3-Week Post Op

I had my 1st post-op appointment today! I've lost 26 lbs. in almost 3 weeks! All my bloodwork came back good. At every post-op appointment we have to see the surgeon, the nut, and the psychiatrist. The nut did the muscle/body fat analysis, but can't give me my report until Monday because she forgot to bring my file with her for comparison from the pre-op visit. I missed the psych because he left early today, so I guess I'll be doing a phone visit with him tomorrow! I have been fortunate to have had very little pain through this whole process. I went back to work Tuesday and my only issue there is I am very tired in the afternoons, however, I work 10 hour days, so that's part of the reason. I've been eating nearly everything and have had NO problems. 3 times I got a little nauseated, but it passed very quickly. The nut told me to try adding some shredded lettuce into my diet and see how that goes, so that will be my new food to try. For those of you still on pureed foods - my favorite was Sweet Potato Casserole! I made it on Christmas using Splenda brown sugar and regular Splenda and honestly, that was the BEST food I've had since before surgery! I had so much left over that I would take a big spoonful and add a half scoop of Any Whey - stir and heat and that was my lunch for several days in a row - YUMMY! Didn't mean to ramble - hope everyone enjoys a wonderful 2007!

Hello Patti, What do you mean by "I've been eating nearly everything" Please do share Thanks a lot!

Hey, Erika. My doctor does not make his patients stay on a liquid or pureed diet after leaving the hospital! I came home on a Sunday evening and the next nite we went to a friends house for Chili Beans and Salad. I ate a few bites of the chili and 1 grape tomato out of the salad (with shredded cheese on both). That weekend was Christmas Eve - that's when I made the Sweet Potato Casserole (with chopped pecans) and ate it. I also enjoyed a couple bites of Honey Baked Ham, mashed potatos/gravy, a bite of deviled egg, a few green beans and a cottage cheese/jello/crushed pineapple thingy. Since then I've had bites of grilled chicken breast, bites of grilled cheese sandwich, a few smoked almonds, lots more chili beans & refried beans w/cheese, brunswick stew and scrambled egg. I have not been afraid to try things that I know are "good" for me even if it means just being able to eat a bite or two. The only thing the nutritionist told me she wanted me to try now is shredded lettuce - so, I guess I'll be making a salad sometime this weekend and will see how that goes down. I have not really had ANY hunger and have basically had to make myself eat at the required times. I have been major thirsty, though! Happy Friday!

Patti, please share the recipe. I start purees next week. Thanks! Julie

Hey, Julie. Sorry to take so long, I had to wait until I was at home with my recipe book - I'm normally reading messages from my work computer. This is the recipe for my Sweet Potato Casserole - just substitute the white and the brown sugar with Splenda and Splenda Brown sugar. 3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatos 1/2 cup margarine 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs, beaten 1/3 cup milk 2 T. flour Topping: 1/3 cup melted margarine 1 cup brown sugar (read Splenda directions - does not measure cup for cup!) 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup chopped pecans Mix above together and put into a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Mix together topping and put over sweet potato mixture. Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees. Enjoy! Like I said earlier, I would take a spoonful of leftovers and add some unflavored protein powder - mix and heat in the microwave and call it lunch!

You are doing so well! Way to go! Thanks for the recipe, I'm on purees now, so guess what I'm making this afternoon? My surgery was the 18th and I can't do reg food for two more weeks, ugh. Isn't is odd how some docs are so restrictive, and others aren't. I wish I understood thier theories! Thanks again and you're doing great! Bridget

Happy new year to you and congratulations on your weight loss! My dr had me on liquids for 2 weeks and I was glad because I was so swollen and didnt even want to "eat". I am now on soft solids and testing the water a little more, trying to get my protein in and get some variety going. Are you taking your vitamins?? Have you started exercising? That might help with your energy level, but then again, working 10 hour days is hard. I worked 10 hour days before and that 4th day was a killer. Good luck to you, sounds like you are on the right track, we must eat to fuel our bodies. Angela

It is strange about the different theories the doc's have about how fast you can move through the eating stages. I am so tired of soft foods and pureeds. And I find I am thirsty all the time and so frustrated that I cannot just drink a glass of water...sips just don't seem to help me with the thirst. Does anyone else have this problem...my mouth is dry all the time.

Hey, Vi. I, too, am thirsty all the time! I HATE having to quit drinking for 30 minutes just so I can have something to eat - and then I have to wait another 30 minutes to be able to take a drink of anything. An hour without any liquid is a longggggggggg time. I did mention my extreme thirst to my nut last week and she just suggested that I keep a cup full of crushed ice and munch on it between sips. I've only tried that once, but it did seem to help - it's just a lot of trouble to crush the ice! Good luck, and Happy New Year!