I'm a newbie!!

Hi, I've been working my way around the website. Maybe I'm slow, but I finally found the OH message board. I'm so impressed with all the support that is shared here. So far I've seen my nutritionist and had a psych eval done (she wants to see me again 7/23). I spoken with Dr. Lichtenstein's office. It appears she will be going on vacation in August and I can't get a surgery date before then. Sooo, my date will be sometime in September. I haven't had my pre-ops done. Does anyone know what Dr. L's pre-ops include? I know I'm just beginning, but I'm getting anxious, nervous, excited, scared....etc. I would also like some information for menus after the surgery. The nutritionist indicated liquids only for the first three or four weeks. Then soft foods (basically baby foods) for the next three or four weeks. Is this a typical menu? I haven't tried any of the protein powders yet, does anyone have any suggestions? Kathyknthburg

Kathy, I was on pureed foods the first 4 weeks then to soft foods for 4 weeks then I got to introduce some solid foods after that. In the begining I ate sugar free jello, sugar free puddings, pureed cottage cheese, baby food is ok with some salt but it is easier. Sugar free popsicles ( I love them) they told me I could cook chicken breast and puree it and that was good. As for protein shakes, a lot of people are doing the Real Meals, I tried them but they are to thick for me. They foam up some and it's hard for me to get it down so I use the EAS Advantage Whey Protein in chocolate flavor. IT taste like deluted chocolate milk to me. I make mine with water and not milk. I get that at Wal-Mart for $8.47 a can and a can last me a week. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. Good Luck in you journey and Welcome to the Ohio board.

Okay, here's a two part answer... ~ Protein: I like the UNFLAVORED protein powder. That way you can add the powder to anything, or everything you eat, and it won't change the taste of your foods. You do, however, want to use Whey protein, not Soy. ~Pureed Foods includes; cooked cereal, (cream of wheat, oatmeal, grits), mashed potatoes, stage 1 and 2 baby foods, blended (use a blender to puree the foods) cottage cheese, cooked meat, starchy veggies (peas, winter squash, sweet potato) You get the idea... ~Soft food includes; UN-blended cottage cheese, water packed tuna fish or canned chicken, diet/lite yogurt, diet pudding made with skim milk, etc. Your dietician should be able to give you a good list, or idea of what kind of foods. I hope this helps out. ~Cyndi