10 days out can I have....

Hey all,

my RNY surgery was on 9/23 and I am feeling fine, I actually didn't need my pain meds past the first 4-5 days.  I'm up and walking around like normal, just a little discomfort around my incisions due to my allergy to adhesive, but other than that I feel 'almost' normal.

The thing is I'm kinda ****ed off about not knowing what I can eat and what I can't, the nut. put me on purees and soft food last Wed, and I am experimenting with different foods.  I had one episode of 'dumping' which I don't want to repeat, and the culprit was hummus.  Other than that I am sticking to soups, cottage cheese, yoghurt and smashed up vegetarian baked beans in 2oz servings. 

I'm really confused because the nut. said I need to be aiming for 50-60 gms of protein but there is no way I can get that on what I am eating,  Also....whats the deal with the recommendation of Carnation Instant Breakfast?  It's in all their brouchures and I looked at it and it has pretty much only 2 grms of protein per half cup...so whats the point?  Aren't there better sources of drinkable protein at the health food store...I've seen many.

My big question is can I have things like sugar free hot choclate (40 calories) or a dash of sugar free creamer(5 Calories) in a cup of coffee at this stage?  I'd love a warm cup of something once a day.

If anyone has any books or suggestions for eating post WLS let me know...I'm getting pretty tired of cottage cheese at this point.

Also, I lost most of my 'ticker weight' prior to surgery, I'm on day 11 now and today the scale says I have lost 5lbs since surgery...FIVE POUNDS?  that's it?  I thought with all this tiny little meals thing I'd have at least dropped a few more by now.  I'm kinda disheartened, especially when I see people losing 30+ pounds in their first month, and yep...I have over 100 to lose so I thought I'd be losing faster.


thanks

Okay first of all about the weight loss.. while you're in the hospital they pump you full of liquids.. saline, antibiotics, etc... so you come out of the hospital more than likely weighing more than when you walked in for surgery... its water weight.. do not get hung up on #'s at this point in your journey.. I'd throw away your scale for at least 6 mons.. seriously... Once you get on the protein regimen all the sudden you'll start melting and it will happen... Alot of people gain 5-10lbs while in the hospital just from fluids..

The first few weeks you will struggle to get enough protein in based on your diet.. that is why a protein shake is so important- even for the first year...  If you didn't buy one pre-surgery, then go buy a tub of protein powder now and start making a daily protein shake.. 1 scoop of protein(about 26g of protein depending on brand) blended with a glass of milk is going to be like
30-35+ g of protein right there. Easy easy way to get your protein in. The most important thing post surgery is to get your protein and water in .. and your supplements. My NUT said in the first few weeks you will struggle to get to 50.. it will get easier.. .i'm almost 4 mons post op and now i get 75-100 in between a daily shake and eating protein...

Carnation instant breakfast is on almost all of our post surgery protein list.. its just another source.. most people for go that and just use a protein shake.. whatever ingredient is in CIB.. it gave me hives! Threw it out and just used protein powder for shakes. Also keep in mind there are all kinds of sugar free syrups out there so you can make any kind of flavor shake you want so you don't get bored.

Keep in mind you can puree canned tuna and chicken (at least I could)
Remember that your pouch needs to heal.. post surgery your staple line is only at 20% strength. Thats why we eat a puree/soft diet and let it heal.. and measure measure measure.. you do not want to stretch your pouch at this stage.- should still be at a few table spoons to a 1/4 cup of something till 3-6 mons... i was told 6 mons by my NUT
The trick is that you have to puree it though.. read all your labels for fat and sugar guidelines so you dont' dump again. Hidden sugars are in alot of foods, and treat anything listed as a sugar alcohol as a regular gram of sugar...

cottage cheese, yogurt, sugar free jello pudding/jello, refried beans, chicken broth, cream soups(watch fat and sugar in these- tomato is high in sugar)
I know this food stage can be boring.. just make sure that you puree everything down to a smooth consistency...

If you have any other questions just ask! You can do it!
You feel very prepared pre-surgery but I know its a whole new world when you're post-surgery and actually doing it!

At that stage I scrambled eggs and pureed w/ salsa.  I also cooked ground chicken w/ taco seasoning and pureed w/ salsa (to thin it out a bit).  I kept containers of both in the fridge.  I would mix the two or mix refried beans w/ the taco meat and a little taco sauce and sour cream.  I could top those things w/ grated cheese, too.  I also cooked ground turkey sausage and pureed w/ salsa.  That was great mixed w/ the eggs and cheese.  The buffalo chicken recipe below also purees well and is good heated up if you like spicy foods.  I ate it quite a bit during my puree stage.

1 Lg can chicken (12.5 oz)
2 oz 0% fat greek yogurt
2 oz non fat cream cheese
4 tbsp Frank's Red Hot sauce
3 tbsp crumbled bleu cheese
a few shakes onion powder

Mix it all together in a pan and heat, stirring until warmed through and melted.

Each 1/2 c. serving (your serving sizes will be smaller, of course) contains the following:

164 calories
4.6 g fat
1 g carbs
24.3 g protein

 I'm right behind you and think you got great answers.  Nice of Stacy to take all the time to answer your concerns.  And I like the recipes on the next post.  

Take it easy!  You can do this.  I bought the carnation instant breakfast SUGAR FREE formula and it has 5 g protein, adding a glass of 1% milk brought it to 13.   also I'm adding protein powder to hot cereal and things.  And drinking protein drinks.  And lots of water.  Not even really considering the scale at this point.  

Good luck!

Go Mary.. Go Mary!!!  *\o/* (virtual cheerleader)

Did you get a booklet for diet suggestions from the clinic?  I had Dr Ikramuddin too, and found the suggestions in the booklet very helpful for 'what can I eat now' questions. 

Yes, you should be 'aiming for' 50-60 gms of protein, but you won't get that amount while still on pureed foods- it will take some time to reach that.  The CIB is on the suggested meal plan as a way to get smaller amounts of liquids and protein in early on.

At this point, you can have pureed meats (I cooked my own and tossed them with broth or low fat gravy into the blender or food processer).  Chili made with lean turkey and beans is good, and is usually well tolerated. Soups are mostly liquid, so won't have much protein.  Scrambled eggs, tuna or salmon (well mashed and mixed with a little mayo or yogurt are other high protein options.

You can always call the clinic and ask to talk with the dietician if you have questions.  I found the staff to be very helpful and responsive.