post op-questions

First off a major thank you to Elissa ! Thanks for keeping me updated on "our" crew, but also letting them know about me. ok, now for my questions-you guys knew I would have more questions-right?! lol I am confused about how much we are supposed to eat after the 2 days of post-op liquids once we are at home. In the discharge papers, the nurse wrote 1-2 oz of liquid every hour. The Dietitian said 2 oz every hour then pureed food and PMRI book said liquids and then ONE CUP pureed food. I know I cannot get that much food in me. I can barely get my four crushed meds with applesauce down, anything more than a sip and I feel pain. Is this normal? When do you start to feel like you can eat again with out pain or gas pressure? Any help would be welcome. Also there is no way I will be able to get all my protien in. I can do about 60ccs of skim milk down in a good hour. Were you guys able to eat a 1/4 to 1/2 cup in an hour six times a day, the 3rd day you were home? ME!

I'm so glad you are back!!! I'm 4 weeks out..so I'm still new at this as well..the others can give you more input...but when I went on Puree..I tried to follow the meals in the pmri booklet..not exactly..but as my guideline. I could never get all the meals in either. I can get in about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of food..depending on the food. At first..I stuck to applesauce...oatmeal, pureed chicken pot pie(no crust), mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, etc. Protein drinks were great and great for me. I love the Traders Joes Whey Chocolate...I add 6-8 ounces of milk and 1/4 of banana..and it yummy without being too thick. I just started my next stage this week..and its so nice to have something crunchy! I'm sure I'm forgetting something...but the biggest thing for me the first couple of weeks was trying to figure out when I was full. I hated eating too much and feeling like I just had thanksgiving dinner...no fun. Now, I have a better idea of what full means to my body now. Also, I watched to clock..thats what helped in the PMRI booklet..the time schedule..at first..its so hard to eat at all..but I tried to stay within the guidelines. Its tough..but you need some calories to get your energy back. Congrats on being a "loser"!!!! Good luck..and take it easy...and sip, sip, sip! Hugs, Kimberly

Hey Michele, Stick to really soft foods, yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta, pureed soup, any kind works well ( I loved the night I had clam chowder!). If you puree chicken, make sure you get it really soft and wet buy adding some chicken broth. I only ate 2-3 oz at a time. I didn't know when I was full so I played it safe. You won't get in all the protein this early, but you will within a couple weeks. And in all honesty, I only ate 3 meals with a couple protein drinks in a day. Hope this helps. T

Welcome home Loser. Glad to be of service. Good luck getting in 6 meals. It is hard at first. I am 8 weeks post now and can get in maybe 3 meals and a snack. My 2 protein drinks are 5th & 6th meal. With all the fluids and protein drinks and waiting it is difficult to get it all in. Make your protein drink a priority. Split it up half in the AM and the other half in the afternoon or PM. Then add some protein and try to fit the water in between. You'll come up with your own best practice. Remember to take your vitamins and meds spread out throughout the day too. Good luck. Don't get hung up on quantities and don't worry about calories for now. Just do the best you can. I still don't know what hungry or full is. I tend to go light though rather than stuff myself and be sorry. Oh try to walk some, it'll help your recovery too. Keep us posted. ((HUGS)) Elissa