Question:
2 weeks post and a little depressed......
Hi all. I am so happy to say that I have lost 20 pounds in the first two weeks. But I am now really having a hard time being so restricted with food. Especially when I have to watch other people eat. Can someone please tell me what you were eating at this time and how you handled this? Also, what amount of sugar (how many grams) is OK to eat? Thanks everyone. — emilyfink (posted on June 25, 2002)
June 25, 2002
Emily:
Congratulations, you are doing wonderfully!
Trust me, I'm 4 months post-op, so I know how difficult those first few
weeks can be, but, you do get through it. For the first few weeks I was
living off of liquids and pureed foods, anything from pureed tuna to pureed
chili. I know it sounds gross, but it wasn't too bad. Before I knew it,
I'd moved on to soft foods. Just think, as time goes by you won't be so
limited with what you eat. You'll be able to eat almost anything, only in
moderation. I can't have that full 8 oz. filet mignon, but I can certainly
enjoy 2 oz, I can't have a full bag of M&M's, but 5-6 aren't hurting
me- and that's better then nothing. I felt that I couldn't be expected to
give up EVERYTHING, but I could slowly ween myself from things. As for
sugar, I'm finding that 9-10 grams/serving aren't hurting me, but everyone
is different and I don't always have that amount. I don't want to push
things and end up dumping, but at the same time if my sweet tooth calls, I
can't let it down! Try not to be sad or depressed, it time,you'll begin to
feel "normal", you'll be able to enjoy dinner/lunch out w/friends
and family, you'll know your limitations, but you'll still be able to enjoy
a night out and a nice meal - smaller, of course. It gets better and even
though it may not seem like it right now, you do get through it. Keep
posting and if you have questions, ask, there's a wealth of knowledge and
everyone is always willing to share their thoughts and experiences! I wish
you the best!
— Rosario T.
June 25, 2002
HI. I know exactly what you mean. I am a little over 3 weeks post-op (LAP
RNY) and a little depressed, I think i am missing carbs more than anything.
I work in an Italian restaurant, the chef is from Rome, and i miss his
macaroni :( But I have been eating some mashed potatoes which helps my
cravings. I even ate 2/3 of a taco from taco bell which was so good! I lost
30 pounds so far, which makes me so happy, and I do know that in like a
month or two, i will be able to eat normally, just much smaller portions,
so I just have to be patient and deal with eating yogurt and soups and eggs
for now. HAng in there, if you want to e-mail me, feel free!
([email protected]) :)
— Lezlie Y.
June 25, 2002
Hi Emily! Try and hang in there, it will get better. The depression and
feeling the loss of normal eating pleasure is normal.I know it is hard. I
had open RNY. Funny how when I was 2 weeks post op I wanted to devour
everything in sight. I am not kidding. I went out of town for surgery and
stayed with 2 of my sisters. They kept ordering out. I couldn't watch
commercials about food either. I was ashmamed of how I felt and how I
seemed obsessed with food more than ever. Then my cravings and desire to
eat everything in sight sort of went away.Good thing. At 2 weeks post op I
lived on protein drinks, sugar free jello, s/f popsicles and a spoon or two
of s/f yogurt(yuck). Not much variety, but you need time to heal and before
you know it you will be eating pretty normally again. This was my basic
diet until 3 weeks, then I started on scrambled eggs, cottage cheese and
anything I could blend. Then at 6 weeks I was allowed solid foods! In the
beginning, I tried to stay out of the kitchen, kept busy, and sucked on
popsicles when I was dying for flavor. It is hard, but you will get through
this.Look how far you have already come! You CAN do it!!!! Best of luck!
— lovebug2
June 25, 2002
Thank you for all the inspiring words! Thank goodness for everyone on this
sight and their motivation!
— emilyfink
June 25, 2002
You are experiencing a very normal period of "grieving." I
remember this being very hard as an early post-op. Fortunately, you soon
get used to it and stop minding it so much. I just learned to eat my very
small portion slowly and to enjoy the ambiance. By month 6 or so, you
should be able to eat a large enough portion that people don't stare too
hard at what you leave on your plate at a restaurant (although you will
still leave 3/4 of your food). I am now about 15 months post-op and can
eat about 1/2 of what is put on my plate. I finally feel normal again.
Please remember, it's all worth it. Just hang in there.
— Terissa R.
June 25, 2002
Hi Emily, I am two weeks today! I am feeling a lot like you about being so
restricted. My two favorite things are fat free refried beans with melted
cheese on top and canned chicken blended with light mayo and voila, chicken
salad. These both work with saltines or similar crackers. I know the lack
of variety stinks, but for me, finding a couple of things that I really
like and go down well and sticking to them has really helped. -17.5 lbs so
far! Good luck!
— cjabates
June 25, 2002
Emily, I am EXACTLY where you are now. I am two weeks post op today, I've
lost 21 pounds, and I am dying from head hunger. I Really feel hungry.
The only thing different is that my stomach doesn't growl. I read the other
responses, and it seems like this will pass. Let's hang in there together.
It is hard.
— eahutchins
June 25, 2002
Hi!
I can certainly feel your pain! When I would be around other people
(especially during work lunches) I would order SOUP! LOTS AND LOTS OF SOUP!
I really became a soup expert LOL! Albondigas in mexican restraunts,
broccoli and cheese soup from Quiznos, chicken vegetable from italian
restraunts it was all SO wonderful! I didn't feel deprived AT ALL and I
really felt "normal" with everyone else and PROUD because I
wasn't eating all those thigh and stomach fattening foods! It made me A LOT
happier that's for sure. In fact, the chicken soup was so good at one
restraunt, half of my coworker ordered it along side me LOL! Also keep the
excerices up because that helps the depression issue a lot also. Also, with
sugar, I would suggest to try and stay off the sugar. Switch to sweet and
low and other sugar substitutes. If you cannot avoid some of it, beware of
dumping so early on- so try to keep it at a minimum. Talk to your
nutritionist about a safe amount throuought the months. At seven months
post op and ninety pounds lighter, I still order soup at restraunts (cause
I like it now!) and choose sugar/fat free TCBY treats for dessert! My
suggestion: start the healthy habits now during the "get go!"
GOOD LUCK! AND KEEP SMILING :) You're doing great!!
— ravikamor
June 25, 2002
Dear Emily, I'm just over 4 weeks post-op and just into solid food. I
remember the two week mark. I really like green pea soup( not split pea).
Mashed canned ravioli was also good. My hub and I only went to breakfast
once during the month of puree. I ordered a scrambled egg and grits. I
couldn't finish the egg and only tried a spoon of grits. The dog thinks
this diet is great-so many leftovers. Hang in there two more weeks will go
by quickly.
— Janis D.
June 26, 2002
hello...at 2 weeks post op i started throwing up the protein mixes so my
surgeon moved me up to the soft food phase
i ate: scrambled egg with cheese, cottage cheese, string cheese, canned
chicken (smushed up), mashed potatos, cream of wheat, a lot of soup
(including minestrone)
just keep it soft, don't eat too much, you will get gassy at first and if
something makes you throw up - don't eat it again! lol
some people also chew some food then spit it out (one girl i know would
suck on potato chips then spit them out)..i chewed on watermelon and grapes
but didn't swallow them
just make sure to keep your protein up!
as far as sugar goes, your body will tell you what you can and cannot
tolerate, you need to experiment some plus every few months your body will
change and what you could eat may start to bother you...
be creative and try new things
check out: allrecipes.com
they have tons of recipes....
good luck!
— jkb
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