It’s been a little while since I posted my original post-op update. As it turns out, building a relationship with my body and with food is a full-time gig!  I am 7 weeks out from my sleeve gastrectomy and doing pretty well.

This new lifestyle definitely has a learning curve. I am learning what my new stomach can tolerate in the way of food, what items, what textures, and what spices are going to sit ok. I basically am trying everything.  Now that I am in this stage post-op, I am doing primarily a soft food, regular diet. My goals are to get about 64 ounces of fluid and 80-90 grams of protein a day.

If you’re thinking, “that’s a lot,” you’re not alone.  It is really difficult for me to get that much liquid in because I’m sipping no more than 4 ounces at a time.  I cannot gulp liquids and still cannot tolerate straight up water yet.  I am doing Gatorade G2, Crystal Light and green tea.  I keep trying water, and there will be a time when I can drink it again.

In terms of protein, I’m still learning what are protein rich sources that don’t take up a ton of room!  I am back to drinking ready-made protein shakes.  I will try making them every now and then, but the ready-made ones are so handy on the go! They pack a pretty good punch with 30 grams of protein each!  I also use a great protein powder.  The one I’m using has 21 grams/scoop, but good Lord, the scoop is huge. When I first started trying to mix into soups and stews, I put too much.  I am learning as I go.

So much of this stage is trial and error.  So far, I know that I can eat chicken, turkey and some lean pork.  As long as these are cooked in a way that they are soft, I can usually manage it. I have had lots of soups and added broth to lots of different things!  Steamed, cooked or roasted veggies are going pretty well.  Every now and then I will run into something that is uncomfortable for a little while after I eat.

The hardest part of this part of journey has not actually been the food, though.  What an emotional ride!  In the very beginning after surgery, I was so hopeful and excited!  I was happy to do an all liquid diet just post-op because that meant I was healing. The nuance of this lasted a few short days. I drank my liquids from a tiny medicine cup, 1-2 ounces at a time.  I wasn’t hungry those first few weeks, but I noticed I still craved foods.

We were very fortunate that friends and family wanted to care for my family by bringing meals.  What a gift to all of us, including me!  I didn’t have to prepare meals for my husband and kids while I was recovering and not eating.  I was so thankful for these meals, but a lingering feeling bothered me.

At first, I could not pinpoint what the emotion was. I was not hungry.  What I discovered though, was that I was sad that I could not “receive” all of the nurturing from our people. I decided to shift my perspective and that made all the difference.

I couldn’t wait to try new-to-me foods again. Slowly, but surely.  That’s my motto!