Newly switched diet notes and ideas

[Cookie822]

My surgeon said clear liquids for two weeks, progressing to thick liquids for weeks 3-4. Weeks 5-6 is soft foods.

I just completed week three with food that is mashed, pureed and extremely soft. All has gone down well, except for that one-bite-too-many which is indeed uncomfortable. It is my belief that my stomach has healed very well because of the prescribed Nexium medication, ideal for healing ulcers. I will continue the Nexium until Feb. 15th (end of week 6).

I generally eat: a well beaten softly scrambled or poached egg with/without melted cheese.

3 tablespoons cottage cheese

Tuna finely flaked mixed with mayo and minced dill relish

I have snacked on a grape tomato or seedless grape, finely chewed (Portion: JUST ONE)

Protein shakes mixed with Optimum Nutrition Protein Powder, 3/4 cup 2% milk, well blended and COLD

On days where my Protein is short of 60g, I drink 1-2 ounces of liquid protein, (15g/ounce-not inexpensive but worth it).

Vitamin regime:

ADEK three times a day (mealtime)
Calcium Citrate 500mg 3 times a day (mealtime)
One tablet One-A-Day Women's MultiVitamin (bedtime)

In less than 21 days, I lost 26 lbs (from SURGERY WEIGHT) and still going.

[Mike2]

My surgeon had me on clear liquids for two weeks then progressed to pureed for two weeks, then slowly added new items after that about one per week. Now, I can pretty much eat anything I like other than breads, I just really hate bread now, its just gummy when you chew it, also I hate sweets now (very strange, very strange indeed, never in a million years would I have ever thought that I would be saying this) Life has changed significantly and I am loving it so far, there have been a few bumps but nothing major. If you are contemplating the DS just be ready for a LOT of change, it takes some getting used to but once you have things start getting better very quickly.

[Bridg]

Well, I am five weeks out now. I have lost (as of this morning) 33 pounds. None of my pants fit anymore.

That's the good part. The not so good part is that I have been suffering from quite a bit of nausea during the last two weeks, making it difficult to get in enough fluid every day. Also, I tend to eat like a snake: one day I'll be able to eat enough to get in all of my protein and fluid, then I spend the next two to three days barely eating at all while I'm processing it. I think this uneven eating pattern is causing me to be more tired than I was the first three weeks. I have also developed restless sleeping habits (unusual for me), probably due in part to gastric discomfort and in part to heavy ketosis which I've read can cause insomnia in some people.

Dairy and I don't play well together right now - lots of extremely unpleasant gas and foul stools. I have medicine for it, but it's easier just to avoid it. Chicken is not my friend either, unless it is finely minced into a creamy soup. When people say their tastes change after DS, they aren't kidding: now I love grilled fish, baked potatoes go down well (well mashed) and one of my favorite beverages is ice cold water with slices of cucumber and lemon floated in it. I can't stand sweets, a major food group pre-surgery. Alcohol in general is a bad idea: I had one sip of a cocktail the other day and was buzzing for 20 minutes. Yikes!

My biggest problem is still eating too fast. That was my biggest problem pre-surgery, and it still is. Behavior modification is a part of this process - surgery doesn't fix everything!

I'll keep posting as time goes on for the first three or four months anyway. I'm hoping by that time that most of my issues will have resolved. Even with the mild difficulties I've had, I would do this surgery again tomorrow. My knee, ankle and hip pain are gone, I can pick my kids up and play tag with them again, and I'm starting to feel more like a woman and less like a lump again. All very good things!!

[Bridg]

I hit the two month mark last week. I've lost 52 pounds total. I have no problems getting in all my fluids, but I'm still plagued by nausea that is bothersome enough to interfere with getting enough protein day to day. I also have to watch how I take my supplements so they don't upset my stomach.

I'm a little sad about this. I've gone from having an iron stomach that could stand anything to having a stomach so sensitive that I gag and throw up at the least little things. Even coughing too hard can bring it on. Spicy food is totally out of the question. I'm happiest eating broccoli and cheese soup, mashed potatoes, finely chopped grilled chicken (dark meat preferred), Malt O Meal, grilled fish and vegetables. Steak is also good; hamburger makes me gag. I can't stand fast food now - my stomach rolls at the mere smell of french fries. Most processed food tastes funny to me now. I much prefer to prepare my own food or eat in a decent restaurant, as long as the food is not deep fried.

I'm still lactose intolerant. It's not a big deal to me. I just take Lactaid wen I eat or drink dairy and I do just fine with it.

The problems I had with gas have largely gone away. I have one or two BMs most days (morning and sometimes evening). I'm grateful the gas has settled down - it was really gross for awhile.

I have noticed that my skin is much drier than it used to be, probably because I'm absorbing so little fat. The fact that I live in the frozen tundra also probably has something to do with it. I've lost some hair, but I had really thick hair to begin with, so it isn't noticeable. If anything, my hair is easier to style now because it isn't so heavy.

Two months and 52 pounds down. 60 more pounds to go!

[Kimberly123]

Originally Posted by PattyL

And I had no restrictions at all. My first meal was hamburger, salsa, and a slice of cheese melted on top.

I had no restrictions either - I recall eating shrimp a few days out - I also remember having to walk around the hotel to get rid of that OH MY GOG I AM GOING TO BURST I"M SO FULL! feeling. My sister threw up if she was even a little full (I never did). I ate dark chicken meat etc.

Nothing tatsted the way it should have. The only fluids I could tolerate were one or two gatorade flavours and they had to be slushy/ice cold.

k.

[new me]

Originally Posted by Bridg

I hit the two month mark last week. I've lost 52 pounds total. I have no problems getting in all my fluids, but I'm still plagued by nausea that is bothersome enough to interfere with getting enough protein day to day. I also have to watch how I take my supplements so they don't upset my stomach.

I'm a little sad about this. I've gone from having an iron stomach that could stand anything to having a stomach so sensitive that I gag and throw up at the least little things. Even coughing too hard can bring it on. Spicy food is totally out of the question. I'm happiest eating broccoli and cheese soup, mashed potatoes, finely chopped grilled chicken (dark meat preferred), Malt O Meal, grilled fish and vegetables. Steak is also good; hamburger makes me gag. I can't stand fast food now - my stomach rolls at the mere smell of french fries. Most processed food tastes funny to me now. I much prefer to prepare my own food or eat in a decent restaurant, as long as the food is not deep fried.

I'm still lactose intolerant. It's not a big deal to me. I just take Lactaid wen I eat or drink dairy and I do just fine with it.

The problems I had with gas have largely gone away. I have one or two BMs most days (morning and sometimes evening). I'm grateful the gas has settled down - it was really gross for awhile.

I have noticed that my skin is much drier than it used to be, probably because I'm absorbing so little fat. The fact that I live in the frozen tundra also probably has something to do with it. I've lost some hair, but I had really thick hair to begin with, so it isn't noticeable. If anything, my hair is easier to style now because it isn't so heavy.

Two months and 52 pounds down. 60 more pounds to go!

Hi Bridg
I am thrilled you managed to control the gas.
I did not do the DS yet and am schedueld for the 24th of this month, but teh gas and bad smell is me largest fear. Please tell me what you did

Thanks

new me