Question:
Having trouble with post-op diet!

I am 10 days post-op and on a semi liquid diet for another week. I live on Crystal Light and maybe one popcicle a day. I can have strained soup, mashed potatoes, carnation, jello plus other similar things. Nothing that I can have sounds good so I just don't eat it. Is this normal? How long can I live on Crystal Light until my body has no energy. Plus I cry a lot here lately? Is this normal? Thank You!!!    — Melissa T. (posted on January 26, 2002)

January 26, 2002
I know what you mean about being choosey. I am 11 weeks post-op and am having a difficult time in the food department. Things that I used to love, just don't send me any more. How about egg drop soup? Pea soup...lentil soup..and water...It is very hard to tell someone what to eat. Things that you can tolerate...like mashed potatoes....I can't eat yet. I'm down 67 pounds and my dinner consists of a ritz cracker with peanut butter and sugar free jelly on it. Sound yummy???? As far as the crying thing...I had that...but it only lasted about 2 weeks. I think it's a hormonal adjustment. Good luck and keep me posted.
   — Dianne K.

January 26, 2002
You poor thing! I remember when I was only a few weeks out. Nothing tasted good, so I just wasn't eating. Problem was, not eating/drinking leads to dehydration, and I had to go to the ER twice in my early weeks. I just want to express to you that things WILL get better. For me, it happened about 3 months out from my surgery. I went from eating 300 calories/day to 700 calories a day in that one month. I felt SO much better. My strength returned, and my personality returned. Don't worry - you ARE normal and things WILL get better.
   — Terissa R.

January 26, 2002
Can you have milk? If so, try fat free sugar free pudding. It has some substance to it. I think it saved my sanity when I was on "full liquids".<p> My diet at that point allowed juices like cranberry or grape, cooked cereal (cream of wheat), strained cream soup, milk, pudding and custard. <P>Thank goodness that phase doesn't last for too long! Hang in there, it will get better.
   — [Anonymous]

January 26, 2002
I'm also 10 days post op and in complete heaven compared to the liquid diet. I'm eating mashed potatoes with melted cheese, fat free refried beans with melted cheese, cottage cheese, pudding, oatmeal, applesauce, canned fruit in its own juice, crystal light (rasberry!), tea, skim milk, apple juice, orange juice, yogurt and anything stuck in the food processer. I like these foods. I can deal with this. Anything I mentioned work for you? I talk to my nutritionist a lot and ask a LOT of questions. If you'd like to email me, I'd be happy to give you a list of things she said I can have at this stage. I've even asked her about items at fast food restaurants and she gave me great ideas! I've lost 23 lbs so far. I started at 261.
   — Goldilauxx B.

January 26, 2002
From day 5 post-op to day 12 post-op, I lived on V8 Juice (original) and Crystal Lite. V8 was the only thing that really tasted good to me. I probably drank close to 40 ounces of it a day. I had occasional SF popscicles and strained soup, but not much. The V8 was satisfying and I was getting some nutrition from it. And, when I went to the doctor to have my staples removed on day 12, I had lost 30 pounds. Even now, if my stomach doesn't feel too well, I drink a small glass of V8 and in a very short while, I feel great. Don't ask me why, but it works. Hope you are feeling better soon.
   — Patty_Butler

January 27, 2002
Melissa, You poor thing, you are in the worse stage of it right now. Please know that it's only going to get better. We have all been there, the clear liquids, the full liquids, the tastless mush, lol, too clearly I remember! Your diet will regulate on it's own, just be sure to keep the water, vitamins, & protein coming in. I didn't do any crying, but that doesn't mean that I didn't feel like it. I didn't start feeling better until I was able to get my life back in some kind of order... my house, my laundry, my driving, my regular old chores. Why don't you get hubby or someone take you on a looong drive this afternoon, it helped me :)
   — DonnaCarol