Question:
I really, really want to have this surgery, but have some questions to ask.

How do you know what to eat after surgery? I feel like I am not creative enough to know what to eat, or how to get a variety. I feel like, after it is too late, I will realize I don't know how to eat, and will end up eating all the wrong things. What happens if a person doesn't like whatever we have to eat for protein, like the shakes? How does a person go back to work and know what to take to eat? What happens if we get diarrhea at work (the type that gives you no warning)? I have colitis now, and don't know what might happen if I have surgery. I just feel really mixed up, although I want the surgery so bad. I am in the process of waiting to hear from the surgeon on if I qualify or not (have filled out the paperwork). Thanks for any help.    — JoAnn A. (posted on December 10, 2002)

December 10, 2002
You will know what to eat when your Dr gives you a packet of aftercare information.It should list a selection of foods for each stage of your recovery.You would also benefit from a session with a nutritionist who is knowlegable in wls. There are medicines to take that will help with your diahrea.Don't worry, it will all work out and this is only temporary.Soon you'll be at normal food again.Blessings,
   — Leslie E.

December 10, 2002
JoAnn, I was unsure of a lot of the same things prior to my surgery. As far as knowing what to eat, I was required by my surgeon to take a nutrition class that was specifically designed for by-pass patients. That was a tremendous help. I think support groups are an excellent information source as well. Not to mention I have gotten many ideas from this website, more than I ever could imagine. Not only for food and nutrition ideas but so many other things as well. I have not had a problem with the diarhea you speak of and am now over 4 months out. I myself don't like the protein shakes either and have found that I get plenty of protein from the food I eat. It can be done without protein supplements. Your choice is yours alone. Only you can decide if this surgery is right for you. I did a lot of reading on this site before I finally made the decision to have the surgery. And I couldn't be happier with my choice. I am now down 80 pounds and feel so much better physically and emotionally! Good luck in your decision.
   — Laurel C.

December 10, 2002
I had the same fears pre-op. For what to eat read my profile. I hated meat for the first four months, now I am fine with it. I always take my protein shakes and vitamins. I like Real Meals it has everything we need in one place and I like the fact that it is one of the few that will be absorbed 100% by post ops. But even if I hated the shakes I would still take them. Because I would hate sagging skin, loosing my hair, getting stuck on plateaus, or getting sick more. I hear so many people say I don't like protein shakes and they refuse to drink them in one post. Then in another post they say they can't figure out why they are not losing as fast, or that they have no energy, or they are loosing all of their hair. Most people seen to have the oppostie problem they will become constipated easily after surgery. I went back to work at two weeks post op, i was really concerned about the same issues as you but I did fine. By the time you go back you will have an idea of what is the easiest for you to eat. I hope this helps.
   — Linda A.

December 10, 2002
I too had the same problem of trying to figure out what to eat. (I hate to cook too). Yeah I know doctors usually give a packet of info but that still did'nt help me as you do need to be "creative" as you said. However nothing tasted or smelled good for six months so I only ate what I could possibly stand the taste of. Basicially I lived on meat and cheese. NO PROTEIN SHAKES (or "shit in a glass" as I call it). My regular doctor (not surgeon) saw my protein report (it was a blood test result) and she hit the roof! "Get off the protein suppliments NOW!" (8.1 or 8.2! My surgeon was VERY pleased with it!) However I was NOT on ANY suppliments. It was the meat and cheese! :) So you can do it. I do wish I had taken the first six months and learned how to eat "properly". However as I said, food was just so gross that I only ate what I could "stomach" and that was'nt much as far as "variety".
   — Danmark

December 10, 2002
I felt that I was prepared for my post op diet. My surgeon required 2 pre-op diet classes before I even had my consultation with him! See if there is a support group for post-op WLS folks in your area; they should be able to give you some guidance and ideas. I had to be on pureed foods for the first 4 weeks, then started adding soft foods. Here are some things I did: bought Tyson roasted, skinless, boneless chicken breasts (2 to a pack) and pureed them and added Campbell's cream of chicken Soup at Hand to give it flavor and moisture. I cooked a turkey breast in the crockpot, pureed that and used (homemade) gravy for flavor and moisture. I ate a lot of cottage chese, and drank a lot of V-8 Juice, because I couldn't stand pureed vegetables. I tried baby food, but it was just too bland. I had regular flavor (plain) instant oatmeal made with skim milk - creamy and filling. I used Lactaid milk, which has a slightly sweet taste, so I didn't even need to add sweetner. Small containers of unsweetened aplesauce, Dannon Lit and Fit yogurt in the 4oz. size. Honestly, I just recently started using protein shakes (to help break a plateau. I found that beef (even cooked in a crockpot and pureed) still doesn't agree with me. I take my lunch to work everyday, so that's why I came up with some pretty portable stuff! Above all, it is nearly impossible to know what you will be able to tolerate after surgery, as everyone seems to respond differently to some degree.
   — koogy