Question:
I am 4 weeks post-op as of yesterday and I honestly don't know what to eat!

My surgeon and his nutritionist are not exactly the most helpful bunch, to say the least. PLEASE help me. I am 4 weeks post-op and I attempted some pizza today with BAD results. I got a cramp as soon as I swallowed 2 bites. I thought dumping happened after you ate...not as soon as it hit the pouch. Can I eat shellfish? Tuna salad? ANYTHING? I've been living on ice pops and soup and I can't take it anymore. I can eat cheese, but that is so fattening and I've already hit a plateau...I'd love to try to stay away from it. I would love even just a little list of some menu ideas for 4-6 weeks post-op. Thank you so much and God bless!    — Kelly C. (posted on July 5, 2002)

July 5, 2002
hi. I am 5 weeks post-op. Don't worry about the plateau, i hit one 4 weeks post-op and freaked out, but it's so common, our body's are catching up!! I lost 35LBS in 3 weeks, then stopped. And now I am losing weight again! I am eating eggs, cheeses (even low-fat!), veggies, LF PNB, cheeseburger (1ounce) FF yogurts, fruit smoothies, SF pudding, soup, chicken, Polly-o string cheese, protein-bars, protein drinks and lots of water. I have a strong tummy, so anything I try I can basically eat, i am very lucky! I heard shrimp is good to eat, not fattening, like cocktail shrimp and grilled! I have also eaten broiled white fishes, very yummy and good protein!! Goodluck to you, hope i gave you some ideas! :)
   — Lezlie Y.

July 5, 2002
You will find this is both the exciting and challenging part of this surgery. Exciting to discover new foods that taste soooo good, yet challegning in learning the foods that you cannot tollerate. Here is what worked for me. Please remember we are all different. I loved grilled shrimp, sliced tomatoes without the skin (dunk in hot water then rince in cold water to easily remove). Grilled fish, scrambled egg, cottage cheese, yogert, ceral (cheeros), banana (cut into small pieces), sugar free ice pops, and tomatoe soup (made with milk for added protein). Remember to go SLOW, chew throughly, and crunchy is easier than soft at first. I hope this helps. Good Luck!
   — Wanda W.

July 6, 2002
I am almost 5 weeks post op and my surgeon has advised that I'm in the trial/error phase of the journey. I've tried shellfish and I can tolerate it but you have to be VERY careful how much you eat. I ate one crab leg too many and threw it all up (bummer cos it was A LOT of protein!!!!) I've also tried shrimp but again ate 1-2 too many and threw it up. I'm sticking to the cheese, tuna, peanut butter on a cracker, 1 slice of bacon (yes its got fat but your body does need a little bit!), low fat jello & pudding, I cannot tolerate the protein drinks so I drink milk which also helps with the elasticity in your skin as well as calcium, any kind of meat--steak, chicken, turkey which you have to take teeny bites of. The true key is to eat very slow--if you eat too fast you'll most likely be sick. I've been eating the bush's baked beans and I put them in a tiny bowl (dessert or lotus bowl) and I take a bite then set it down for a minute or two, then repeat that until its done and it stays down and I'm not uncomfortable. Hope this helps!!!
   — Bambi C.

July 6, 2002
Hi! I am also 4 weeks post-op as of yesterday, and I can give you some suggestions!! First off, I have to say, my doc/program insists that I'm on pureed foods at this point. With some food that works for me, and some it doesn't...but I have been able to find a lot of things that I CAN eat. The key is though -- if I don't puree or food process something, I make sure I CHEW, CHEW, CHEW until it's the consistence of puree. So that said, I have been eating baby food veggies and fruits -- only the ones without the added sugar, of course. Blended low-fat cottage cheese is pretty yummy!! I like mine sweet, so I add some Splenda. Low-fat yogurt is good, the light and creamy versions are great -- no chunks. I throw tuna in the food processor until it is the consistency of pate -- and add just a touch of low fat mayo -- like a teaspoon per can. (I even put in a little relish!). Canned chicken works that way too! I've gone out to eat this week, and what I find that works well is refried beans (although they should be fat-free), rice and marinated or shredded chicken. If you're in a rush -- Taco Bell is a good place to get something, as is KFC for the mashed potatoes. I would think that a low-fat frozen dinner would work too, although I haven't tried any yet -- anything soft, like lasagna. I've also been eating baby oatmeal -- it's instant, you get added protein when you mix with milk, and it's vitamin fortified. Low-fat cheese isn't that bad for you -- I made a grilled cheese sandwich with some the other day, went down fine. And I can really relate...tried some pizza too the other day...duh. :) Had the same reaction you did! :) Good luck! Let us know how you're doing!!
   — Karen B.

July 6, 2002
Go out and buy 4oz. plastic gladware containers, It makes about two or three meals after the surgery, and what I really like is some salmon with a spoonfull of Bob's Big Boy tartar sauce and put it in a food processor. It's my favorite!! Another I really like is mash potatoes with lowfat ranch dressing and mix it up. If you like spicy foods scrambled eggs with finely chopped jalapanos and shreaded cheese. Spagetti in the processoris good too. So is cheerios with splenda. Don't forget to CHEW CHEW CHEW!!!
   — LESA H.

July 6, 2002
One more thing! When you cook meats don't over cook it! It has to be soft!
   — LESA H.

July 6, 2002
hiya...by now you should be able to eat soft foods such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatos, chicken (i used the canned chicken since it is very soft), cheese (don't worry about the high fat content since you can't really eat too much at a time) - string cheese is great, tuna or grilled fish, spaghetti-o's....just make sure you get in your protein!! i highly recommend Jarrow's Isoflavones Iso-Soy Protein powder (get it from www.vitamintrader.com) - it has no fat, no sugar, no carbs and 2 tbls is 25grams of protein. it has no taste tho is a bit chalky - but you can bake with it or add it to soup. right now bread/bread products are not the best..give yourself another few months before trying them unless it is like soda crackers soaked in some soup. be creative -- go to www.allrecipes.com and search under "high protein" or "low carb" and you can find some fabulous recipes good luck!!
   — jkb

July 7, 2002
Kelly, it is trial and error early on. You'll find that things that disagree with your new tummy now, will be OK to eat in a few months or so. At about one month out, I was eating soft foods, like steamed white fish, tuna fish salad on crackers (crackers turn to mush when you chew well), shell fish-like shrimp and crab and lobster, crabcakes are great too. Scrambled eggs with melted cheese is a favorite as is veggie chili at this stage. If you have chicken, make sure it is very moist, like stewed chicken and start with dark meat. Mashed potatoes and oatmeal were too heavy for me at first as was bread or pasta or rice early on. Just keep it soft or chew very well before swallowing, wait a minute or so between bites andlimit your amounts to 2 ounces per meal and you'll be fine. As for plateaus, we all hit our first around 3 weeks out-don't fret, this too shall pass! Its the bodys way of adjusting to this new change.
   — Cindy R.