Starting week two!!! Hurray for Puree!!

As I'm trying new foods, I'm already experiencing some problems. Turns out that 4 oz. of hummus has 14 fat which is over my max of 10 for a meal. Choosing the instant "loaded" mashed potatoes was not a good choice either. I only managed a few bites before ditching that meal!!

My doctor has said to take it slow.. but I want to eat! I was really looking forward to this stage since it would allow more variety. I'm all about mixing things up! How did everyone else do at this stage?

I was also wondering how much your pouches can hold. I can do only 4 oz of the thick greek yogurt (Fage 2% is AWESOME with lots of protein) but was able to eat 8 oz of thin oatmeal for breakfast this morning. Am I "stretching" already? I didn't feel uncomfortable :o)

Kristine

 I blended soups (read the label first) and that was good.  I also ate the cheesy chili recipe in the book (p. 38) and liked it.  For the oatmeal, I use 1/4 cup dry, cook with water, then add 1/4 cup milk mixed with protein powder, add 1 tbsp sugar free syrup.  (Also from the book--only the book says 1/2 cup dry oat meal but it may be 2 servings because that's too much for me.  I also cook with water intstead of milk since I'm lactose intolerant and I've always cooked my oat meal with water....)  I struggled with yogurt and pudding at the liquid stage but they worked well as a puree for me.  I just wasn't ready for the thicker consistency before.  

At this stage I noticed that food temperature was important.  I take so long to eat that by the time I get half way through, it's cold....but it doesn't taste/feel good cold so I sometimes had to reheat my food in the middle of a meal!  (Still the case...)

Good luck to you!!  I'm on soft foods now...almost ready to transition to "regular."

One of the things Doctor P stressed is to measure and not exceed 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of food as you can't feel yet due to the work done on the stomach muscles & nerves, so even if you don't feel full, don't pu****  I also ate greek yogurt and I mix the fat free with the 2 % and make my own 1%.  -

I also made sugar free pudding w/ protein powder in it - 1 package of pudding, 2 cups milk (I do 1%) and a serving of protein powder (mix with the milk before adding the pudding mix). 

I had a hard time with smoothies made in the blender - too much air - made me uncomfortable.

I also did blended soups and I made my own hummus - so that I could control how much fat was in it - it is really easy to make - I even put unflavored protein powder in it to pump up the value in it.

I also liked ricotta cheese w/ cinnamon and sugar free syrup (vanilla or brown sugar cinnamon are really yummy in it)

Just a few thoughts -

Yup - you HAVE to measure and not go by feeling full/not full this early out. 

Reading labels is KEY.  I know most surgeons say mashed potatoes...but I find that to be a TERRIBLE idea because it offers almost no protein value and can awake the "carb monster" in you if you were a "victim" to carb foods before surgery.

As far as thin vs thick..yes...you will be able to eat more thin things than you are denser things.  They go through the pouch quicker.  I'm not suggesting this is a good thing, mind you....but it is what it is. 

Each stage can be VERY difficult to acclimate to...give yourself time.

Pureed suggestions:

Ricotta cheese w/ splenda and cinnamon
Ricotta cheese layered w/ a little pizza sauce, garlic powder, and maybe a sprinkle of parm. cheese, nuked in the microwave for a "lasagna" like flavor
Home made egg salad w/ low fat mayo
Meatballs (preferably home made) pureed up with some beef stock/broth
Scrambled eggs, a little runny unfortunately (egg beaters would be a good idea)
Continue with the greek yogurt
Soups pureed - but I personally would take out things like potatoes and noodles before pureeing
Chilli (again - preferably home made to control levels of fat) pureed, can put some greek yogurt on it as sour cream
Refried beans (watch fat content)

Each surgeon is different...but I wasn't allowed pureed until 4 weeks out (one week clear liquids, two weeks full liquids, then pureed) take it REAL slow and easy, eat by the clock and by the scale.

And real quick, a thought that "got me through" - you mentioned "wanting" to eat.  I so totally know how you feel - but try to remember that you have done your fair share of eating over your lifetime, and you WILL eat again.  Right now, your priority is healing and....well, that's it.  HEALING.  And whatever you need to do to allow yourself to completely heal is what you need to do.

Good luck!

Pam

Thank you for all of the ideas! It is so helpful to have others who know what you are going through. And even better when so many have had the same surgeon! I'm back to work today and am nervous about keeping up with the fluid and food schedule. Not to mention the activity part! Thank goodness hubby go the treadmill up and running yesterday :o)

Kristine

My doc said to skip the puree and just chew. The only things I cant eat are fruits with thick skins like oranges, Lettuce, Beef Pork tough meats ect. Other then that I have free rain!!! And we had our surgeries on the same day. I have been weighin my food and I can useually eat about 3 oz ish. As for things like oatmeal its more liquidy so I can eat more of it. Glad to c ur doing soo well.... Im down 16lbs and enjoying every minute of it!!!! Keep up the good work!!