Question:
I have a few questions about eating?

I am 6 days post op and i have hardley ate anything....im scared now cause im scared ill loose my hair...I am just wondering if anyone has anything they can send me about what i can eat. and how i can get my protien other than then nasty protien shakes? im on a pureed diet and im so sick of cream of chicken i could just ban that from my house!!!!    — Amanda G. (posted on March 9, 2002)

March 9, 2002
first and formost i would say follow drs advice ive gone to soft foods such as scrambled eggs egg salad (i reduce alot of yolk to avoid fat) tuna salad chicken salad low fat shredded mozerella or string cheese cottage cheese all are good sources of protein but i would watch the fat in some cheeses and 2 much cheese will constipate you low fat refried beans are good protein so is sugar free penut butter but i havent tried this yet im afraid ill clog something just remember to chew to a puried consistency and you should be ok oh fish is good too i hope this helps good luck to you:)
   — carrie M.

March 9, 2002
Hi! Take some of the protein powder and add it to oatmeal or cream of wheat. I had the vanilla CarbSolutions from WalMart and it didn't taste bad at all. Add a half banana to your protein drink. I mixed mine with the Carnation no-sugar added Instant Breakfast. Get one of the little hand held blenders from Walmart ($9.99) and you can puree almost anything. You really have to be creative during this stage or your emotions will start ruling your recovery. That makes it so much tougher. I speak from experience there. I even took a small can of Hormel chili with beans and pureed that. Tasted delicious. In the hospital they gave me tomato soup. At home I sprinkled cheese on it. Right now it is more important for you to stay hydrated. As you can eat more, the protein will not be a problem. As for your hair, it grows back. It is a reaction to surgery and a temporary problem. Good luck and it will get easier.
   — grammie5

March 10, 2002
Amanda, I'm not sure what your dr means by pureed so you might check with him before following any of our advice..but at 7 days I was on soft foods and was eating things such as cottage cheese..cream of wheat..(not oatmeal)...applesauce..pintos and cheese from taco bell..dont stress too much about the protien at this point..2-3 protien shakes a day will be fine..whats important is following your drs orders :)
   — Eva C.

March 10, 2002
I am almost 3 months post-op and I have had no noticeable hair loss so far. I have never done protein supplements or shakes because my surgeon says they are not necessary. I went to a nutritionist who works very closely with Dr. Champion in Atlanta and other wls surgeons. The nutritionist told me there is absolutely nothing you can do to prevent hair loss if you are going to be one of the ones that have it. He said the hair loss will occur around the 3rd-4th month and only lasts a month or two. He said it will be minimal (if at all) and most likely only noticeable by you. Karen
   — Karen W.