ChaChaBurch

The tuna is the kind in a pouch - and I don't puree it, I just use two forks and mush it really, really good. As for full-fat may and dressings, versus the fat-free, my NUT says to use Fat Free (due to the fat content - hahaha). I personally use the full fat versions. However, I've seen some folks on the site that have problems with their new tummy accepting full-fat versions. So I guess for me, it's full-fat versions, and I use much, much less than I used to. I can't stand the taste of the fat-free versions at all. So, I use full-fat versions, and my tummy seems to do fine with them.

Wow, yesterday was my 3 week post op "surgiversary". I was in town all day yesterday, visiting the 2 Health Food stores, along with doing a little bit of grocery shopping. Also found out that new Health Food store opened that is even closer to me, so I will have to go see what they carry, next week. I tried a new recipe and it was really good. So good in fact that I ate too much and got extremely nauseous - I don't know if it was the amount I ate, or maybe the Hot Wing Sauce since my tummy isn't used to spicy yet! I took canned chicken, real mayo, and added a bit of Franks Hot Wing Sauce, and made a "Buffalo Chicken Salad". I will have to eat a bit more today (smaller portion), and see if it still makes me sick - sure hope not - it really made my taste buds happy. Exactly 1 month ago today, I started the pre-op diet (3/13), and so far, I've lost a total of 25.6lbs. I'm really pleased with that number, and it will be interesting to see how the next month progresses. Now, I'm going to have to start focusing more on "moving", and increase my walking.

I understand where you're coming from. My taste buds have completely changed. I asked my NUT about it and she said that it was pretty common and it usually is a phase that passes. Do you have a NUT that you can work with, or contact your Doctor for suggestions - especially with you feeling weak? You are probably dehydrated. You might go to the "recipe" forum here and see if you can find more suggestions. For me personally, even though most things taste different, and I have no interest in eating, I still MAKE myself eat, focusing on protein first. I've worked too hard to get this surgery, and I am committed to losing the weight, so I just keep on pushing through each and every day. I know it's hard for you, especially with feeling weak, but it will get better.

When I eat, it's usually about 1/2 cup at a time, but I sit and eat baby bites slowly over time.

I use a blender on some things, and for the veggies I just cook them super soft, and then use a fork to sort of mash them up. I also love eggs. I eat them scrambled or fried. Again, I use a fork to mush them up.

Finally found one I can eat - Dannon OIKOS Fruit at the bottom- tried the strawberry - delicious!

Hey gette2751 - Could I have your recipes for buffalo chicken salad? It sounds really good!

I lost 20 lbs really fast, and since then have slowed dramatically. I have a hard time getting in the calories (no appetite), and I know that my body has gone into "starvation mode", and is hanging on to the fat right now. I'm also 3 weeks post-op and have hit my first stall. However, I really like the idea of losing slowly because I shouldn't have as much saggy skin, and I am a little bit worried about possible hair loss. My NUT said that in order to lose weight, I have to eat more (which sounds weird, but I know it's true). So I am basically forcing myself to eat more often to try and increase my calories. Just like the story of the tortoise and the hare . . . slow and sure wins every time!

Tomorrow I will be 3 weeks post-op. I've been sleeping better, and my stamina is a little bit better than last week. Easter weekend wasn't as bad as I expected. I was able to eat mashed potatoes with gravy, super soft squash casserole, and refried beans (from Taco Bueno). I even ate a single green bean that was super soft. So what have I noticed over the past couple of days? My taste buds are really weird. Nothing really tastes the way I remember it. Everything seems to taste "stronger", or "weird". I'm wondering if this is because of the liquid phase, or if it has something to do with me not really being hungry. I had 1 day where I felt like I could never get full, but that was just the 1 day. All my other days have been a struggle trying to figure out what to eat, because nothing interested me. Even pizza, which was all I could think about for about a week after the surgery. Now, I couldn't care less about eating it. I've been researching various different food lifestyles, trying to figure out which one would be best for me once I'm back on regular food. I'm thinking about the "Caveman" lifestyle, which pushes lots of meats, veggies, fruits, and nuts, and absolutely no grains, pasta, beans, rice, or dairy. I've also looked at some others that limit the "glutens", but I can't seem to make up my mind. I suspect that once I go back on regular foods, I will have the opportunity to "reorient" my taste buds and I want to make sure that what I choose is the best option for me and my DH. Thankfully, my DH will eat anything I set in front of him, he is not picky. He is also in need of losing a little bit weight, about 30lbs. Which I know he can do if I set the standard and do the cooking -- which I will when I can get back to eating regular food. So I guess I'm saying that I'm at the point where I need to make a decision on what type of food lifestyle we're going to move forward with. Decisions, decisions. Everyone I talk to tells me something different - how do I know which one is really the best one???? Probably need to start with one and find out. If it doesn't work, then try something different. The important thing is just that I start. A step forward is the only way to move forward.

I'm 3 weeks post-op (tomorrow), and I'm wondering if anyone else seems to be having the same issue. My taste buds seem to have changed dramatically.Everything I eat tastes different than it did before the surgery. Puddings, yogurts, tuna salads, etc., all seem to not taste as good as they used to. Will food ever taste really good again? Everything seems to taste "weird". That's about the best I can do to describe it. Maybe it's just that I really have no interest in eating. I have no appetite, and when I do eat, it's never really satisfying. Anyone seem to have any thoughts or suggestions? I'm still on the soft/mushy phase, and will continue to be so for about another 3 weeks.

For this weekend, I have been super tired. Not sleeping well at night. Every time I try to lie on my left side, I get a pain (feels like a pulled muscle) in my largest incision sight. Enjoyed Easter service, and went to Mom's with my DH. Mom had made some things that I could eat (mashed potatoes, squash casserole, super soft green beans). It was really nice to sit down to a meal with others and visit. One of my cousins that I grew up with was visiting. He looked incredible, and I asked him how he was doing. He had been diagnosed with Rhumatoid Arthritis about a year ago, and back then he was in really bad shape. He said he started a gluten-free lifestyle, went to www.mercola.com, and started on what is basically called "The Cave Man" diet. He said he has never felt better, and eats like a King. Lots and lots of meat, fresh veggies, fruits and nuts. No flour, beans, pasta, diary (except butter), bread, etc. I had heard of something similar to this, and since my taste buds are all "screwy", I thought that once I was able to get back on to "normal food", I might start learning how to cook all over again, but in a much, much healthier way. My weight has stayed the same for the past 3 days, so maybe I'm at my first stall. If so, that's fine. I'm more concerned about making sure that my new tummy is totally healed first. This coming Wednesday, I'll finally be able to get out and mow. I can't wait. Our yard is in serious need. Since my DH works 65-70 hrs a week, he only gets 1 day off, and that's Sunday. Since I don't work, I handle the mowing and weed eating. It will be nice to finally get our yard in shape. I can also start working on my garden. We do a "deck garden", on a back deck. I can't wait to plant tomatoes, green beans, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, herbs, eggplant. I love having a small garden that is just big enough for me and DH to eat out of. Well, I sure hope I sleep tonight. Getting up at 5am is gonna be tough if I don't.

My NUT said I could go on "pureed/super mushy" foods. I've had instant mashed potatoes with gravy (the kind in a packet that you add Water to), refried Beans, applesauce, oatmeal, grits, cream of wheat, tuna salad (tuna with LF Mayo), scrambled eggs, chicken salad (canned chicken with LF Mayo), poached eggs, any kind of Soup (as long as I puree it), any vegetable (except corn) cooked soft and blended. I've done well with this, but just take it slow and take baby bits and wait a few minutes between bites.

Hey March Sleevers - Are you doing anything special for Easter? I mean, it's not like I can eat the "usual" Easter meal - at our house that would consist of ham, deviled eggs, potato salad, leafy salad, etc. My mom is cooking a large lunch meal, so I'm sending my DH to eat at her house (which is next door). I'm not sure I can handle walking into Mom's house and have the smell of Easter lunch hit me. About the only thing I COULD eat at this point would be the deviled eggs. How are you guys going to handle it?

I am 2 weeks post-op today (yayyy), and I tried some Greek yogurt for the first time today - OIKOS Organic Greek yogurt (vanilla). I have to say that it's about the worst tasting yogurt I've ever had! I know that it's a healthier option for me (15g of protein in one serving), so I'm wondering which one is your favorite? Or if you have any suggestions on how I can improve the flavor.

What a difference 2 weeks make! I've seen others posting that, and just didn't really understand it until now. Last night, DH brought me a small refried bean from Taco Bueno, and I could only hold half of it, but my oh my! It was just about the most delicious thing I've eaten in well . . . . about 3 1/2 weeks! No problems with it going down, just took it nice and slow, and savored EVERY bite! He then showed me that he had put 2 other small orders in the fridge for me. He said he knew that I was getting bored with my food, and thought that it might help. He is such a wonderful guy, and I am so blessed to have him! This morning I tried Greek yogurt for the first time, and have had a hard time eating it. It's about the most disgusting thing I've eaten. But it has 15g of protein in a single serving, so I posted on the Food Forum asking for some input, looking for a better tasting one (if one exists). Hope to have some luck with that. So I'm down 21.8 lbs in 23 days. I just can't believe that! Tomorrow is my weekly weigh in, and we'll see how it's going.

Haven't been on the website much the past 2 days, but been busy running errands, and working up at the Fire Dept. Boy, my stamina is pretty much zilch. Don't know if that's due to the surgery, the lack of calories, or what -- maybe a combination of both. At least I'm back to sleeping better at night. So I'm starting to get a little bit bored with my food choices, and "regular" food is starting to invade my thoughts. I haven't been cooking because I'm concerned that I might "cheat". I've got another 4 weeks before I can get back on regular foods. Right now, my usual food choices are Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, Instant Grits, Tuna Fish Salad, Avocado, mashed potatoes with gravy, scrambled eggs, yogurt, jello, and protein drinks. What I'd really like is something crunchy and salty -- that was always my biggest food issues, fried stuff and salty stuff. Hard to believe tomorrow will be 2 weeks since my surgery. What a difference 2 weeks make!

Joni - I took SF pudding and LF Yogurt, and some Gatorade.

Yesterday afternoon, I suddenly became ravenously hungry! It was like I hadn't eaten in 3 weeks -- which I really hadn't. It was such a surprise. I also noticed that I could drink without any issues. I guess maybe the swelling in my stomach has gone down . . . I just don't know. I ate some tuna fish salad, and avocado AND some cottage cheese with pureed peaches.It seemed to take forever to begin to feel any sense of fullness. I ate slowly, and it took me about 45 minutes, but I finally felt satisfied. This morning I woke up, and I was back to "normal" -- not the least bit interested in eating. Well, I have a TON of errands to run today, and I will be away from home for about 7-8 hours, so it remains to be seen how the day will progress. I am taking my cooler with snacks and drinks just to be on the safe side thought. CONFESSION - After the "eating binge" I seemed to have had last night, I stepped on the scale . . . terrified that the needle had gone the wrong way, but BEHOLD . . . more weight loss still.

Just be super, super careful with the tuna. Make sure it's the kind packed in water, and make it as "pureed" as you can with 2 forks. Just take itty bitty baby bites, and make sure you wait a few minutes between each bite! Good Luck.

Had a really great weekend! Did some walking, and visiting with friends. On Sunday, our church had a cook-out (hamburgers, hot-dogs, all the trimmings) to celebrate everyone who had a birthday the 1st quarter of the year -- and a HUGE cake. My name was on the cake too, so I felt like I kinda needed to attend. I took my food (tuna salad - just tuna and LF mayo; mashed potatoes w/ gravy; and avocado mixed with LF mayo), and I wasn't even the least bit tempted. Even by the cake! I have lost 19lbs at this point, and really find it amazing. I was worried that when I had the surgery, I might be one of the folks who weight loss was really slow to start, but so far, so good. I certainly don't expect to keep this up, but will enjoy it while it lasts. I'm sure that as I progress through the food phases, and eventually get back on regular food, the weight loss will drastically slow. I noticed on Sunday that I can drink more than "baby sips". While I don't want to take large gulps, I'm thankful that the swelling in my sleeve has obviously been reduced. I don't really know exactly how much I can eat at any given time. I eat something (very slowly), until I get a "full" feeling. For me, feeling full means I just don't want any more. When I do eat, I take several minutes between bites. I've seen how others take that "one bite too many" and then have to pay the price, so I really don't want to over do it. Especially at this point! So, once I lose interest in whatever it is I'm eating, I stop. Obviously I'm still struggling to get in the 60 - 70 grams of protein, but 2.5 ounces of tuna get me 21g, so between that and one of my shakes, I'm getting close!

Thanks! So far it's been a real blessing,

I am! Just started it last week -- haven't used it as faithfully as I should, but am trying! I'm "MommaChaCha".

I too, can't believe the month is over, and I am really excited to watch everyone's progress!!

So glad you found us! It's great having some "sexy silver sleevers" to talk to. At least I know I'm not the only "more mature" lady trying to do this! The support is great!!

Best of luck to you today! You are in my prayers! Let us know how you are doing!