Question:
I am pre-op, but have read on here about people (after having surgery) wanting to
cook elaborate meals for their families with the very best ingredients. I was just wondering (since I don't hardly feel like cooking now) will I feel differently after surgery. What I mean is after surgery, do you all feel that you have more energy and enjoy cooking more? I hate to admit it, but with working nightshift and sleeping up and down during the day, I don't have a lot of energy for cooking a lot.I used to LOVE cooking. I feel guilty for not feeding my family meat, 2 veg and a salad for supper like I was fed growing up. Our meals lately have consisted of lots of fast food, and restaurant meals where I insist they eat veg. Also, do you now cook for the family, and just eat what protein (1st and some veg) and other things that we can have? I mean say if you made fish, slaw, mac and cheese, and green beans - after surgery are we just supposed to eat the fish and some green beans. Does this make sense? Sorry to be so long, but I was thinking/hoping I will feel like cooking more after surgery. Thanks for all answers!! — bufordslipstick (posted on August 19, 2003)
August 18, 2003
Hi there, I am 8 mos post and down 124 lbs (9 lbs to goal). I hated to
cook before surgery and I still hate it, but I do cook a lot more than I
used to. Not really because I like to cook, I just want to eat better
quality of food. Fast food and some restaurant foods just don't sit right
with me anymore. Hope this helps some!
— kandi S.
August 18, 2003
Oh Rebecca.....you are going to have so much energy after your surgery!
Before I had my surgery, I barely cooked. I had no energy and standing at
the stove killed my back! Now, that I am 50 pounds lighter, I cook all the
time and have an incredible amount of energy!!
— Terri G.
August 18, 2003
I really liked to cook before surgery, although I would go through phases
where I just did not have the energy for it. I am 7-1/2 weeks postop, and I
find that I enjoy cooking even more now! I think part of it is that I have
more energy. Another is that I seem to get my food "fix" by just
handling it, chopping things up, cooking, etc. I still enjoy cooking for my
family even if I am making something that I know I cannot eat. Also my
husband is getting to eat things that I never cooked before, like pork,
because I don't like it. I have now made pork roast, pork ribs, etc. for
him because I can just eat something else. I love to try out new recipes
and see how my family likes them.
I went to a bridle shower last night and there was a ton of food there. It
did not bother me a bit to see everyone eating. I had 1-1/2 strawberries
and was filled up so it is even possible to attend "food" events
and have fun.
— DebT
August 18, 2003
You will have more energy later on and feel like doing more though I can't
guarantee that it will be more cooking. I have always loved to cook for
others and love it now too. I was up until 12:30 last night waiting for an
apple pie to come out of the oven. I think for me that it is about
controling what everyone in the house is eating. Everyone in my house has
lost a few and become much more aware of nutrition since I had my surgery
in January. We did a lot of take out in the time leading up to surgery and
for a couple of months afterwards too. I realized that I was losing and
they were gaining and it changed my tune fast. As far as what you will eat;
that is up to you but yes, now I will generally eat what I cook for the
family (minus the pie of course! Dang!!) minus the carbs. Mostly protein
and a few veges with the occassional addition of some fruit. You will get
used to it even though it might make you angry at first. I was pissed to
see everyone eating for a while but I got over it as soon as the weight
started pouring off. Good Luck! Lap RNY 1/15/03 277/170/147
— Carol S.
August 18, 2003
You will have way more energy eventually! It took me awhile though before
I could cook for my family again. In the beginning, I just couldn't stand
food! And I will recovering so I was tired a lot. Gradually I began
feeling better and once I started resuming a more regular diet, I felt
great. Now at 13 weeks out I cook regularly. I try to make meals for my
family that I can eat at least some of. There is always more protein than
anything else, so that's what I eat. I also try to have some kind of
vegetable, and I eat that too, with a salad. You'll find that you can
pretty easily accommodate your needs and your family's tastes, with a
little practice and creativity!
— MomBear2Cubs
August 19, 2003
I cook dinner almost every night for my husband and son and usually don't
eat any of it. I don't even mind cooking food I have no intention of
eating.
— Dawn P.
August 19, 2003
Having worked more than my share of nightshifts, and being constantly sleep
deprived, I don't think I would be motivated to make jello! However, if
you are more tolerant of the awful hours, you may feel more like cooking. I
was pretty energetic after surgery. My kids are 19 and 23, and work a lot
of hours plus go to school, so I never really know when they will be home.
I think I probably had more desire to cook before surgery. Since my
husband has also had surgery, we eat pretty simply. On the occasions I do
cook, I will eat a small portion of everything - even if it's only a
spoonful. (The farther out from surgery, the wider the variety of foods I
can eat). I, too, went throught that phase of feeling guilty about not
feeding my family like I was. But then, my mom worked - in a beauty shop
in our house! So, she could put a roast on, or start something for
supper, and check it while she worked. While I was still eating pureed
foods, I did cook stuff I could puree. I would cook a roast in the crock
pot, make gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls - the works -
for the family, and I would puree a small amount of stuff for me. The
hardest part for me now, is trying to make the right quantity of food!
Since my perception of portion size has changed, I forget my two boys can
eat far, far more! I rarely have those little "dabs" of stuff
left over any more!
— koogy
August 19, 2003
I used to love to cook preop, mainly find ways to get some tasty/creative
foods in on my many "diets". Now it's all a big "eh...I'll
just have cheese and crackers" kinda thing, yknow?
— rebeccamayhew
August 19, 2003
I'm more motivated to cook now...not more elaborately but just cook. I
think it's because I'm more motivated to clean. Hated cooking in a messy
kitchen or having to clean up after. Now I don't mind.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 19, 2003
I am more incline to cook now than before, because I can't tolerate fast
food. Besides it is a waste for me to go to ponderosa or any buffet type
restaurant because I can't go up more than one time. I usually don't eat
all that I put on my plate, which isn't much. I am also able to control
what type of seasoning I put in my food by cooking it.
— Sharon T.
August 19, 2003
I have always (through obesity and being kind of normal sized) loved
cooking and entertaining. Since losing my weight, I have even more energy,
don't get as exhausted standing over a hot stove and generally enjoy the
experience much more. Also, as someone who still loves all aspects of food
(except consuming it), I enjoy the connection I get with it by preparing it
and serving it to others.
— SteveColarossi
August 19, 2003
I have always loved to cook and bake, and do more than ever now. I am 16
mo. post-op and have still NO appetite. EVER. But love to cook. I look for
excuses to have people over so I can cook for them. I still behave very
well, and am not tempted to cheat (I dump easily anyway). Keep on cooking!
It is a blast no matter what. And with more restrictions, you can be more
creative.
— kultgirl
August 19, 2003
Why not cook for the family? I have tons of low fat, low carb, low sugar,
no surgar recipes....chicken, pork, seafood, eggs, crock pot and
soup/stews!! I will simply cook healthier for the whole fam damily. (email
if you would like some of these recipes)
GOOD LUCK
— Leslie N.
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