Question:
How do you feel cooking after surgery?
Could someone out there answer a question my husband asked me. He wanted to know how I will feel cooking meals for him and the rest of the family, if I can't eat it, or if I'm not hungrey? Has anyone come across this problem?? Please help me! Good Luck To All Sharon — Irishlass2154 (posted on January 6, 2002)
January 6, 2002
I thought that after surgery I would not want to cook for my family, but
while i was home recovering It made me feel useful. Nothing has changed I
still like to cook for them and they are eating more healthy now too.
— Almira H.
January 6, 2002
I enjoy cooking at our home and at the moment we have 2 roomates, whos
house was destroyed by a fire. I enjoy cooking for everyone. The first
month or two was tough, because I could eat so little but now its fine.
— bob-haller
January 6, 2002
My husband asked this very question. My mother-in-law was visiting us and
with us to "Help" in any way I needed. I knew I would not want
to cook during the first couple of weeks. It is just my husband and I so
not a big deal to have her cook.
After about 3 weeks she just stopped. I guess she thought I was feeling
better and should do the cooking. Some days I did just fine but three,
maybe four, times I got sick to my stomach from the smell of meat cooking.
Now I am out about two months from surgery (Mom is gone) and I cook for my
husband and myself. I have to eat too! I just fix him an extra side or if
he is having pasta I eat something else.
I did not think I would want to cook just for him. I am amazed at how it
(cooking) has become something I do because I love him and because he has
to eat. I baked christmas cookies and pies during the holidays because he
would enjoy them even though I knew I could not have them.
— Lisa Marie D.
January 6, 2002
I hated cooking before surgery! Now, I actually enjoy cooking! I learn to
experiment--and I know exactly what is in each dish. Plus my family is
eating better so that's nice too!
— Kristin R.
January 6, 2002
My sons are 18 and 16, and they have helped me in the kitchen and cooked
since they were little. My husband also can do a mean stir fry. When I
first came home from the hospital they took care of everything. About 4
weeks out, when I began feeling better, I started cooking again. I love to
cook, I have a lot of cookbooks I read like other people read novels. My
love of cooking hasn't gone at all. I can eat just about anything, just
less of it. I don't bake nearly as much, but my 18 year old bakes about
once a week and it satisfies them. Good luck
— Becky K.
January 6, 2002
While I was in ICU the first night my family was moaning over their loss.
They were afraid that they wouldn't get my cooking anymore. When I was told
about this later I had to laugh. My food obsession didn't go away, just my
ability to eat did. Although I look at food in a completely different way
now I still love to create gourmet dishes for my family and friends. When
hosting now it also is nice to "serve" them as I did for my
family for Christmas eve dinner. They got a kick out of me being their
waitress for the evening. Funny thing thinking back now.. where were my
tips? :)
I think that after your initial recovery and about 4-6 weeks you'll find
that you will enjoy cooking again. The hardest part I find now is that I
used to cook based on what I was craving for dinner. Now that my cravings
have pretty much diminished I have to really think about what to make.
— mama2matthew
January 6, 2002
One of the things that I did that was a little selfish was telling my
husband that during the six weeks I couldn't eat regular food I wouldn't be
doing the cooking. I was afraid it would be too much of a temptation for
me. He didn't have a problem with that at all. Our daughter was a senior in
high school at the time so between the two of them they managed to get food
on the table for dinner every night. Now that she's gone off to college and
it's just the two of us I don't do a lot of fancy cooking. It's never been
one of my favorite things to do and it seems like a lot of effort for 1 1/2
servings (1 for him 1/2 for me). I'm sure it would be much different if I
was still cooking for a family. My kids are home from college for Christmas
break and I've done more cooking the last 3 1/2 weeks than I have in a long
time. Thank goodness it will get back to normal next week!
— georgiacarol
January 6, 2002
I was only 1 week post op surgery when I made my husband a corned beef
brisket for dinner along with his 2 teenage daughters. They were totally
surprised that I made a big meal like that so close to my surgery. I never
really had problems with the smell of foods while cooking, I just imagined
me eating this but only in small portions. I just sat down with my chicken
broth and jello (since I was still on clear liquids at this stage) at the
table with them while they ate. It never really bothered me to cook. Good
luck.
— trtorrey
January 6, 2002
Once I was post-op and during my break-in period, I was so disinterested in
food that I cooked all kinds of new things. I'm SO picky (that I wonder how
I ever gained an extra pound) that I don't like much, so I just reached out
and cooked whatever I did not like, so that left LOTS. There's a reason my
dh followed in WLS a year later, I fear. LOL!
— vitalady
January 6, 2002
Here's how I feel about cooking after WLS. Actually it goes back a little
further, to before I had the surgery. My daughter left for college three
years ago and was always bringing friends home, so I always cooked in
abundance. After she left for college, I still cooked like I was cooking
for an army. Fortunately I've got neighbors I can feed and the little
shut-in lady appreciates every bite. So now post-op, I am still cooking
like there's company coming in at any moment. Still giving 75-80% of it
away, and feeding some to my two large dogs. Ya know what I need? I need
to take a course in "Cooking for Two". I just never could do
that. But somehow, even though I can't eat the stuff, I still enjoy
cooking. But now at a little over two months post-op, I'm slowly able to
take in a little more variety than before....so I am able to eat some of my
cooking now.
— blank first name B.
January 6, 2002
I am 8 weeks post-op and I love to cook. It only bothers me a little that I
can't have as much as I might like but that is a struggle I am having at
meals regardless of whether I've prepared them or not. I find that since I
eat so little post-op that I want something really good to eat. I will
invest a lot more time finding just the food that I might have a taste for
at the moment. I'm not certain if this is healthy behavior or not, but I
really enjoy working with the food. It gives me a great deal of sensory
pleasure to try different foods and techniques. I definitely cook more now
than I did before surgery. I also try a lot spicier recipes than I did
prior to surgery.
— Denise M.
January 7, 2002
My guess is that there will be a difference between the first two or three
months post op and later. For instance, I had to forbid bacon cooking in
the house. The smell was making me sick. But now I love bacon, in very
tiny quantities. I think that most of us go back to the way we used to
feel about cooking. So if you really enjoy it now, you will find that joy
again. We do tend to get a little more ingedient conscious post op, but
that's good for everyone. Many of the people in my support group commented
about baking cookies over the holidays and how good we felt that we didn't
want to eat them, only to bake them for others. The other thing is that in
the past, if I was hungry, I'd try to feed anyone around me. This meant
some well fed folks were around me. They aren't as well fed now because I
don't get as hungry. So sometimes those close to me have to speak up a bit
more. I have no doubt that you will take good care of your husband and
family. But it's nice if the family can take care of you for the first few
months. The positive thing is that standing in the kitchen for long
periods of time is easier when the weight comes off. Enjoy.
— kcanges
January 7, 2002
Pre surgery (a year before) I had quit cooking altogether as my back could
not stand "standing" for even the short length of time that was
needed to make a meal. Imdiately after surgery I could not and would not
cook as the smell of food and the look of food made me want to cry...
luckily I have a hubby who enjoys cooking along with a daugter and two boys
that will cook dinners. But I have found in the past month (I am 4 /12
months post op) that I LOVE to cook and have taken back over at least
making three or four meals a week. The smell and look of the food doesn't
bother me in the least and amazingly enough I have no desire to
"nibble" while I cook. Also, this way I am sure that what we eat
is healthy not only for me, but for the rest of my family who can all stand
to lose a few pounds. Take care and good luck...
— Kellie Jo B.
June 21, 2002
I found when I first started cooking again that everything went into my
mouth, my dog is my best friend because I had to spit it out he got lucky!
I did that for a few days now I am fine with it. I love to cook and my
family loves to eat. They are skinny.
— Trina J.
June 21, 2002
My friend had surgery three years ago and said to me you will want your
food to taste perfect and look it and smell it since you can only have a
little!
— Trina J.
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