Question:
How long before you can really progress with foods?

I am 7 weeks post-op. I do not feel that I am progressing with foods. I cannot eat that much. I know of people who are a few weeks ahead of me and are ordering children's cheeseburgers and eating them without the bread. I'd be happy if I can eat one mouthful. If I eat yogurt, I can only eat about 2 oz. If I eat a piece of cheese, it can only be ONE piece. Maybe I can down a cracker with it. If I'm lucky. I KNOW that I am NOT getting enough protein in daily. I read that we need 60 grams of protein a day. I'm lucky if I get 15. I tried a protein shake, but it tasted awful. Someone suggested adding non-flavored protein powder to everything I eat. I feel great. Have lost 47 pounds and exercise regularly. Head-wise....I'm not good. I want to eat REAL food. Please help me.    — Dianne K. (posted on December 30, 2001)

December 30, 2001
Its funny how everyone is different, myself, at 7 weeks I was like you eating just like a mouse, but I never ate the breads or rice and pasta until a year later, now I wish I never touched the stuff. But that is another story, what I did for the protein was I went and got slim fast, and I got those protein drinks for seniors, I forget what they are called you can get them at wal-mart or k-mart, just about any store really. mostly you will adjust and you will eat more soon, it took me about 4 months to be able to eat up to 2 ounces, but boy did I lose the weight fast, I lost 50 pounds my first 5 weeks out..Good Luck
   — Terri Z.

December 30, 2001
I am 8 1/2 weeks out. At 7 weeks I could barely eat. I also read about others eating everything and was convinced I was going to have to be scoped. Then suddenly, the past two days I have been able to start eating little bites of normal foods. I guess some of us take longer to heal than others. I drink sugar free Whey protein available in any health food store. I mix it with water. 3 four oz servings is 100% of your protein for the day. It would be better to have it with milk, but I found the consistency easier to get down with the water.
   — Julie S.

December 30, 2001
That tasteless protein mix is awful. I bought some at GNC, and was convinced that I wouldn't beable to drink it. I added it to some soup and came very close to throwing it back up. A woman at work brought me in a couple of packets of the protein drink that she uses. It took some courage but I did it. The stuff tastes great. I can't even believe I'm saying that. But it does. It's called Myoplex light. I tried Banana Cream pie. I mixed it with skim milk and added 1/2 banana. Then I tried orange jubalee. I mixed it with orange juice and added 1/2 banana. It taste great. Then I tried the chocolate. I mixed it with skim milk and added a small spoon of peanut butter. It was pretty good. I prefer the banana cream pie to all of them, but the point is they aren't hard to get down. Just drink them slow because they do fill you up. They don't go through you like water. It's more like drinking a meal. Actually I only make half a packet at a time because I can't drink the whole thing. And the good thing about GNC is if you keep your reciept and you don't like it you can take it back and either get your money back or exchange it for something else.
   — K T.