Okay I made it!

Today is Easter Sunday - I had my lap-RYN Tuesday. It really went without a hitch (so far!). I had no complications other than a emotional ambush the night before. I never hesitated, but I did shed my first tears of fear and felt *****y about not being anywhere near done with the "to do list". I was just a bit overwhelmed I guess. The morning of (5:00 a.m.) I was cool as anything. Once you get there, they keep you busy with little tasks, and are so nice. I got my I.V. started in the pre-op area and feggettabouttit they give you happy/calm drugs right away! With that started there's nothing else to it! Well there is waking up in recovery, but they are very aggressive about pain management. I was in two nights. My husband has been a perfect support (although I don't think I was always the perfect patient). I have had no problem tolerating the drugs I take or the food choices (O.K. liquid choices). I am starting to have many questions which I will pepper you all with. My first question is this...at this early stage I am being very conservative as in just pureed things and a pretty limited list of things. I am tolerating dairy fine. Can I do any taste assistance as in spices, salt and pepper, soy sauce, with these bland things? I just about died with how bad canned chicken broth is - maybe bullion cubes are way better? I was thinking my favorite wonton soup at local rest. would be heaven, even if I just strained everything out and only had the broth. I was worried about whatever they do to make the broth so good. I know they don't use MSG. Do you think this is a risk at this stage? Also, thank you all who gave me encouragement that day before. It was a bit help. Sorry I can't respond back right now but computer is being tricky.

I know things taste horrible. I actually gag with alot of the liquids.I personally believe you should follow everything your doctor says.You were blessed with this surgery make the most of it.Im 2 months out things get better.Good luck its the hardest diet Ive ever been through. but you will feel fantastic when it starts comming off.Just go day by day.

Patty - so good to hear from you! Glad you are doing well. I have never had Wonton soup before so I don't know how spicy it is, but I know my doctor said no spicy foods as in hot/spicy. I can have salt and pepper, and I don't think MSG is any worse than salt on your pouch. I hate canned boullion as well and find Wylers is pretty good, but even better might be Lipton Cup-o-Soup with those tiny little noodles. I KNOW that stuff tastes good! Soy sauce to me isn't spicy - just salty, so I don't think it would be a problem. So happy to see you are back and feeling good! Keep us posted on how you are doing! Dina

Welcome to the other side, Patty!! The first six weeks post-op were the most difficult for me. I couldn't have pureed foods until I was a full three weeks out from my surgery date. Before that, it was an ounce of ensure (mixed with protien powder) every three hours. I never want to see the stuff again. After three weeks, I was allowed pureed food. I had a lot of cottage cheese and scrambled eggs. I would puree a little bit of a peach and mix it with the cottage cheese, or I would puree a fresh tomato and mix it. I bought canned ham and purred that to mix with scrambled eggs. I also ate my fair share of tuna salad. ....Anyway....good luck and keep us posted on your progress! -Mary P

Congratulations on your successful surgery! I know you're way excited. This was one of the hardest times for me, you're expecting something to happen, and it seems so slow while you're recuperating. Even though it seems like this first time period goes so slow, in the long run, it's really fast. I too was on Carnation instant breakfast (with protein powder mixed in) for 5 meals throughout the day for 3 weeks like Mary. I would have almost killed to have something to "eat" by the time that period was up. The next three weeks were devoted to pureed foods. Although I was thankful to be "eating" I have to admit tuna, scrambled egg beaters, and cottage cheese got kind of old. Because my doctor was so strict with his post op food plans, I didn't really try anything else. During my liquid stage in the first 3 weeks I did try clear chicken broth. It was a good "taste" change and gave me the salty taste I craved. However, I only would drink a couple of sips and that was enough. I tried some "egg flower" soup once, but only took a few sips then got afraid that maybe it would make me sick. I'm a wimp! During that time I also experimented more with drinks: water, crystal light, 50% juice, 50% water, etc. I still have a hard time getting water in, and I admit that I get nowhere near what I should. (Gonna have to work on that!) I'm sure I'm no help to you, but at least it gives you info on what other people have had during the same time period. Good luck!!