Marty McSkinnystein

I'm at 2 weeks after surgery and I just had something allowed at pureed stage. It's called Shelley's Ricotta Bake and basically is the insides of lasagna. I am just like you--- can't imagine not having EVERY part of a meal...from bread to Soup to meat, starch etc. However, there's like a switch after surgery- for example this thing I just ate- fabulous, (but I burned it ) I just knew I couldn't eat that much. I put like a "normal" serving on my plate (which was dumb) but I have this built in thing now that just says STOP and I honor it. It's not the same anymore. You really don't want to keep going. And I don't mean the word pizza doesn't conjure up happy thoughts but ...here's how someone said it to me- You know how after Thanksgiving meal you look around and appreciate how amazing it was but.there's no way you could eat another bite.. that's how this feels. I can't tell you how freeing that is. I know what you're saying, trust me--- we probably all do.
There comes a point when you know, I just can't live like this. I just can't continue to let food be what I live for. How will I replace it? Not sure but I can't do it anymore. Done. And I've had barely any pain, no complications and am gaining more strength every day. I wish you luck!!! Keep writing.

Yeah, I'm going to need to get that recipe! Can you message me with it?

I'm at 2 weeks after surgery and I just had something allowed at pureed stage. It's called Shelley's Ricotta Bake and basically is the insides of lasagna. I am just like you--- can't imagine not having EVERY part of a meal...from bread to Soup to meat, starch etc. However, there's like a switch after surgery- for example this thing I just ate- fabulous, (but I burned it ) I just knew I couldn't eat that much. I put like a "normal" serving on my plate (which was dumb) but I have this built in thing now that just says STOP and I honor it. It's not the same anymore. You really don't want to keep going. And I don't mean the word pizza doesn't conjure up happy thoughts but ...here's how someone said it to me- You know how after Thanksgiving meal you look around and appreciate how amazing it was but.there's no way you could eat another bite.. that's how this feels. I can't tell you how freeing that is. I know what you're saying, trust me--- we probably all do.
There comes a point when you know, I just can't live like this. I just can't continue to let food be what I live for. How will I replace it? Not sure but I can't do it anymore. Done. And I've had barely any pain, no complications and am gaining more strength every day. I wish you luck!!! Keep writing.

OMG, I am so not a cook- you have it made! Almost every recipe and food has something that can be converted into something we can eat- and love. I think we love it more because we're actually appreciating it finally. I am so incredibly grateful to be able to help you and listen having been in your shoes and knowing how much support is needed. I have people ahead of me in the process who really helped me through. Anytime!

I'm at 2 weeks after surgery and I just had something allowed at pureed stage. It's called Shelley's Ricotta Bake and basically is the insides of lasagna. I am just like you--- can't imagine not having EVERY part of a meal...from bread to Soup to meat, starch etc. However, there's like a switch after surgery- for example this thing I just ate- fabulous, (but I burned it ) I just knew I couldn't eat that much. I put like a "normal" serving on my plate (which was dumb) but I have this built in thing now that just says STOP and I honor it. It's not the same anymore. You really don't want to keep going. And I don't mean the word pizza doesn't conjure up happy thoughts but ...here's how someone said it to me- You know how after Thanksgiving meal you look around and appreciate how amazing it was but.there's no way you could eat another bite.. that's how this feels. I can't tell you how freeing that is. I know what you're saying, trust me--- we probably all do.
There comes a point when you know, I just can't live like this. I just can't continue to let food be what I live for. How will I replace it? Not sure but I can't do it anymore. Done. And I've had barely any pain, no complications and am gaining more strength every day. I wish you luck!!! Keep writing.

I'm at 2 weeks after surgery and I just had something allowed at pureed stage. It's called Shelley's Ricotta Bake and basically is the insides of lasagna. I am just like you--- can't imagine not having EVERY part of a meal...from bread to Soup to meat, starch etc. However, there's like a switch after surgery- for example this thing I just ate- fabulous, (but I burned it ) I just knew I couldn't eat that much. I put like a "normal" serving on my plate (which was dumb) but I have this built in thing now that just says STOP and I honor it. It's not the same anymore. You really don't want to keep going. And I don't mean the word pizza doesn't conjure up happy thoughts but ...here's how someone said it to me- You know how after Thanksgiving meal you look around and appreciate how amazing it was but.there's no way you could eat another bite.. that's how this feels. I can't tell you how freeing that is. I know what you're saying, trust me--- we probably all do.
There comes a point when you know, I just can't live like this. I just can't continue to let food be what I live for. How will I replace it? Not sure but I can't do it anymore. Done. And I've had barely any pain, no complications and am gaining more strength every day. I wish you luck!!! Keep writing.

Today is my first day of purees as well.
I had an appt. and then went shopping. I think I got every possible thing that can be mushed today. I'm so exhausted from the shopping I can't even begin to cook the things I had planned..the ricotta bake, the cauliflower cheesy bake thingy I've read about...ect. etc. I did eat (suck on) one of those laughing cow cheeses...YUMMY!!! It was awesome after about a month of liquid.
I hope everyone's healing well. I really don't feel like I had such a major surgery.
Lara, It takes time for the insisions to look great probably. Mine aren't bad- although I don't know what to compare them to. You could do stool softener. Good luck!!
P.S. Where's your tickers people?! I'd love to see as we all go down together.

I have been away for a couple days and wanted to check in on how Patrick Curl is doing. I don't see any posts from Patrick? Any updates???

I don't think the banana seeds will be a problem. I have seen a recipe which calls for mashing the banana with a fork until pasty, and that certainly doesn't puree the seeds.

Haha "I wouldn't sweat your banana seeds"-- sounds like a saying. Thanks!
(re: your theory, I hesitate with the "climate" of today's posts to say- Sooo I can eat a burger and fries too???)
Thanks Tonya too!

Haha "I wouldn't sweat your banana seeds"-- sounds like a saying. Thanks!
(re: your theory, I hesitate with the "climate" of today's posts to say- Sooo I can eat a burger and fries too???)
Thanks Tonya too!

It figures my "big" questions always come at or close to 5 on a Friday and I don't want to bother anyone at the surgeon's office if most here say it's not a biggie.
Not sure if this is a problem.
In 3 days I start pureed (OMG- cant wait for the ricotta thing!!).
So I dug out this amazing blender for Protein etc. shakes I bought years ago and whipped up a concoction- vanilla RTD shake, some greek yogurt, ice, pumpkin pie spice, tsp. of Peanut Butter and a 1/4 a banana.< /p>
It has been (haha- 2 hours later) amazing!
But... as a was gulping (for some reason liquids go down fine- I know I need to slow my roll) I tasted a piece and realized banana has these tiny pulpy seedy pieces. They were extremely fine and did get pulverized through the blender.
I had lots of it already.
The thing that freaks me out is one day this week someone said something about accumulated stuff like that getting stuck in the staple line and causing an infection.
Do you think I have anything to fear? I've been so "good."
I read about people going to soft foods almost immediately and can't understand that, however that makes me think if they "made it" doing that-- I'm probably fine???
Also, I'm not having any liquid restriction so this shake was really a lot --- since I didn't feel a need to stop how did you know when to? Calorie wise I'm still prob. around 500 a day but getting in at least the 70 grams and all liquid- easily.
Thanks for any knowledge or even if you know a place on here that explains this process a little more fully.

Almost 2 weeks out and I feel good-- it gets better everyday. I love peppermint tea esp. in the morning. It's so soothing and nice. Everything works it's way out.
Walk, sip and dream of the changes coming soon.

I guess i was so sick and tired of how I felt I was willing to take a leap of faith. I've been extremely optimistic now, where my whole life I've been afraid and looking up symptoms, taking my temp. every few minutes when concerned I'm sick and imagining blood clots.
I had complete faith in the reviews and reputation of my surgeon, believed I have angels watching over me and in general feel that I am destined for better than what I was living.
That does not mean others who get complications don't have that mindset at all.
But, for me, attitude was and is everything right now. I refuse to live in what I can't have, or how I get those weird sensations (I think "great I'm healing" when I feel them). I got my funky compression socks on, hubby gave me my lovenox shot this morning which I didn't even feel. Some days it feels like a shot and some days I literally wonder if he did it. Then I get that little burn and know it happened. I have a completely bruised up stomach and I'm happy!
You can't turn back. You are going to be heathy and more beautiful and have more energy. I may get depressed later but in my 9th day after surgery I'm so grateful to turn back time in essence. My face is looking like it did 10 years ago already.
I hesitated to have such a positive post because I understand depression, people not understanding, or being condescending but I want you to remember most say it gets better, they don't regret it and EVENTUALLY they get to eat what they like even though it's in small quantities.
I wish you peace of mind and will put that out for you. After doing something like this you deserve to be happy and feel better. All my best!!

I guess i was so sick and tired of how I felt I was willing to take a leap of faith. I've been extremely optimistic now, where my whole life I've been afraid and looking up symptoms, taking my temp. every few minutes when concerned I'm sick and imagining blood clots.
I had complete faith in the reviews and reputation of my surgeon, believed I have angels watching over me and in general feel that I am destined for better than what I was living.
That does not mean others who get complications don't have that mindset at all.
But, for me, attitude was and is everything right now. I refuse to live in what I can't have, or how I get those weird sensations (I think "great I'm healing" when I feel them). I got my funky compression socks on, hubby gave me my lovenox shot this morning which I didn't even feel. Some days it feels like a shot and some days I literally wonder if he did it. Then I get that little burn and know it happened. I have a completely bruised up stomach and I'm happy!
You can't turn back. You are going to be heathy and more beautiful and have more energy. I may get depressed later but in my 9th day after surgery I'm so grateful to turn back time in essence. My face is looking like it did 10 years ago already.
I hesitated to have such a positive post because I understand depression, people not understanding, or being condescending but I want you to remember most say it gets better, they don't regret it and EVENTUALLY they get to eat what they like even though it's in small quantities.
I wish you peace of mind and will put that out for you. After doing something like this you deserve to be happy and feel better. All my best!!

Just a small update..my pre admission testing is the 23rd and my EGD is on the 25th. I'd appreciate any prayers, good thoughts or positive energy.

I guess i was so sick and tired of how I felt I was willing to take a leap of faith. I've been extremely optimistic now, where my whole life I've been afraid and looking up symptoms, taking my temp. every few minutes when concerned I'm sick and imagining blood clots.
I had complete faith in the reviews and reputation of my surgeon, believed I have angels watching over me and in general feel that I am destined for better than what I was living.
That does not mean others who get complications don't have that mindset at all.
But, for me, attitude was and is everything right now. I refuse to live in what I can't have, or how I get those weird sensations (I think "great I'm healing" when I feel them). I got my funky compression socks on, hubby gave me my lovenox shot this morning which I didn't even feel. Some days it feels like a shot and some days I literally wonder if he did it. Then I get that little burn and know it happened. I have a completely bruised up stomach and I'm happy!
You can't turn back. You are going to be heathy and more beautiful and have more energy. I may get depressed later but in my 9th day after surgery I'm so grateful to turn back time in essence. My face is looking like it did 10 years ago already.
I hesitated to have such a positive post because I understand depression, people not understanding, or being condescending but I want you to remember most say it gets better, they don't regret it and EVENTUALLY they get to eat what they like even though it's in small quantities.
I wish you peace of mind and will put that out for you. After doing something like this you deserve to be happy and feel better. All my best!!

Technically I guess we could google "how much fat is in a va jay jay" and then get a study done on yours before and measure the difference. I fear I may never stop laughing. I'm just waiting for someone to tell me I'm immature because it's a serious question. And it is. But.....

Ah the irony that her great-granddaughter's name is GeauxForit.

What a wonderful comprehensive post detailing every aspect of surgery and the first week. It's a must read for those contemplating surgery. I'm at about the same point as you- tomorrow will be a week- and relate to much of what you said.
Love the little picture of what's our food and meds. at this point...lol.
Keep getting stronger!

Buy a shelf instead of using my boobs as one (my crumb catchers).

I hear they're on the way!! Go get 'em girl!

I love the peppermint tea every morning and also any of the Celestial teas like honey vanilla camomile are so nice and soothing- I kind of drink them all day in addition to Water.
It's so true that every day gets better. Sometimes it's moment by moment though. Not pain but like spikes of energy of complete lack of it.
I'm so grateful I haven't had issues with food/taste/temp. tolerance though.
As far as shakes I drink Oh Yeah (30 grams protein) and Pure Protein (in a can) 35 grams Protein.< /p>

How do you explain it if you're a klutz like me and the balls fall out and you trip over them and break your neck while running on the treadmill. "I was...um...er...ah... just put the cast on." -not that I can't keep them in with the best of them......(oohoooh she went there!!!)

How many of you ask your closest people, "Hey, see that woman, I'm not as big as her am I?" And you happen to pick the biggest person so they say "No way!!!" LOL