Question:
3 weeks post-ops...what are you eating and how much?

I can't seem to get the right mix. How much of what can i eat? ie. Can I eat a1 scrambled egg in the AM in 20 mins. or is that too much in too short of time? Can I just sit and eat 1 entire sugar free popsicle in ....10 mins? I don't know what I should be doing. HELP    — Elizabeth P. (posted on July 10, 2002)

July 9, 2002
I am a little over 3 weeks post-op. I can eat half a cup or 4 oz. of almost any kind of protein except beef (haven't tried or wanted to try pork-yuk!)- cottage cheese, boiled eggs,canned chicken, cheese, broiled shrimp and scallops. Have started adding some fruits lately. Can NOT eat anything fried or with a lot of fat- makes me throw up. Crackers (4 or 5) are easier to handle than bread. I don't dump on milk, so my protein shakes are skim milk-based. Try doing a protein shake for 2 meals and eating soft protein for the 3rd. If it took me 20 mins. to eat an egg, I'd go nuts BUT everyone is different. Take the time you need. No one can really tell you the perfect or exact way to to do it because we're all so different. Just take it easy, add foods slowly, take a bite, see if it feels OK, take another bite, wait a while, and take another. If you feel any signs of distress, don't eat any more for a while. In a couple of days, go back and try it again. The two most impt. things to remember is to get the water in (dehydration is no fun) and the protein in. If not, you'll lose muscle mass (the body literally begins digesting itself- not good). And, if the protein shakes and the water are all you can tolerate, don't worry too much about that. Just keep trying to add foods a little at a time. Do you have a nutritionist you can consult with? S/he will be able to give you good advice. Good luck!
   — Loretta E.