Question:
i'm 5 weeks post op...muscles still very week. not eating right?

can someone please tell me what a typical day of eating was for them. I have a feeling i'm not eating the right things. I'll appreciate any advice I can get. Thanks in advance.    — Janice C. (posted on March 4, 2004)

March 4, 2004
It takes awhile to be able to get in enough calories in the early stages. I ate cheese, peanut butter, soups with dry milk added, yogurt, soft veggies, cottage cheese, protein drinks, deli meat rolled around a piece of string cheese, eggs.........can't think of anything else right now but I could only eat about two bites of something so I ate very frequently. It took me about six to eight weeks to begin feeling really energetic though. At the early stage, my doctor said it was MUCH more important to get in as much fluid as possible.
   —  SCbabe B.

March 4, 2004
How much protein are you getting in? I know when I moved from Liquid shakes to foods my protein intake dropped and I started feeling really run down and weak. Count the grams of protein you eat and work to get a minium of 50 to 60 grams a day, even if it means you have to have a protein shake. <br><br> At 5 weeks, I was eating things like yogurt, deli ham, deli turkey, shrimp, cottage cheese, refied beans, eggs, cheese, sugar free pudding, tuna and fish. Most days I wouldn't make it to 50 grams of protein with at least having a Carnation instant breakfast (not as high of protein as 'protein' shakes, but taste way better to me) But if near the end of the day my protein level was still low, I would have an unjury protein shake for 28 grams of protein. Keeping that protein level up at 50 to 60 minimum will really, really help how you feel. And that's just the minimum, my doc wants us to shoot for 75 to 100 the 50 to 60 is just the bare minimum they want us to take in.
   — Patricia T.

March 4, 2004
Please look into protein drinks at GNC. I can't remember the name but it has 45 grams of protein for a large can. There is also something called isopure which tastes like Koolaid but as 45 grams of protein for a whole bottle. There are alot of powder protein drinks that when you add skim milk, yogart, etc. the protein will go as high as 40 grams. You need to go into health food stores, and GNC. Good Luck. Also try soup (no salt added - Healthy Valley) add your power milk a slice of FF cheese and your have over 20 grams of protein.
   — Linda R.

March 5, 2004
Gosh at 5 weeks i was MEASURING out my 2 oz only and was eating beans w/cheese, yogurt, masshed potatoes, soups,applesauce...Still the soft foods...Still very TIRED and SLuggish you body by any means is still NOT OVER THE SHOCK and it takes a while Just make sure to go slow, and Follow Docs orders and types of food. Hope this helps Lisa S.
   — lukimom

March 5, 2004
I was feeling tired until I made my protein intake a top priority and you have to find the drink that is right for you! It will mean spending and wasting a few bucks, but if you want to feel better you need that protein. I also found that cream of chicken soup gave me more strength than that Yuckie chicken broth - don't eat the bits of chicken just the creamed portion, cream of potato etc., and sip water. I had salt cravings also so I licked some crackers or chips - only could take about 2-4. You will feel stronger each day so try not to worry.
   — Anna M.

March 11, 2004
iu would get up, scramble an egg white and put a little cheese on it for breakfast. mid morning i would have about 2 or 3 oz of fat free sweet acedolphus milk or protien drink (abt 3 or 4 oz's over a half hour). lunch was about an ounce or 2 of pureed protien with a bite or two of pureed vegtable. mid afternoon i'd have more protien or s/f yougart (can't stand cottage cheese), then i'd have for dinner the same size dinner that i had for lunch. if i have vegtable for lunch, then i do fruit for dinner and visa versa. before bed one or two oz's of milk. a lot of post op's are against milk because of the sugar content. it's natural sugar and a good source of protien. if you can't handle moo, then try soy milk. it tastes a little grany, but you get the same taste as moo.i also slowly sipped my requiste 10 glasses of h2o a day. it wasn't until 2 or 3 mos out that i started feeling realy good. it's a very big change for your body, and it truly does get better with time. good luck and god bless!! out 10.5 mos, down 97 lbs...
   — mellyhudel