Question:
Is anyone working as a chef/cook post-op?

I am a chef that owns her own restaurant. I am about 5 weeks out from RYN and I wanted to know if anyone else on AMOS has experienced working around food all day. My job places me in a position where it is not just "food at mealtimes". I am surrounded by baked goods and food everyday. So far I have been doing good, but it is a real challenge and I would appreciate talking to someone else who has experienced this. (My partner jokes that our shop should be "Carbs R Us". I feel like an AA member that owns her own bar.) I have been in food service all my life, already dedicating over 25 years to it. I am a Culinary Graduate and have no intention of changing careers. I went back to work 2 1/2 weeks after surgery and only had a few problems with the smells. Now it is the fact that I am cutting brownies and serving pies and slicing fresh hot bread. My partner does the sampling but that has become old already. Anyone else out there that can offer suggestions?    — jeh (posted on April 9, 2004)

April 9, 2004
Jane I have have the same problem. I'am the manger for a 4-h center in va. I do a lot of the cooking for the kid and the other groups we have coming in. I have been having a lot of food issues because of this. I enjoy my job but I have also gone back to school to go in the medical field. I feel this is the only thing that can help me at this point. Get into a support group and just remember what you have gone through to help you get healthy. I have have lost over a 100 pounds since March 20, 2002. God Bless and good Luck to you.
   — christine G.

April 10, 2004
What a dilemma! For me, (tho' I don't work in a restaurant) I cooked more during the first 6 months than I did the previous year. I tried out different bread recipes, cookie recipes, fish and chicken recipes, etc. I froze pounds and pounds of food. It was more difficult when I couldn't sample anything, but my nose became even better at smelling a sauce and adjusting the seasonings. I never felt hungry, so I wasn't tempted. That feeling was great, but unfortunately, short-lived. Now, when something smells good, I want to try it. Only those fatty or greasy foods have absolutely NO temptation for me (even the smell makes me sick). I hope that you can find a moderate approach that you can live with, and keep exercising for sure. It is impossible not to taste things, especially a new recipe. I ran a cafeteria for 3 years and was continually introducing new ideas - I couldn't trust someone elses tastebuds, only my own. However, I know that you can do this successfully. Several tastes throughout the day will not make you gain weight, but servings of multiple goodies will. Take care and best of luck to you on your journey. Have you considered adding lofat/losugar items to your restaurant? Perhaps this could be a way to incorporate your personal life choices with your professional life choices? I love going through cookbooks and adjusting interesting or favorite recipes to work better for me and my personal dietary needs.
   — Jodie P.

April 10, 2004
Hi, I am so glad that you asked this question, my wls was 12-20-01 and I am in the process of going into the rest. business and would love to know what others think. Good luck to you and your career I personaly have faith in you that you will be able to work this out especailly since this is your career, being that you are just 5 weeks out dose seem to pose a hard challenge, I know for myself that my taste buds have changed alot over the last 2 and a half years, now in my case I will have a chef to deal with the tasting and I have had time to come to terms with my lifstyle and way of eating. I guess my only advise would be just to take it slowly and trust in your instincts instead of your taste buds :) and like I said good luck. Take-care Rho :)
   — Rho

April 10, 2004
Thank you for your input and words of encouoragement. I guess I am just battling head hunger, because I do not have any real hunger yet. I have had only a bit of a problem with smells so far. (Bacon kills me, but it always has) Our shop offers sugar free items almost all the time and we feature specialty foods that are sugar free. Because I am diabetic, this has been a goal of mine. For me now, I just fear slipping into the old habit, being around food all day. Just thought I would toss out the question to see what other members have had to deal with after surgery. Thank you.
   — jeh

April 11, 2004
Jane, I am a cook. I work Tues thru Sat 6am-2:30. I am in charge of getting the buffet ready and out. So I know how you feel. But with me it is difficult to decide what I want to eat most days. Sooo I usually end up eating a salad. I really don't have a problem being around all the yummy stuff. It is because I am around it all the time and wahen I want something I just say say yes you can have it but...Do you really WANT it. Usually I do not. I love cooking. It is one thing I have always been good at. Jenniffer 4/08/03 382.3 4/12/04 226 Missouri
   — Jonesin

April 13, 2004
Thank you Jennifer. You and I share a preety similar schedule. I do know that what is going on with me is head hunger and not really hunger. Some of my habits around the kitchen need to be monitored really closely. I am still on puree foods and they have presented problems many days. Today I had to go to my first post op food show. I took along 2 friends to taste!! I only tried a couple orf things. It was a real challenge. I appreciate your input. I tried to e-mail you but it did not work. It was great to hear from someone dealling with this challenge everyday.
   — jeh

April 14, 2004
I don't know what the kitchen sanitation regulations are, but can you chew gum while you work? It would give your mouth something to do, and you can't eat while you're chewing gum, right?
   — beeda