Hi there....

I am having my surgery on August 31st, and I am in the process of readying my kitchen and pantry for the upcoming changes in my life. Any ideas?

I wouldn't stock up TOO much; my tastes have really changed since I had surgery.

Having said that, I did buy chicken broth, Jello, baby food (only fruit!), apple sauce, pre-made mashed potatoes, Cream of Wheat, and cottage cheese for my liquid and mushy stages. Check on the mashed potatoes, though; I know that some docs don't want their patients to have potatoes. I limited myself to one mashed potato meal a day. If you like sweet potatoes, you can sub those for mashed :cool:

I really liked the cottage cheese mixed with Pasta sauce and nuked for 10-15 seconds. Mashed potatoes mixed with pureed green chili and topped with a little low-fat cheddar are heaven.

I was really anxious to eat things that weren't sweet. I was *so* sick of Protein shakes!

Check on the mashed potatoes, though; I know that some docs don't want their patients to have potatoes. I limited myself to one mashed potato meal a day.

Wow. That's one horrible partial paragraph I wrote! Hope it makes sense :cool:

Edited August 9, 200916 yr by thebandedgirl
I need more sleep.

For the first two weeks after of liquids (which I am currently on) I would say the best things to have are soup like split pea, cream of potato, and bean with bacon.. but dont forget the mesh strainer!.. You cant have the beans, potatoes, or peas in it yet. Just the broth from these soups have been soothing for me right now. I am SO wanting any food I can chew! I also have found that the chewable centrum vitamins are helping me with my energy too! And Crystal light has been my life saver for getting fluids going. I forgot how good that stuff tastes! They have the BEST iced tea now. I was doing the protein powder drink a little, but its been getting to me, so I am taking a little break from that. Its good to have on hand though for streangth. You will probably be weak from all this for a little while. I am on day 5 and I am able to go without a nap in the middle of the day for the first time. Good luck getting your "stash". Its nice to have it ALL ready when you get home. Good luck!:cool:

Don't buy a bunch of soups and broths unless they are something you would normally use anyway because once you're past the liquids stage you won't be eating them often.

More important for me was to get rid of stuff...popcorn, Pasta, rice, chips, Cookies, candy, ice cream, crackers, etc.

While I can have rice and pasta (well cooked) and in fact CAN eat any of that stuff; I prefer it be a special purchase and treat, not just "stock" if that makes sense.

After the first week or so odds are you'll be able to go to the grocer's just fine, so buy what you want/need for week 1 and or week 2, then take it from there!

And remember...no one "needs" cookies etc so if you have family it won't hurt them to do without for a while.

I felt great from the start and you may too (it does vary) so you don't need a lot of "invalid" food...just stuff to get you through the post op Initial diet, and feed your family without you going postal on them! :cool:

I would definitely recommend a Magic Bullet or some variation of one. It came in handy during thicker liquids stage and I'm still using it during mushies stage.

I also got a variety pack of tea (hot). I found that if I was feeling a little hungry, a cup of hot tea with Splenda did the trick.

I also got a couple of packages of Miso soup (strain out the seaweed and tofu). I am not a fan of chicken or beef broth and found that this really worked for me.

Also if you don't already buy the little "to-go" packettes of Crystal Light - I would load up on those. I'm not a fan of plain ole Water and they have been life savers, especially the Peach Tea.

Good luck!!

Rebecca,

I do agree, your tastes do change along with your wants. I stocked up wayyyy to much on jellos, puddings,soft soups,ect.

Another thing you can do during the soft stage is egg salad, you can make it as thin as you want, and it is WONDERFUL protein.

As I started to get restriction, I would drink hot tea or coffie to relax it in the mornings. sometimes broth.

Like someone stated earlier,,, get rid of the no-no's. so they dont tempt you.

Good luck

Lois

all I have to say about the above is YUK! lol

I have my insurance approval and all my appointments scheduled so I'm hoping to have my surgery in September. I can't wait!

As far as diet I was thinking alot of Protein shakes.. Meal Replacement type. I was on a full liquid diet for 6 months last year to try and loose weight and keep it off.. no success but I'm prepared for not being able to eat food for a few weeks/months if needed.

I stocked up on the 1 cup size of containers -- I have maybe 2 dozen of them! some with lids that screw on to keep things like soup really secure and some with the basic push down plastic lid. I actually think the ones with the screw on lids (Zip-lok) are maybe 2 cup and I usually use these for soup as I can have more than 1 cup of soup.

I cook things up on the weekend or when I come home from the grocery, I divide things into my 1 cup containers and freeze them. They make easy take to work lunch things.