Question:
I am 3 weeks post op and wondering if there are any others that were afraid to start

eating the regular foods instead of the soft? I am afraid, but will try. Also, was anyone else's stomach still sore from the surgery? Thanks!    — Debbie V. (posted on March 7, 2003)

March 6, 2003
Hi. I have NOT had my surgery yet but I have talked to and read that Chicken is rough at first so maybe you should wait on trying that. I hear alot say steak too but they can eat other types of beef just fine. Lots of fish is good. Its really a try and see type situation. keep a food journal. If something does not sit right don't try it for a few months. My friend did this (he was also one that couldn't do chicken at 1st but now he can). Journal journal journal. Good luck jamie
   — Jamie M.

March 6, 2003
I am 2 1/2 weeks out and my stomach is still sore. I cannot sleep on my left side. I have just now been given clearance to eat soft solids. I won't progress to 'real' foods until 6 weeks. I don't think I am going to push it, I'll stay within the diet right now.
   — Sandy T.

March 6, 2003
Try anything you want in the protein family but remember to cut it up really small and chew, chew, chew. You will do great. Wait 3 minutes between bites also if you can. The only thing I had trouble with early on was green beans.
   — MARSHA D.

March 6, 2003
I am three and half weeks out and the left side of my tummy is really sore. i can't bend to tie my left shoe. It is really sore and hurtful. My friend had hers done in November and she says she is still a little sore in that place also.
   — Delores S.

March 6, 2003
I am almost 5 weeks PO. My surgeon's program had me moving to solid foods at week 2 with the understanding that before the food left my mouth it was mush. In other words chew, chew, chew, chew.... When I got the go to start with solids I was a little scared also so I went for egg beaters with cheese as my first meal and it went really well. I also did well with ham, and actually got the cheaper stuff as it does have more water in it and at first that is helpful. I buy the healthier stuff now but that first week of solid food it did help. Low fat cottage cheese, string cheese, deli chicken and turkey with a very small amount of fat free gravy on it to help chew and swallow easy. The whites of hard boiled eggs with salt and pepper is one of my favorites also. I have always used BBQ sauce like most people use mayo. I found some wonderful BBQ turkey that is lower in fat and carbs than most of the things my surgeon had on his list and higher in protein. It is made by the Turkey Store and I found it in the turkey section, by the other fresh meats etc. 1/4 cup has 10 grams of protein, 1.5 gram of carbs, 1.75 grams of fat. The carbs is lower than 1/2 tsp of BBQ sauce out of a bottle, so somehow they are making it very very low sugar. The only recommendation I have is to freeze half of it right away, otherwise it takes a very long time to use it up at a 1/4 c a time. Fishes are all very good sources of protein. I just tried the white albacore tuna in the pouch the other day and it was very good and I've never been a big tuna person. A pouch is 3 oz. I ate 1/2 which was 11.5 grams of protein. I have even eaten ground up beef in Wendy's Chili, Manwhich and salisbury steak. Because there are some sauces with it I have had no problem eating it. I do not think I will try steak or roast for a while yet. It all comes down to how you do with foods. Start with the blander things and see how it goes. I have been very fortunate that I have had zero problems with food. My program has it that I can eat as much as a 1/2 c. per meal but usually I eat 1/4-3/8 of a cup. Just not enough room. <p>I'm not sure what you mean by your stomach being sore. Do you literally mean your excluded stomach, pouch or overall abdomen? If it's the abdomen it takes a while. I actually was doing pretty good as far as muscle soreness in the rib area in weeks 3 and 4 until the end of week 4. I still have 2 holes in my incision that I am packing so it can heal from the inside out. I discover by accident that if you slightly angle the q-tip when sticking in the hole it is actually 3+ inches deep yet, not the 1" we thought. So my surgeon was poking around on it last Friday and it got sore. Then I decided to go back on my BiPAP Friday night and by the 3rd morning that the pressures were way to high and were forcing my muscles, chest, ribs to be moving more than normal all night. By monday morning the pain was alsmost back to just a few days PO. I have not been using my machine this week and each day it is getting better but the pain is incredible. The surgeon said that also I am more active now and that the muscles are likely pulling on the incision in the fascia causing pain. He said he has seen this before, to develop this kind of healing pain at around 1 month or so PO after not having a lot of pain the previous week or two. Our bodies are just trying to deal with evrything that has been thrown at it. It sure has limited me this week, but at least it's slowly getting better. So hang in there! Eventually the pain will be a distant memory.
   — zoedogcbr

March 7, 2003
I am 3 weeks PO and I have been trying to stay within the established diet. I am really nervous about over-eating, dumping or throwing up. I have progressed to srambled eggs, tuna fish (in the pouch is great), cut-up boiled potatoes, etc. I only introduce one new food a day so I can see what type of reaction I have. Tonight I'm going to try baby shrimp scampi. I am now able to aly on my side, but laying flat still is uncomfortable. Take it easy, one food at a time and chew everything to mush. Stop way before you think you are full. Good luck.
   — Terry P.