Hello Everyone!

I am new here. 32 years old and female. I am scheduled to have my Gastric Sleeve surgery on April 14. During the 6 month diet process I have had trouble and am still having trouble figuring out what to eat, mainly because I am a picky eater and also because I really never know what to do with a bunch of ingredients.

I was once a big time starch eater; mostly Pasta, pizza, rice, etc. However I started cutting it out of my diet for the sake of my surgery and the weight-loss alone from cutting that has been decent. I started drinking Protein powders (mostly BSN Syntha 6 because the flavors are tasty) about 5 months ago. Now my diet consist mostly of Protein powder, low fat string cheese, Beans, non starchy vegetables, eggs, and chicken or turkey sources with the occasional Peanut Butter on something or some plain oatmeal with smart balance butter and salt or grits (since I prefer that) and Fage greek yogurt with salt (since it makes it taste like cream cheese).

I guess my problem is that I am getting bored with the food choices available and have literally been struggling to train my palate to like oatmeal and yogurt (since I never liked them ever growing up). I eat fruit occasionally, but don't really like sweets since I've weened off of sugar a couple years ago and now drink my teas sugar free.

I was wondering if anybody who is pre-surgical or post surgical can offer some advice for me. For the past 2 weeks or so I have eaten close to nothing because I don't feel hungry and I also don't want to regain the weight. This is where the "borderline anorexia" bit comes in. Can somebody please help me get through this so I can have a successful surgery and heal properly?

Thanks!

Keyo

@@Inner Surfer Girl

Thank you for the suggestion. You told me the same thing my nutritionist told me about a Protein and vegetable source. I am still experimenting with different vegetables, but I do eat a lot more of those than I do fruit. The protein is where I am having the problem. cheese, Beans, chicken, Turkey, and eggs are the only sources I am aware of that I eat and cannot seem to think of what to do with them. This is when I just have a shake.

I will look up bariatric recipes this weekend and see how I can make my meals "not boring" and how I can learn to enjoy cooking again. You guys have been helpful and I am really sorry again for coming across all rude. This is still very hard for me, especially as the day draws near and I have very little outside support in my life.

Edited February 22, 201511 yr by Keyo

google "recipes with ingredients I have or like" and then list just those foods you like and see what comes up.

I'm not a picky eater and I prefer vegetables to fruit but I don't eat cheese, yogurt, salmon or peppers. I can't eat (due to diverticulosis) corn, popcorn, nuts, seeds, etc.. So, I will have some things to overcome when I get to the soft food and full food phase.

Get some herbs, spices, and olive oil. You can roast chicken and turkey. You can make an omelette with egg and cheese. As others have said, do an online search for a protein along with "easy" or "simple". Other search terms you can use "bariatric", "sleeve", "clean", "whole".

I was wondering if anybody who is pre-surgical or post surgical can offer some advice for me. For the past 2 weeks or so I have eaten close to nothing because I don't feel hungry and I also don't want to regain the weight. This is where the "borderline anorexia" bit comes in. Can somebody please help me get through this so I can have a successful surgery and heal properly?

I don't think anyone who recommends therapy was trying to be rude. It sounds more like you are borderline Orthorexic. Anorexics are literally starving themselves to death. You are no where near starving. It does sound like in trying to change your eating habits you have become a bit limited in what you will an won't eat. When we become too rigid in our eating habits it can be just as crippling as anorexia.

You'll need a 2 pronged approach. Yes you may need therapy, but you will also have to actively seek out ways to expand you repertoire. Some of the websites others have recommended may help. I've heard of people also taking nutrition and cooking classes. You can work with a therapist to try one new food or dish at different intervals. Taking a nutrition/cooking class is helpful because you can gain insight into what type of Vitamin and nutrients are in foods instead of generalities like bread = carbs.

I am a very picky eater and this is one thing that makes me extremely nervous for surgery. I am a carb lover, which is why I ended up so big. But I am a very picky veggie eater, so I have a hard time with that, since most of the ones I like are considered starchy...bummer. I was told to really cut the starches out, eat lean protein: chicken and fish (I am not a seafood person), Beans, & non starchy veggies. So I am having a real tough time with this. I am a pinterest girl, so I will do searches there to get ideas. And I have a bunch of things pinned that are OK to eat. I have a friend that is all Paleo and has found good things that are good substitutes. I totally get where you are at. I wish you lots of luck!

Our surgery is on the same day. Good luck to you.