Learned a Valuable Lesson Today

**tuwhada** · 07-10-2011 08:16 AM

I understand you wanna trust your dr but you also need to trust your body. If things hurt it to eat it don't force it. There are plenty of other options that are tasty, high in protein, healthy and soft/mushie to help your healing stomach. Cheese is a great one, babybel, laughing cow cheese, string cheese. You can do tuna salad with a small amount of light mayo. THere is a post on here in the food section about mushies and soft food suggestions, check it out. You just need to go SLOW one food at a time and only have a few bites at first.
I agree living on protein shakes is not the way to go. I have not touched a protein shake since my surgery my stomach doesn't tolerate them anymore. I have found alternative foods to help with the protein. And like I said I am almost 3 months out and I would say in the past month I feel back to "normal" Eataing for us will never ever be normal. THats why we did this. If we all went back to the way we normally ate even if it is in smaller quantites it isn't really making a change and that is what needs to be done. I am also not one for denying myself my favorite foods but I do them far less often then I used to. My whole way of thinking about food and meals is very different and that is what this surgery is all about. It is to give you the tool to make the change and to get you started.
I struggle alot with getting my protein in b/c I am not a fan of meat and I don't eat any of those recommended high protein foods like yogurt and cottage cheese etc, so if you want some tips on how I get my protein in, Ill gladly help I have found various websites that hve been super helpful.

Good luck,
Christina

**HappyMe** · 07-10-2011 09:28 AM

No forcing foods here Christina. I had 1 oz and stopped when it didn't feel right. Thanks for your suggestions.

**whtarrant** · 07-10-2011 12:16 PM

I still add protein shakes. I really like them in the a.m. replacing breakfast, unless I am at work an the guys at the station are making breakfast, then it is a small amount of scrammbled eggs. The dietician showed me my goal should be eventually to get to 3 well balanced meals for all the protein intake, but until that time, a couple years down the road, it is good to add some extra protein shakes in to make sure you accomplish the 80g protein a day. I am now averaging 3 lbs a week and feel wonderful. I have improved my choices, but will not live my life on a mushie diet. It has it's place and served me well during the healing process, but I am so happy now that I can have "real", "healthy" food. Oh and thank God for the summer and fresh veggies and fruit!

**HappyMe** · 07-10-2011 12:36 PM

This is really good to hear too Bill. I was at Costco today and picked up their Premier shakes again. I've found a few I can tolerate, but those I really LIKE and I get 30 g of protein with 110 or so calories. I'll make that a regular AM drink and I'll get to my protein for sure! I also found greek yogurt frozen bars- 6 grams of protein, low sugar- a good new find

I picked up some raspberries and blueberries today too. You're right- fresh fruits and veggies are wonderful

Have a great day- pretty Michigan weather we're having!

**mom2dms** · 07-10-2011 05:46 PM

Hiccups! That's what I get when I've eaten too much or too quickly.
I get my protein through food and a shake. I use Protein Twist jelly candies as a quick snack and shot of protein. Love the watermelon and the mixed berry. I eat Greek Yogurt for lunch almost daily, or tuna. You will be able to get there soon...just keep working at it.

**GoofySpice** · 07-10-2011 07:12 PM

geez knowing that your surgeon is personally three months post-op and still clears people only 10 days post-op for food, based on my own experience- scares me. Anyhow, I am not going to split hairs with you. The only thing I can say is that people heal differently and at different speeds. It is not uncommon to have a new stomach still be swollen 10 days out. I personally was never concerned with getting protein in at all, my concern was H2O. My body was/is fully prepared for a famine... well infact overly prepared for a famine, a drought is a whole other ballgame.
Just go slow, be patient, in time everything will be okay.