A continuation of our Summer 2018 Check-In thread...

Welcome all Summer 2018 Surgery Post-Op Patients! As we make our way into the Post-Op zone, let’s carry on the conversation and support.

Everyone is welcome, if you had surgery in the summer of 2018 jump right in!

The Ponies applaud your Post-Op Arrival!

I've entered the soft foods stage and suddenly I'm feeling paralyzed. I cannot figure out how I can possibly get the amount of protein and drink the amount of water (the only two things I'm supposed to be tracking) through tiny amounts of food, while also being told not to eat throughout the day. For example, an egg has about 6-7g of protein -- and I have been able to eat only about 3/4-1 of a scrambled egg at a time. I'm supposed to be getting 21-30g of protein per meal -- but I can't eat 3 eggs. I also don't think I can bring myself to eat pureed meat. I realize that at some point I'm going to be able to eat larger amounts of food, but I am just trying to stick to the simple rules here and I can't wrap my brain around this. So my strategy today is to carry unflavored protein powder wherever I go and stick to my protein shake for breakfast & snacks, then add the unflavored powder to the other foods I eat. Any other strategies? I'm not craving food, but I would like to eat. I just do not want to go back to old habits! I'm determined to use this new tool I have correctly, to lose all the excess weight, and not to regain. But I'm feeling a little panicked at the moment.

On 08/23/2018 at 08:40, AELdoesRNY said:

So happy for you! It’s nice when a stall turns into two successful days!

I’m also scale obsessed but trying not to be, trying to also focus on the other things like clothes, body fat, pictures, but it’s hard. I have my workshop/training week next week and then the school year starts again - both as a teacher and nighttime graduate school - so I’m hoping my obsession will die down a little once I have more going on/more to think about!

Hey, I’m heading back to the school year as well. I’m in the same boat. I’m looking forward to being busy so I have less time to eat a snack or extra popsicle here and there.

7 minutes ago, sleevedllama said:

I've entered the soft foods stage and suddenly I'm feeling paralyzed. I cannot figure out how I can possibly get the amount of Protein and drink the amount of Water (the only two things I'm supposed to be tracking) through tiny amounts of food, while also being told not to eat throughout the day. For example, an egg has about 6-7g of protein -- and I have been able to eat only about 3/4-1 of a scrambled egg at a time. I'm supposed to be getting 21-30g of protein per meal -- but I can't eat 3 eggs. I also don't think I can bring myself to eat pureed meat. I realize that at some point I'm going to be able to eat larger amounts of food, but I am just trying to stick to the simple rules here and I can't wrap my brain around this. So my strategy today is to carry unflavored Protein Powder wherever I go and stick to my Protein Shake for Breakfast & Snacks, then add the unflavored powder to the other foods I eat. Any other strategies? I'm not craving food, but I would like to eat. I just do not want to go back to old habits! I'm determined to use this new tool I have correctly, to lose all the excess weight, and not to regain. But I'm feeling a little panicked at the moment.

My plan has me drinking a protein shake still between meals (I'm on pureed). I've been doing a premier protein+1/2 banana+PB2+ice in the nutribullet for breakfast. I drink it over the course of a few hours. Then depending on what else I'm having over the course of the day I will sometimes do a second premier spread out throughout the day to make sure I'm getting to 60g.

It's definitely way more stressful/challenging to track and figure out when it's not as simple as "yep, had my two shakes today"!

On 08/23/2018 at 07:46, mercmerc said:

FRIENDS!!! I lost 5 pounds in 2 days!!!

Yay!!!! I’m hoping my stall is over soon

Just now, BadWolf523 said:

3 hours ago, mercmerc said:

FRIENDS!!! I lost 5 pounds in 2 days!!!

Yay!!!! I’m hoping my stall is over soon

I have been in a stall since 8/15 Finally, today, I was down 1 1/2 lbs. I'll take it!

Thanks everyone!!!

1 hour ago, sleevedllama said:

I've entered the soft foods stage and suddenly I'm feeling paralyzed. I cannot figure out how I can possibly get the amount of Protein and drink the amount of Water (the only two things I'm supposed to be tracking) through tiny amounts of food, while also being told not to eat throughout the day. For example, an egg has about 6-7g of protein -- and I have been able to eat only about 3/4-1 of a scrambled egg at a time. I'm supposed to be getting 21-30g of protein per meal -- but I can't eat 3 eggs. I also don't think I can bring myself to eat pureed meat. I realize that at some point I'm going to be able to eat larger amounts of food, but I am just trying to stick to the simple rules here and I can't wrap my brain around this. So my strategy today is to carry unflavored Protein Powder wherever I go and stick to my Protein Shake for Breakfast & Snacks, then add the unflavored powder to the other foods I eat. Any other strategies? I'm not craving food, but I would like to eat. I just do not want to go back to old habits! I'm determined to use this new tool I have correctly, to lose all the excess weight, and not to regain. But I'm feeling a little panicked at the moment.

Adding protein to anything I am eating or drinking is a lifesaver. It not only helps you reach your goals, it also takes the worry and stress off of it because it will just become a habit. I add the powder to most everything, even things that already contain protein. Add it to yogurt, soup, jello, etc.

My pureed diet is supposed to start the same day I go back to work. That is just too much stress for me to handle. So I'm going to start introducing small amounts of pureed food over the next few days and see how that goes. I'd like to go back to work completely confident about what I'm eating and the schedule I'm on.

So for you all - What are the first pureed foods you had?

08/23/2018 10:50 AM, Ylime said:

My pureed diet is supposed to start the same day I go back to work. That is just too much stress for me to handle. So I'm going to start introducing small amounts of pureed food over the next few days and see how that goes. I'd like to go back to work completely confident about what I'm eating and the schedule I'm on.

So for you all - What are the first pureed foods you had?

I made ricotta bake and fat free refried Beans with thin salsa and low fat cheese melted on top! Yum!

I also made thicker Protein Drink by adding banana, PB2, and ice in blender with my premier.

I too have had difficulty getting in enough protein and water in the purée stage. This is what my dietician told me to do.:

Add cottage cheese to scrambled eggs while cooking

add protein powder to soups

stick to ground turkey and chicken at first for meats (more easily tolerable)

Add cottage cheese to chili

Add protein water to all regular water

also I have added protein ice cream and use silk protein nut milk in the mix. (The world according to egg face recipe).

as for the water, my Dr changed my wait times for drinking. It’s still tough

Just a side note, protein ice cream (world according to egg face recipe) made with silk protein nut milk, chocolate protein powder with PB2 added has 32 grams of protein. It’s yummy and worth my ice cream maker purchase!

on top of that when I’m low on protein my hubby says “you better eat your ice cream”! I never in all my life thought that my husband would say these words to me. I nearly passed out the first time!!!!

I have heard of people adding powdered milk to glasses of milk, shakes, etc. It doubles the protein in milk.

Hey!! Ya'll so i'm now on the soft food stage yay!! And I got cleared to head to the gym and do anything that doesn't hurt!! Haha yay

On 08/23/2018 at 17:04, mercmerc said:

Hey!! Ya'll so i'm now on the soft food stage yay!! And I got cleared to head to the gym and do anything that doesn't hurt!! Haha yay

Congrats!

I had my surgery on 8/21. The gas is worse than the incision pain. I’m home now and litterally just forcing the farts and it helps... walking around and trying to get my fluids in. Was supposed to start on my vits today but will have to start tomorrow because I forgot them. Oh well. Hopefully I’ll lose some weight this week I’m up a pound from surgery day... ?