Question:
Suggestions for travel for work while in liquid stage of post-op diet/recovery?
This may be premature to worry about (as it may not happen), but thought I'd ask. My surgery is on July 30th, and will be off work until approximately Sept 1. As luck would have it, there is a strong chance I'm going to have to fly to New York State (I'm in Nebraska) in early September as part of a group for work to take a test. Since I'll still be on liquids at that point, any suggestions of how to handle that? Do I just have to search for a nice restaurant that will put things in a blender for me? I thought about packing baby food, but checked that out at the grocery store, and since the meat options underwhelmed me (and there were only 4 grams of protien per jar), I've sort of decided against them in general. Any suggestions? — Kelly B. (posted on July 12, 2002)
July 11, 2002
You will still be on liquids at 4+ weeks post-op?? My surgeon prescribes
2 weeks of liquids, then 2 weeks of pureed foods, then 2-4 weeks of soft
foods before graduating to regular food.
You may want to check with your surgeon or the nutritionist that is
associated with your surgeon's practice too.
If you are allowed to have pureed foods by the time you go to NY, then you
can have stuff like unsweetened applesauce, cottage cheese (low fat), soft
low fat chees, yogurt (low sugar), canned flaked tuna, scrambled/soft
boiled/poached egg. It still limits you a lot, but it's better than pure
liquids. Will it be a requirement that you eat out or would it be an
option for you to eat in your room?
— John Rushton
July 11, 2002
Ahh my surgeon says there are TWO ways to puree, in a blender or your
mouth,. Cut everything into pencil eraser sized pieces and chew to death.
You wouldnt be able to eat much but that will improve over time.
— bob-haller
July 11, 2002
I had to travel for work about 6 weeks after surgery. I ended up bringing
a lot of food with me. If you can get a room with a refrigerator that
helps because then you can get cheese and milk to get protein in. I didn't
have one. What I did find were these things almost like cup of soups.
They were a store brand (Dominick's/Safeway) but I believe Knorr makes some
too. They have things like red beans and rice (9 grams protein), Cous
Cous, potato leek, cream of mushroom. I think they all had over 5 grams of
protein. All you need is hot water (use coffee maker with no coffee).
When I went out to eat we went to a steak house. There was no way I could
eat steak at this point without being sick. I ordered a baked potato with
cheese and mushrooms. Very mushy, very good. No one looked at me funny,
just said I was on a diet. They always brought lunch in always these
croissant sandwiches. YUCH! I ate some potato salad but I brought protein
bars with me. You could also brings Ensure or Slim Fast. Probably won't
be the most nutritional of meals, but its something to get you by.
— Lucky Gal U.
July 12, 2002
Consider the baby food option, but forget the meats (gag me), and instead
take along protein powder to get in those quotas. Also, you will probably
be allowed things like Cream of Wheat, applesauce and the like by then, and
you may find restaurants with those on the menu.
— photographer45
July 12, 2002
At 6 weeks out my dr had released me to eat "whatever I could
tolerate." But if your dr still says liquids/mushy foods, try soups,
tuna/chicken salad w/crackers (make sure there aren't crunchy veggies in
it, tho!), thinly sliced deli meat (turkey or ham are best), cheeses,
chili, baked potato w/ lots of cheese, pretty much anything mushy except
rice, pasta, and bread. Don't forget you may also be able to have crunchy
stuff that liquefies in your mouth like crackers (makes the tuna bearable
:). If you are still truly on liquids, you can take a couple of strainers
and a box of plastic bags. I ordered soup (extra empty bowl, please) and
strained it in many a restaurant while on liquids. If you can get milk, NSA
Carnation Instant Breakfast can be a lifesaver, too.
— ctyst
July 12, 2002
Oops... this is Kelly... it should be pureed/mushy foods by that point. I
realized I typed it wrong after I posted it, but it was too
late.<br>Thanks for the replies so far. :)
— Kelly B.
July 12, 2002
Hopefully you have found your favorite protien drinks by then. I always
package these for all my trips and drink at least 2 per day. I use
sandwich bags and put 1 scoop in a bag and I carry small shaker bottles
(bough at any Walmart in the plastic container section) with me. I add my
4 oz. water and single serving baggie and Voila! I have my correct portion
of protien drink. As far as food, you can order 1 scrambled egg and toast
in AM, Cottage cheese and Tuna for lunch and dinners. Most restaurants
have soups - probably chicken noodle or egg drop would be great choices.
Be creative and ASK waitress/waiters - they are normally glad to help you
with different choices! I have made special requests in all different
places and have had people respond with courtesy and kindness.
— Mary U.
July 12, 2002
A co-worker and I have attended conferences in several cities over the past
six years and we always ask, when making a reservation, for a refrigerator
in the room. My friend has chronic back problems and must ice her back
several times a day. She also keeps medicines and special foods/juices in
the fridge. We have always gotten a fridge (sometimes we have to remind the
hotel once we arrive) and very rarely do we have to pay an extra fee as it
is for medical reasons. Have a great trip!
— Rebecca T.
July 13, 2002
I think the best way to approach your travel situation - is to pack things
with you that you know you can eat :) Like protein shakes, and soups, and
when you go out to eat - order things like soups = and broths - and when
you are there buy popsicles, ( sugar free of course) and you should be
fine. Just look at what you will eat before you go - you can even pre-call
the hotel and let them know you have special dietary restrictions, and if
they could help you out - ( i used to work for hotels - Trust me this
happens a lot) Hope this helps
_ jenn
— Jenny R.
July 13, 2002
Each day, restaurants are more diet, food restricted friendly for their
clientele. I have been out to restaurants where I have asked them to
prepare a protein drink for me using my powder and whatever liquid I wanted
at the time. Or I have asked for a portion of fruit to be added. The charge
is for whatever I have ordered. They will puree foods for you as well. Just
ask. Be certain to tip the waiter/waitress well especially if they have
made things easy for you without giving you the third degree. When I was on
Optifast, many years ago, I went to dinner at an upscale restaurant near
Lincoln Center. My date had his meal and the waiter was asked to prepare my
Optifast drink. Out he brought it in a crystal goblet on a little silver
tray with a small flower in a bud vase. The waiter whispered to me that he
was very proud of me. He made me feel wonderful.Best of luck.
— LORRAINE K.
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