Question:
How can you consume refried beans and cheese and....

mashed potatoes, bean soup, chili etc and still lose weight? These are all high in carbs. How much and how often would you eat these? Do you need to eat these items as often as possible throughout the day, or is it 2 oz and you are done with one meal and sipping the rest of the day until your next meal? Please help me clarify this Thank you so much for your support and thank you to everyone that responds to my questions. I am only 10 days post op with RNY and need a lot of help. lol Kristy    — Kristy (posted on January 13, 2006)

January 13, 2006
Hi Kristy - it all depends on the protocol your surgeon/nut has you on post op. I was not allowed beans of any kind for several months because of the gas it could cause me. I did eat a lot of cheese, for the protein value, refried beans have a lot of fiber which is good for us - I still dont eat mashed potatoes or potatoes in any form because of the carbs, but many do, but I do make Chili beans with ground turkey, a huge pot once a week, and early post op had my 2 oz, and now at 21 months, i can still only eat half a cup. It all depends on what you are allowed and how you eat it. I tried to choose those foods that had more protein than carbs because pre op i was a carb junkie, and carbs make us hungry for more carbs. What has your nut suggested when eating the foods you mentioned. Congrats on your surgery, it is an awesome journey for sure, and such a learning curve, but you will soon learn your own rhythm when it comes to those foods which are best for you, and in which combinations to eat them. Cindi -216#
   — DollyDoodles

January 13, 2006
Kristy, as that your only 10 days out I wouldn't really be worrying about those foods if I were you, but I'll tell you that the foods you want to eat are OK as long as you can tolerate them. The high carb foods will help you with energy during your healing process, but be careful of the ones that create gas, such as beans, chili and be careful of the cheese, it can be a factor in constipation and THAT you don't want 10 days out. The mashed potatoes will give you potassium if you leave the skins on. If your having trouble tolerating milk I would be hesitant to try american cheese, try cheddar or something similar. The aging process in cheddar nagates the lactose and you might find you can eat it and not the american. When I was 10 days out I was still eating eggs for protein, and tuna which has omega fatty acids which help promote healing and will help with depression and a host of other health related issues. I drank juice constantly, but couldn't tolerate protien shakes. I'm almost 10 months out and have lost over 120 pounds and have not had too much trouble except I can't tolerate milk or american cheeses. But for the most part I eat anything I want too, until my tummy tells me it's full then I quit. But I'm allways drinking something, it helps me flush the food through my system. All my tests on my blood, calcium, B12, vitamin c, d,just everything they check has allways come back perfect. I'm sure you'll do just fine, I went into this after I thought I knew what to expect but come to find out it's all a matter of REALLY getting to know your body like you never did before. Good luck. If you want to talk or need anything else my e-mail is [email protected]. Karyn
   — Zimpo

January 13, 2006
My doctor told me about 2oz meal 4 times a day with no grazing inbetween.
   — ree

January 13, 2006
Hi Kristy..I am 4 weeks post-op. I just tried refried beans the other nite, with a little chedder cheese melted on them. I could only eat about 3 spoonfuls and was full. They caused a little gas, but wasn't painful to me. One thing I have found to drink is called "Isopure". It has 40gm of protein, 160 calories for a full bottle, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and it counts toward your daily water intake. I am able to sip it at work between meals. At this point in my post-op, I am still eating soft/puree foods 5-6 times a day, and drinking water or the Isopure between. Good luck !!! Maurica
   — Maurica

January 13, 2006
Hi Kristy, As you have already received many responses to your question, you sould still be on pureed food at this point and that is where these soft food come into play. after your healing process, you should be introduced to mor dense proteins such as meat products & stay away from the high carb foods. as others have said all doc's are different in what they want you to do. if the beans work for you at this point eat them, they were my best friend in the first 6 weeks. you have to be creative in those first 4-6 weeks, then it get a little easier. good luck & congrats on being on the losing side of life. Marilyn, the Bearlady
   — Marilyn C.

January 13, 2006
Grab you some Beano -- you're going to need it. I'd say check with the nutritionist --if there was one -- from your surgeon's office or check with your surgeon on your next followup visit.
   — the7thdean

January 13, 2006
Kristy, Did your Dr. give you eating directions to follow post op? My Dr gave me sample menus and such as well as directions. If they did not give them a call. I was in the liquid phase at 10 days out so potatoes, chili and even cheese did not come for a few weeks. Or perhaps you are planning for your next phase???? Yes some of these foods are high carbs but with the amount you can eat don't sweat it! Its later down the road that you will be modifying these foods. In the beginning you may be lucky to get 2 oz....There are other choices such as Lit n Fit Yogurt, SF applesauce and cottage cheese....I know most people don't like CC but its high in protein and less calories....I hope this helps.
   — dcox94

January 14, 2006
Kristy, I believe it's been said, but I will reiterate .. the first few weeks are more about healing than anything else. Foods such as the ones you mention are soft and require little work for digestion, which is what it's all about early post-op. Good luck!
   — Jeanie

January 14, 2006
You definitely should not be eating all the time - that is one of the habits you need to break! two ounces should fill you up. try to eat high-protein foods first, to get your protein in. that prevents losing lean tissue and aids in muscle development. At this point, you should not be eating carbs, so mashed potatoes are out. i sam a year out, and still have trouble with eggs, which most people can eat. Eggs are high in protein. Cheese is good, too. I found that I could eat shrimp and lobster more easily than meat, and still can. I know those are expensive, but a quarter pound of either lasts me a whole week! At your lenght fro surgery, soup is okay, but you really should not eat much soup, once you are out of the liquid phase, because you need denser protein. I suggest consulting a dietician who is familiar with bariatric surgery, either through your surgeon or at the hospital where they did the op.
   — Novashannon

January 14, 2006
It seems you'll get as many answers as there are responders..........so here is mine. During the first several weeks, while you are healing, soft foods are the key. Despite what you've learned in the past about those BAD carborhydrates.....they really are your friend at this point. Of course, this is in limited quantitites. I stocked up on cottage cheese, s/f puddings and applesauce, refried beans, cream of wheat, oatmeal, etc. Beans are an excellent source of protein, and they have been a lifesaver for me. I can't seem to hold down eggs and most meats come back up, too. I am six weeks out and eating about 1/3 c of chili, or bean soup or split pea soup per meal. Carbs will give you some much needed energy and it is not like you are eating the whole six pack at a time. My typical day consists of a protein shake first thing in the morning, 1/4 cup of oatmeal about an hour later.........lunch is usually chili or a soup with protein (bean, pea) mid afternoon protein shake.........dinner is hit or miss. I can eat the spaghetti sauce (about a tablespoon) but can't keep the pasta down, so I skip it. I can handle about 1/2 cup of salad made with iceberg lettuce and l/f ranch, but I can't handle baby spinach, yet. It is truly a learning process and will be for a very long time, I am sure! Good luck! I was told not to count calories or worry about carbs during the first six weeks - every Dr. is different, but I suspect that with the small amounts eaten per meal, you can't do too much damage, if any, to your weightloss efforts. Btw, mashed potatoes were an excellent food during the healing. The milk added gives you some protein and they are soft. Go easy on the butter, if at all, but remember, you still need fat in your diet, too!
   — LauraA

January 17, 2006
Kristy, Just to throw in my two cents...... I researched a lot before surgery and am now a week post op. I talked with poeple who lived off KFC mashed potatoes and gravy and Taco bell pintos and cheese. Not that I want to live off of them, but I am able to have them with no problem. The suggestion was that no matter how/where the refried beans come from (vegetarian or fat free would be best) add drops of beano directly to the beans before you eat them and the gas is not an issue. I got the liquid beano at my Walmart, but I had to ask for it as it is behind the counter (They need to kep track for ordering). They carry pills now and have to order the liquid special. Good Luck, I am sure your adventure will be a god one and that you will figure your own personal preference out as you go. :o) Best of Luck and God Bless.
   — continuedmoon

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