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Food For Family, Etc After Wls



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I'm a month pre-op. I do all the shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc. My dh works very late most nights--for example, last night he got home at 9:10 pm. I have 2 teenage boys---neither can cook. Any suggestions on how I can prepare for their meals after my surgery? How long will it be before I can really cook and do the home stuff again? TIA

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Can you make somethings ahead of time that can be frozen and tossed in the oven?

I have a lot of friends who make Crock Pot Bags, they put all the ingredients in the bag and freeze it, then when they are ready for it the put it in the crock pot.

http://lovingmynest.com/learning-activities/freezer-crock-pot-cooking-day/

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Yep -- time for the boys to man-up and learn some life skills! At my office, they used to refer to my son as the "latchkey chef". He'd do the prep work and start dinner when he got home. He's 25 now, and continues to be a great cook! Same with his laundry, doing the dishes, etc.

I've never seen a teenage boy starve because his mom can't fix dinner! But if that's the way you like it - then I'd suggest crock pot meals, Anybody can cut up vegetables, toss in the meat and throw a can of Soup over it!

I'd also suggest going to Sam's or costco -- they have a huge variety of frozen Entrees. So no one has to cook. That would just be stuff for the guys -- but that would be OK until you are eating real food again.

You will have had abdominal surgery -- IMHO, it's time for them to take care of you! It will probably give them a greater appreciation for all you do for them!

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I came to here to say what most people said: Teach the teenagers how to cook. The crock pot thing is a good idea and it will produce meals that you will be able to eat after you get back on solids.

I started cooking and freezing Soups and things for myself 1 month before surgery. I was really able to cook as soon as I got home, but not everybody sails through it. This is a good excuse to get those kids learning how to run their own house.

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Most boys love frozen meals, so go to Sam' or costco and stock up for about 2-3 weeks of meals for them. Put back some cash so they can have a couple of meals out during that time. My son lived off of frozen chicken strips through most of high school, by his choice. You can also make up taco meat and burrito filling, they love that too. Chili is good, they can make frito chili pie by themselves. Sand which meats, cheeses and bread with a salad. They will survive for a few days while you heal and get your rest. ;)

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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