3 wk PO -- Questions & Need Suggestions on Eating

Hello all.... 3 wks PO.. getting the rest of staples and G tube out later this week. I'm having cravings....... Really missing meat. Dr wants me to wait 6 weeks for meat. Any suggestions for someone *****ally doesn't like eggs or cottage cheese that well? I'm so tired of cheese and lately eggs do not agree with me. Is it normal to feel every bite go down? I know that I need to learn to eat more slowly. Any suggestions on how to do this. I can't seem to eat very much at all without feeling so uncomfortably full. Maybe I need to just be more patient in learning how to work with this surgery. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me. Mary Kathryn

Hi Kathryn, Have you tried chicken and beef broth, you get the flavor of meat without the meat itself. It also counts as a liquid. Check with you doctor about what you should be eating at this point, they should be able to guide you. Many of the doctors and plans are different after surgery. My doctor had me on clear liquid for two weeks after surgery, then only pureed foods for four weeks. I was able to start on soft foods at 6 weeks out and am working up to a full menu. I liked tuna well moistened with fat free dressing and a little relish (very little). That was one way for me to get in a good amount of protein without having to drink it. I know for me that I feel every little bit go down like a big stone if I don't chew enough, even on the pureed foods you should be chewing (it gets the digestive juices flowing). At 3 weeks out a couple of tablespoons of food should fill you up. Keep up the good work, you will figure it out soon. This does take time and effort to get the hang of, every person is a little different. TTFN Jackie

Eggs are hard on everyone pretty much.....especially early out....Try egg beaters...they go down much better, and if you get the flavored ones they are pretty darn good!! I like the southwestern with sprinkled cheese and some salsa....YUMMY!!!! Yogurt is a good one! On soft foods I was allowed toast, of course then my grouch pouch didn't let me eat it, but what about some high protein low carb bread toasted with peanut butter....that is good, and worth 20 grams of protein....I get home pride or the adtkins whole wheat and they both have 6 grams of protein and my reduced fat jif cramey has 14 for two tablespoons!! Also refried beans with cheese and sour cream is pretty good......UMMM I am trying to think of some more.....Sugar free fat free pudding made with skim milk and a scoop of vanilla protein powder is good for like 7 grams of protein per half cup......I like butterscotch the best!!! Chili is good....ummm that is all the ideas I can think of right now....Best of luck!! Jesi Enjoy the full feeling it doesn't last long....then your hungry and wishing you could get full again.....lol!!!!

Mary Kathryn, I think I heard there is a link on the main page to get to a recipe board. That could be helpful. I really like the refried beans and also meatless chili. Good tasting and goes down pretty easily too. I have heard also that white chili made with turkey or chicken is good, haven't had any yet. I can't even think about eggs still without wanting to gag. I don't know why, I liked them before surgery and even after for the first few weeks but now - ECH! Things change, I guess! Someone at my last meeting suggested to take your cottage cheese and add a bit of parmesan and oregano with a couple of spoons of marina sauce and warm it up till the cheese is melty. They said it tastes like lasagna or spaghetti sauce? It sounded pretty good and probably would be apetizing. I'm kinda chicken to try many new things. Hope that helps!! -Deb W.

Mary Kathryn, You've gotten some wonderful ideas from here. I personally ate refried beans with cheese and s/f, f/f pudding with dry milk powder and protein powder. It is also good sometimes, to add some cream cheese. Yep, your little tummy will probably feel a lot still - remember that you just had your insides rearranged, give the tummy some time to rest up and heal well. You are doing great and have a good start. Hang in there! God bless, Andrea

My nutritionist recommended eating with a baby spoon and it really has helped me. It looks a little ridiculous but who cares, it serves its purpose. Makes you feel like you are eating alot more than you really are. Its all a head game at first.

Hi Mary: Reading your post is bringing back memories. I just remember needing to chew something desparately. I wanted crunch. Crushed Ice seemed to help a little. I also found the craving for meat to be huge, I still find that I crave meat but I don't enjoy it anymore. My craving was definately related to a lack of protien. I added Isopure Sport drinks to help get the protien in. When I have enough protein I find the cravings drop off. Good luck it really will get better and better every week. Peace, Eileen