[natasha]

Hello everyone, I'm 4 weeks and 3 days after the surgery. This past tuesday I was supposed to start eating soft foods (cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, tuna, chicken). I haven't started yet. I tried some eggs with skim milk and that just didn't taste right to me and that was on Tuesday. Since then I had a bite of banana and that's all for the soft foods. I don't know if it's mental or what but I have been doing so well after the surgery that maybe I'm afraid that if I start eating I will stop loosing weight. I do my protein shakes and liquid all right. I'm also scared of possibly eating too much or too fast. Did anyone go through this? I know I have to start eating-but don't really know why it's so hard for me to start.

p.s. This site has been such a blessing for me. I read it everyday-like a Bible...lol.Thank you!

[fr1endly2]

ITS normal post op to become a very picky eater but you have to just try and find things that might appeal to you.
FOR me it was noodless lasagna w/ lowfat ricotta, lofat mozzerella and splash of sauce...i loved that.
eggs can be a difficult item
I also enjoyed chicken salad very much.
JUST keep trying its important that the pouch
learns how to break down foods. YOUR not eating right now for hunger your eating more for survival!

[Kenyar]

YES. We all go thru this. Its VERY scary to eat for the first time. I know I was TERRIFIED, and that was only a few weeks ago for me lol! You have to try though. Look at it this way, at least you will know what will make you sick, or how fast/ slow you can tolerate eating. RIght now there is a world of unknown which is whats making you hesitant. The truth is, you body will let you know. Try some pudding, or some tuna salad or chicken salad. I had PROBLEMS with the egg and the chicken at first so I personally would not recommend those to start with but try very little, take it VERY slow, and listen to your pouch.


Thats reminds me......which came first the chicken or the egg! LOL! Sorry I'm being silly this early in the morning.

[losit]

Natasha, perfectly normal and ok to feel like you are. If you don't feel like eating, then don't. Just try to follow your docs recommendations of protein intake. You can get this from beans, eggs, cottage chees, tuna...keep trying alittle bit until something sits well. For me, it was beans, string cheese or mashed potatoes and soups. And sometimes it was only a couple of bites, and that was it.. and that is ok. It will keep you content and you will learn what your pouch likes and dislikes. Just remember to chew chew chew if you try chicken or lunch meats. For me, meats didn't set well until about 6 months out, and sometimes still sit heavy on my chest.

My doc just tells me, if you aren't hungry then don't eat. Don't worry your appetite will come back soon enough, and don't worry, eating such a little amount like we can only do...you will not gain it back. That is our mind playing tricks on us, cause we are so used to the old yo yo dieting routine. Good Luck, Jody

[mike]

Starting to eat the soft foods huh. I remember when I could start that. It was like someone gave me the biggest christmas present I could ever want. lol I remember also, not even being able to eat one egg at a meal. That was sooooooooo bizarre. As the girls have said. It is very very normal for you to have those feelings. I am betting you, like so many others, are just afraid to start eating because of that fear of gaining weight. I think we all had those feelings early out. VERY NOMRMAL. Just look at it this way Natasha.....the amount of food that you are putting in now, vs. the amount that you used to be able to pack away is like night and day. A big ol' difference for sure. It took me a log time after I could eat a normal diet to even touch a peice of fruit looking at the carbs on the frozen package. I figured high carbs, NO WAY. I realized after a very long time of avoiding those types of foods, that they are good for you, and your body does need a certain amount of them. Besides, some of those kinds of fruits, such as blackberries and strawberries are high in fiber to. I feel now, coming to that acceptance, I am alot more content with my diet. The only thing I stay clear of to this day is pasta mainly, but limit my potato intake as well. Certain things don't stick with you after you realize the truth about them, such as eating certain fruits like berries are actually needed by you, and are very healthy for you. Certain things do.. like making better food choices in yur diet. I love planning menus of any kind these days, to actually see things like tons of veggies going into my daily plan. HECK, before veggies were not in my vocabulary. In the end, Natasha, you are a very normal gal with the same feelings as we all had so soon after surgery. You will make those most imprtant choices along your journey, not to mention learn alot about diet. Of course then, putting it to good use, to maintain. Hope to get to know you a bit better from your posts. Hang in there. You are doing fine. mike

[Sandra K.]

Natasha,
Don't be afraid to try different things. They say that your taste buds change after surgery. I was a big fan of eggs before surgery and I still am, but you may want to try some baked potato, mashed very well. I don't eat potatoes now at 9 months out , but you can have some at the point you're at. Don't worry about the weight not coming off, it surely will for a while because you are only giving your body small amounts. It's later on when the weight starts to slow down that you have to really watch what you eat. Be brave and try different things. Soon you will find somethings you like that taste good. I loved the ricotta cheese with low carb or reduced sugar spaghetti sauce. It was great and the cheese has protein in it. Good luck on your journey!

[rozzy345]

You are not alone, I think basicly everyone goes through this, you will learn, you may even stumble but that is all a part of learning. I know I have been very cautious but I have begun to get a little adventurous. Just listen to your pouch!

Roz

[LIS1562]

Natasha: congratulations on the surgery - hope all went well! I am 5 months out and still get a bit freaked about stretching my new stomache. I do remember being VERY (maybe overly) cautious about my soft foods. One favorite meal of mine was to take baked beans and put them in a blender and eat them with a dollop of mashed potato. I'd also eat the bean mash with cottage cheese or string cheese. Steamed and mashed cauliflower with a bit of shredded cheese was a favorite. Tuna was an easy meal, too. Really, the key for me at that stage was to (okay -- is still key) chew, chew, chew and chew some more 'til all was mush! Turkey is easy to chew to the point of mush - just remember to take small bites of everything...repeat that to yourself over and over..."small bites"! I wish you well and hope you know that the worries become fewer as you become used to the new food routine.
~Lisa

[fr1endly2]

HEY lisa...just wanted to congratulate you on the awesome weight loss
you have had already!!!
DONT you just love this new tool you been blessed with!
YOUR doing fabulous and deserve to be praised at the 113 lbs
you have lost!!!
WOW!

[Kat]

I liked cream of wheat and lf ricotta w/splenda.