps immensely. I keep telling myself this is NOT a diet, and I won't go through the same vicious cycle I have for 30 yrs, so I am practicing loving kindness toward my body. Each day is a new one! On a side note, there are lots of reasons our programs are set up the way they are, and not always because we can't have the food, rather, they are set up to keep us in a the best position to lose weight in a healthy fashion. Best to us in 2007! M

Dont feel guilty - I DID THE EXACT SAME THING AND IM FINE! I had my surgery December 14th - and after 10 days of broth, jello etc - I felt like I was losing my mind. So - I tried some scrambled eggs - next day I tried some mashed potatoes - and have just kept going from there. I've had ground meat with refried beans, broiled tilapia, wedding soup! I've even had some red wine. Nothing has made me sick and I continue to lose weight. I honestly believe that not everyone fits into the "mold" they want us to follow - you and I are perfect examples! My follow up is Jan. 4th and I will be sharing all this with my doctor - Im sure we are not the first and we certainly wont be the last - and I personally believe the sooner you can tolerate "real" food - the better off you will be in the long run. So CHEERS! to us - we're doing fine - and dont have to feel guilty! Not Guilty Janet

Janet! Hi! How did you prepare the scrambled eggs? Did you add milk to the egg? I did not, tried it 4 days ago, and dumped my butt off (no joke, I know it's not sugar, but it was dumping!)......so now, I am afraid to ever try them again, and I love love love eggs! I think I am going to wait another 2 weeks or so and see if my pouch is still grumpy with me over the first experience. I'd love to know more about how you prepared them!

Jules, Don't feel guilty. Just move on. I am scared to try anything not yet approved by my Dr. I am so scared of not losing weight. That's what keeps me on the straight and narrow. You slipped, now get back back up and go forward. We are behind you. Good luck on getting all your water in and protein. I am still struggling with that one. Tomorrow will be a better day. Take care and happy new year. Corinn

I did the same thing too. At 12days out I was going out of my mind and I was jello'd out!! I ate some refried beans with some cheese melted on top. Scared to death but i did fine and had no problems. After that I had mashed potatoes too. I kept doing fine and started my pureed on the 14th day like I was supposed to. I do not suggest in any way what we did was right but I know how frustrating that was. Don't feel bad I agree with the other post..just move on. I even have since had the shredded pork but still scary to think of a blockage or vomiting. Good luck and please be careful.

Like most of you that posted so honestly; I did the same thing. I had my lap rny on the 13th and felt as if I needed to sink my teeth into something about 10 days out. I was allowed pureed on my day of discharge from the hospital. Sorry this may seem gross but some meats I have chewed to death and spit them out. I could not stand another pureed thing. The cream soups were beginning to give me the gurgling feeling. I have not been drinking so am I really trying to work on this. I have been having sf pudding made with lactaid milk and broth from chicken noodle soups. I hate the plain chicken broth from the can. I like the refried beans. Has anyone tried the eggbeaters in any of the protein shakes? The idea of raw eggs does not appeal to me very well. I guess you could say I have too many hang ups. I sure could use some suggestions on how I could be getting more protein in my diet. I have my follow up on Jan 11th with the surgeon and dietician. This is all a very big learning process. Thanks for letting me vent. Holly

I know what you mean. I have been on full liquids so long that I just can't wait to chew something. I keep fighting with myself because on my discharge papers it says to start pureed food either after the first appointment with my surgeon or 1 week post op. All the paper work from the surgeon and also from the dietition says to wait until after the first appointment with the surgeon so I am playing mind games with myself saying it would be ok to "eat" something. The worst I have done is eating 2 small pieces of chicken from my soup. I chewed it well and it was fine. But it is not like I don't want to just grab something and CHEW. The main thing the doctor said was following the phases just allows for further healing of you new pouch. Don't be so hard on yourself. Looks like we all are guilty. Maryann

Jules, Don't feel quilty - you ate healthy foods and they did not make you sick. You choose beans and chicken, not a brownie or chips, or any of the stuff that would normally cause quilt (at least in my mind=) ) Your body was obviously ready for the food, I don't think it was bad! I broke today too, dont start purees until tomorrow but I had to have chicken salad, so I ate it. It was great and I didnt eat too much so I dont feel quilty. I was planning on eggs in the am, but I am scared of them now after hearing Megan's experience!! Megan, that sucks you got sick! Anyway, what are you going to eat tomorrow??

Don't feel bad.. There's nothing wrong with you!! It's hard to be on the diet they prescribe after surgery. But it does get better. I had my surgery on Dec. 1st. I was only able to stay on my liquid diet because I'm a nurse, and could only think of all the horrible things that could happen if I didn't let my pouch/intestines heal after surgery. And believe, me, I did want to eat. I wasn't one of the lucky "I don't even get hungry" people. The reason the diet is there is not only for our weight loss, but for much better reasons. If you put something into your stomach it's not ready for, you run the risk of injury at your staple sites, or some kind of infection if you're not completely healed. I know this is hard, I was JUST there!! But you CAN do it, and it does get better, I promise. Whatever you eat, just make sure you discuss it with your doctor. I hope I'm not being too much of a downer. Good Luck and God Bless. Sara