Recipe and Meal Ideas

As I get closer and closer to being faced with the lifestyle change of weight loss surgery, I am having difficulty with coming to terms with or rather developing a strategy for meals. I understand that I will be on clear liquids the first two weeks or maybe more. What clear liquids exist other than water and chicken broth? I am finding it hard to think outside the box here and I need some suggestiions. Additionally, have any of you developed somewhat of a cook book or food journal that you can share online? Again, I am having difficulty in developing a stategy of how I will get so many small meals in a day and what will actually be appropriate for me to eat. Thanks Alex

Hi Alex - I'm pre band but I can give you a list of what I have gotten from my Dr. and NUT for clear liquids: Decaf coffee Decaf tea ,many flavored herbal teas can be made ahead and sweetened (sf of course)then chilled. sf jello sf popsicles crystal light, or any other sf drink mix broth clear fruit juice, dilute with 50% water per NUT Hope this helps, I know it will be difficult when I have to do it myself too. But, it's all for the cause! Wendy

You can search or post on the main board for recipe ideas. Lot of people have them on their pages or will email them to you. Dame Tooter is one. She has lots of information to share. You won't be hungry so having a variety to drink or eat won't be as big a deal as pre-surgery, at least that's the way it was for me. My MD had me drink only protein drinks or water the first week. I couldn't tolerate the milky (chocolate, vanilla, etc) types. They were so thick and sweet I still can't drink them. The 'fruity' kind works best for me. I like the Unjury flavors and also use the protein bullets. Do worry too much about a strategy other than having drinks on hand for when you get home. Chances are things you like before will be no big deal and you'll be drinking just because you have to. Best wishes!

Wendy and Karen, thank you both for your responses, I will definitely follow up with your suggestions. You know this is the first time that I have heard of "protein bullets". Can I pick up protein bullets at GNC? Thanks Alex

You cannot get the protein bullets at GNC... you can only order them online. I saw somebody posted that the protein bullets wernt "complete" protein and we always want to look for "complete" proteins... you may want to research this some to find out, I no longer take protein suppliments so I didnt bother to see if what that person said was true As for the eating... I found my NUT was most helpful in breaking everything down for me... I only eat 3 meals a day and usually 1 snack... as for what is appropraite - its all about meeting your nutritional goals.. my meals are 1/2 protein/ and the other 1/2 is made up of fruits/veggies and then 2 servings of starch/grains a day. I am 10 months out so my food journal wouldnt really help out too much!!

I think I may try to meet with the NUT once more before the surgery. My meeting went by very quickly. The one thing that I remembered was her suggestion to use unflavored protein power to add to soups, water, juices etc. She said that otherwise I would be limited by using only Chocolate or Vanilla protein shakes.

I found Sodium Free Bouillon broth at Food Lion yesterday, in both chicken and beef flavor, the sodium free will keep you from retaining water. If you look on back of alot of the broths you will see how extremely high they are, now I do not know how it taste, but better than plain water I hope. Also I found sugar free orandeade by tropicana at Food Lion.

I will definitely purchase my food supplies before surgery and perhaps give everything a taste test before hand. Although, I guess it is possible that my taste buds may have a taste for something else after surgery. I am glad that you pointed out the sodium issue. All I have to do is look at salt and I start to retain water.

I really like popcicles. I also like herbal teas. Jello is another. I think many people over think the whole event. For me the time passes quickly. And I found that the first few day after surgery I was depressed and freak out about what I had agreed to. After it all settled in, I had been working on this for 4 years and I had plenty of time to think and think and plan about this event, I moved gradually into my diet. For me it was 2 weeks liquid, surgery, 2 weeks pureed foods, 2 weeks soft foods, and then I could add raw veggies. I am excited about the raw veggies. I was missing it. I am still working on getting my meals in and drinking the water. It is progress not perfection. Antoinette