Need some advice

16 days post-op.  Still on pureed.  I have had it with protein shakes, ff refried beans, and blackbean soup.  Any ideas?  Can't get my protein in.  I am frustrated!  I've been having Wendy's chili and that's been ok, but getting tired of it as well. 

Any help would be appreciated.

I remember being at that stage and unlike most people I did feel hungry and wanted to eat.  It was crazy, totally worse than before surgery.  It did wear off though, and now I know I'm not really even interested in food at all, I have to remember to eat most of the time.  Anyway going off my list, which I was given before surgery, here are a few things you could try.  I'll include all of them, since there aren't many that are high in protein.

blended canned or cooked poultry or fish (protein)
egg substitute or eggs (these bother some people, but not me) (protein)
greek yogurt (I think double the protein of regular)
light yogurt
low far or fat free cottage or ricotta cheese
sugar free pudding
blended, well cooked vegetables
applesauce
mashed bananas
any blended fruits (I really like pears)
blended oatmeal, grits or cream of wheat
cold flake/rice cereals blended with milk
sugar free jello
sugar free Popsicles
low fat soups blended

I remember not being able to eat much of anything at all, volume wise, though its not much different for me now.  I can just eat a wider variety of foods.  Remember to chew well.  Right when I was able to eat solid foods I picked something up, put it in my mouth, chewed a few times and down it went.  It didn't come back up, but for a couple days I felt terrible.  I haven't done it since.  Try to figure out how much you can have and don't get there.  I make the mistake a lot of taking that one bite or drink too many.  Old habits die hard guess. 

I know I had a terrible time getting enough protein at first.  Liquid too.  I would have been eating all day to get as much protein as I needed sometimes.  I just kept working at it knowing that some days I wasn't going to get as much as I should.  I don't know that that is the "right" answer.  Good luck!

Your frustration is understandable, but please don't be so hard on yourself. A number of folks have problems getting in all the protein in the beginning. Just do the best you can and make sure you get your fluids in every day. Over time, the protein number will improve as you get more choices.

I was lucky that the protein shakes don't bother me. Hang in there. It will get better!

Debbie

Hi Kris,

It is normal to feel frustrated at this stage.  I was too since I couldn't stand refried beans or Wendy's chili. Everyone raved about those and when I tried it I thought I was going to throw up. lol 
There is so many different things that you can do.   A crockpot, a food processor or a magic bullet will be your best friends at this stage and from here on out. 

Ok, do you like shrimps? If you do you can steam your shrimp with a "little" of old bay seasoning. Put in the magic bullet or food processor and stop before it gets too mushy.
My doctor allowed me to have mashed potatoes (at this stage 1 oz would fill me up) I would make instant mash with milk, melted cheese and I would steam broccoli and only use the florettes (puree that) and that would be so good and it always went down nicely.

Also buy dry beans and put the pack in the crock pot with small pieces of beef or chicken breast, I personally would us beef neck bones, chicken or beef buillion, dice up some garlic, a little bit of black pepper, dice up some onions and green pepper and water let that cook for like 3 or 4 hours on high then cook it for another 4 hours on medium and you will have some yummy bean soup.  You would take what you are going to eat and puree it.

You can do white bean chili or regular chili this way.  So yummy and so full of protein.

I lived on crab meat & shrimp for the most part during the stage.  I would get cream of crab soup too I would but 1 cup and it would last me like for 3 meals.

At this early in your journey.  It is stressed that we get a certain amount of protein daily.  But you have to remember that many of us will never make it to that amount. What you need to focus is on getting closer to your meeting your protein goal on a weekly basis and and drinking enough fluids daily so that you do not get dehydrated.

Now when I say striving to get to your protein goal on a weekly basis.  Is that if you only got 30 grams a day then during that week you strive to add another 5 or 10 grams by the end of the next week you should be at 40 grams daily.  Then you do the same for the next week or two until you get to your next goal.

I didn't like protein shakes either and the only 3 that I was able to tolerate was Body Fortress whey protein powder (at Walmart) EAS Vanilla pre mixed (also at walmart) The last one the brand is Nectar. Fuzzy Navel & Twisted Cherry (these you mixed with water)
With the body fortress, I would add a couple of fresh strawberries or half of a banana with a tiny bit of vanilla extract and some splenda with some crush ice and it would be good.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at anytime. 

Best wishes on your journey.

Cira

Hi sweetie. I know this is a hard time, I can recall it like it was just yesterday for me. It was so hard for me to be in that phase but I survived off of No Sugar added fudgesicles. I hated cottage cheese until I tasted it and I LOVED IT! I added some SUGAR FREE CONCORD GRAPE JELLY and even the Strawberry and Peach too. It made for some yummy HIGH PROTEIN treats. I would also eat the life out of those Breyers Light Yogurts. Each one had 6-8 grams of protein. I lived on oatmeal too. Oatmeal has great protein. If you are adding protein to pudding your best bet is to get the cook and serve pudding. I loved that!!! Tracy gave you some awesome ideas honey. Good luck!!!!

I hear ya!  Here are a few tips my nutritionist just gave me last week.  Take a baked potato and scope it out then add, milk, 2% cheese and some light sour cream.    Slushes -  add 1/2 scoop of protein powder to the 4 ounce sugar free Italian Ice cups and mix it in a magic bullet.  Then re-freeze them and eat one or two a day to get an extra 10 to 20 grams of protein plus 4-5 ounces of fluid.   Tuna Fish with some light mayo.

I am not at the 60 grams protein a day yet, but I am getting closer each week.  My nutritionist also told me it is normal to have a hard time getting in the protein when you can only eat 2 ounces at at time and protein shakes don't agree with you.  GOOD LUCK GIRLFRIEND!   One way or another we will make it through this - and feel 500% better by New Years Eve.  Pam

Thank you, thank you Pam.  I hadn't even though of the tuna and I'm eating it now... YUM!!!!  I like the Italian Ice cups trick too.  Will do that tonight.  Will have to make the potato tomorrow!  I just needed some variety.  Chili would be good with the potato as well!

Thanks for the tips, everyone.  Great suggestions and I will use them ALL.  Until yesterday, I had NOOOOO problem getting in 80 grams of protein.  For some reason, I am just not feeling it right now.  Not hungry though I know I need to eat.  Thanks for the encouragement.  I will update at the end of the week!!!

cottage cheese
ricottoa cheese
scrambled eggs and cheese
crab dip
yogurt
split pea soup

Kris, for almost a year out from surgery, I depended on my Liquacel supplement to give me the much needed protein. I went off it after a yr and just realized that I have been getting less than 40 gms daily, so am going back to my trusted source. It might taste nasty for a second but each serving gets me 16 gms and gets my day off to a great start.

Good luck!!!