Question:
I am 3 weeks post-op, am I eating things I shouldn't be?
Let me first say I am not proud of myself for not following the eating plan I was given--I almost posted this anonymously. I had open RNY a little over 3 weeks ago. I am having an easier time getting the protein from food, even though at this point the dietician instructions are to have FIVE packets of Carnation Instant Breakfast a day, along with some food. The thought of it makes me sick, I can do maybe one a day, but FIVE? I have been experimenting and have been able to keep down everything I have eaten, even small pieces of meat, chewed thoroughly, of course. I do cottage cheese, tuna, soups w/pieces of meat in them, cheese, deli meat...all with no trouble at all. Am I jeopardizing myself? I am so convinced that I am going to screw this up just like every other diet I have been on. I am bummed because I just can't see this working yet, which I know is silly since I am just 3 weeks out. I guess I am looking for some reassurance and a kick in the pants if needed. — Jennifer G. (posted on March 5, 2002)
March 5, 2002
I think as long as you chew everyting to death and eat slowly and you are
tolerating it well you should be fine. Keep in mind there are some surgeons
who have their patients on solid food before they leave the hospital. As
for the CIB, I must say that's a it ridiculous. The stuff isn't even that
healthy. There are better tasting drinks with a lot more protein. ALba for
instance. I think as long as you feel fine and eat your required amount of
protein and drinkyour water, you will be ok, but don't push it! Good Luck!
— [Anonymous]
March 5, 2002
Please follow the advice of your Dr!!! It is important that you heal
correctly. Every Dr has thier own ideas about what you should eat. And
yours is no different. Listen to him and not what others pos or you want to
hear. Good Luck
— Robert L.
March 5, 2002
My question to you is why would you go through all the trouble, let alone
the pain to only do what you want. You trusted this surgeon enough to cut
you open and play around with your insides. Don't you think if you went
that far in trusting him, you should also trust him on the little things.
— Emile N.
March 5, 2002
I have to agree with anon. We cannot be released UNTIL we eat food, so I
don't know why there are so many on liquids only. Maybe being over
cautious, but I think its overkill. You are probably doing just fine. As
long as everything is chewed to pureed consistency, you will be fine. I
never pureed anything unless it was done by my own teeth. And 5 CIBs a
day is ridiculous. It doesn't have that much protein in it. I dumped on
CIB no sugar added. I don't know why. There are other tastier ways to get
your protein in. I would hold out on steak, chicken and things in those
meat families. My instructions were to wait 4-6 weeks for meat. My
nutritionist gave me the 'go-ahead' for turkey for Thankgiving when I was
almost 3 weeks out, but to chew very well and very small bites. They all
have different opinions and ideas of what works, but they all aren't
right!!
— Cheri M.
March 5, 2002
Hopefully it will make you feel better to hear that those are alomost
exactly the eating instructions my surgeon gave me as far as eating. I
lived on cottage cheese for several weeks. I had lap rny on jan 16th of
this year. I dont think anything you are eating sounds all that bad,
believe me you will know if it doesnt agree with you..ouch!
— kittycat
March 5, 2002
I had lap in Dec 2001 and I did what my surgeon recommended for about the
first 6 weeks. I was good but I did try some items which he probably
wouldn't have approved, nothing bad like cakes or candy. I was sure to get
my protein in first and foremost. I now have a Protoplex lite shake once a
day(25 g of protein, 190 calories)mixed with water, instead of the CIB. I
also eat a protein bar occasionally, but most of my protein comes from my
food. Remember you are healing inside and your pouch is very sensitive so
don't over load it and cause damage to yourself. I have lost 46 pounds so I
must be doing something right. And no ill effects at all except for once I
ate to fast and threw up. Be careful of dry chicken, make sure it is moist
!! Whew!! Good luck to you. Take care.
— [Anonymous]
March 5, 2002
You sound like you are doing fine! The choices you are making are HEALTHY
and protein-rich! As long as your portions are small, and your tummy isn't
getting sick, I think you are doing great. I have been eating 'normal'
foods since about week 2, and I think that is why I was able to be up,
alert and not lethargic like many post-ops. Continue making healthy
choices, and you will be a success! Good Luck! :) PS- I also 'plateaued'
between 10 days and 25 days out or so... I think it's our bodies getting
used to such a drastic change. Don't get discouraged yet!! Wait a few
weeks, and you will see yourself melting away!
— Angela B.
March 5, 2002
I've seen posts from some people who said they couldn't leave the hospital
until they could 'eat', usually something soft or pureed. I've also seen
some whose surgeons want them on nothing but clear liquids for 3 or 4
weeks, with another 3 or 4 weeks on full liquids, (pudding, creamed soups,
etc.). I've also seen posts from a LOT of people who just couldn't do the
CIB. As long as you're not getting sick and you are staying with protein
rich foods, you'll probably be just fine.
— garw
March 5, 2002
I had the same fear...I can eat anything....my doc says those who learn to
eat normal food properly are more likely to succeed.
Remember these rulle...chew, chew, chew, .....eat till you are
comfortable, .....drink lots of water. i take no protein supps. My doc
these are justco-dependenceies that we are already trying to get
over....eat you protein first.
I have lost 22 lbs. at 2 weeks out. I eat no sugars and no carbonated
bev. Bread is the only thing I have found I have trouble with...I was
never on liquids.
— Oldsoul
March 5, 2002
Hello. I am 5 weeks out now...maybe 6?? and anyway I didn't notice a change
until JUST YESTERDAY! I tried on some jeans and I was like WHOA, they're
TOO BIG!! I tried them on at 3 weeks and was all depressed for a day or two
because they still fit! I promise you'll see some results. Also, you might
be on a plateau. I hit one at the end of week 2 and it lasted 8 days. Blah.
— Paula Prichard
March 5, 2002
Dont be so hard on yourself! I, too, was so tired of the soft and pureed
food that I started trying new things before I was supposed to. A person
can only handle so much cream soup, yogurt, cottage cheese and pudding! LOL
When I saw my surgeon at 6 weeks out I told him what I had been doing, and
he wasnt upset with me at all. He said thats the way to do it... slow
experimenting. If anything bothers you right now, try it again in a month
or so. I was also worried I was going to sabotage my "tool", but,
it hasnt happened yet. If you "fall off the wagon", just get back
on and try your best to adhere to your doc's orders. We all make mistakes,
thats for sure. : ) I didnt even start with the Carnation Instant
Breakfast. It has way too much sugar and not enough protein. There are much
better supplements out there. Hit your local GNC and find something you can
handle. They even have a no hassle return policy for anything you buy
there, even after youve opened it. You definitely cant beat that! That
helps because there are a lot of BAD tasting protein drinks out there,
believe me, I know, Ive tried many. I also didnt see results for a long
time. It seems like it took almost 3 months for me to notice anything
different about myself. Then all of a sudden it happened... I looked
smaller and my clothes were falling off of me. Dont get so discouraged,
youre very early into your journey. Just remember, if you arent losing
pounds, youre losing inches. I found that out the hard way... by beating
myself up over the scale not moving. LOL Try to keep a positive attitude.
Some days that might be a hard thing to do, but, youre better off not
getting too upset about the small stuff. Good luck and God bless!
— Kerry P.
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