Lobster, Chateaubriand, Beef Wellington.....OY!! - ThinnerTimes

cedesigns · 02-08-2005, 12:04 PM

Well I got back from my cruise Monday and all I can say is......... I wanna go back! Woah, what fun! But what an experiment for GBS post ops! The food was 24-7 non stop. It was like being at the Hyatt Regency Mothers Day buffet,The Four Seasons for dinner, and California Pizza Kitchen all day, every day! If I had of gone on this cruise before my surgery I am sure I would have gained 20lbs. Every meal was an event. Dinners were the best, all crystal-silver-linen and waiters to take care of your every whim. Every meal was a full 4 courses starting with 5 choices of appetizers, Salad course, Entre' and then 5 choices of deserts. We are talking escargot, seafood newburgs, seafood thermidores, prime rib, lobster, chateubriand, filet mignon, Beef wellington, every kind of fish in the sea, lamb, pork, everything, it was unbelievable. The plate presentations were like food art, even the tiniest of vegies were carved and presented with color and sauces. Deserts were cherries jubiliee (flaming!), hot single souffle's, cakes, pastries, you name it. If you've ever been to a 4 star restraunt and had an incredible meal, it was on the menu! Oh did I mention, room service?? Anything you wanted in your room, 24 hours a day! Now the big question...........how did I do?? Well the first thing to know is your tummy won't let you eat whatever you want, so seeing-wanting-eating everything is not even an option. I went through a number of scenarios that I have heard others on this list post about. The big one was the "eating out" syndrome. You are sitting there with a group of people and you find yourself eating at the pace everyone else is. Your mind is not on your tummy, it is on the social thing, and you get caught up in that. First they serve the rolls and butter and you are chatting with someone to your right, and before you know it you have had a few bites of bread. Then the soup comes and you have a few spoonfuls. Then a few bites of salad, and then YEEEEEWOUCH!!! Your tummy is full! and you are not even halfway through the meal. Everyone else is eating and you are over the top. That happened a few times, once I managed to stay at the table and sweat my way through the rest of the courses, the other time I had to get up and leave. One time I ate meat (prime rib) without mixing in something moist, and the meat gave me a terrible stomache ache. One time I had a margueurita, that made my stomache very sour and eventually that hurt too. It's all trial and error for sure. I did the best when I paid attention to what I was eating, ate slowly, and only at tiny tiny portions. So, what we have all been taught works! What we do everyday at home translates anywhere. You just have to pay attention and eat slow, chew chew chew, and keep the portions down to 1/4-1/2 cup total. I ate a lot of things I would never attempt at home (mostly meat, vegies and fruits, no sweets!) but did just fine with them as long as I kept the above rules in mind. I did not imbibe in the deserts, although I did have some cheesecake and I paid for that!, but I did try a lot of stuff. I tried carbhohydrates, pastas, potatotes, breads, in the tiniest of proportions (maybe 1-2 teaspoons) and did OK, I didn't eat any rice though, I was really nervous about that. We ate about every 4 hours or so, either a nibble or a whole meal. I did not drink any sodas, sugary drinks/juices, or anything bubbly. I stuck to water, tea, and an occassional coffee. Did I ever throw up?.....once, the amount I ate far exceeded my tummy's capacity, so I paid for that. Did I have to run to the room with a tummy ache and curl up on the bed in a fetal position? yup! once! So it wasnt all good, but it was pretty darn close. I had a ball, I learned a lot, I tried a lot, and I had a great, great time. So here I am, one week later still alive

and I stayed at the same weight. I didnt lose, but I didnt gain, and that is pretty remarkable when you consider how much food was there! So cruises are definately doable (after 8wks post op of course!). Everyone is different of course, so maybe everyone couldnt tolerate what I could, but if you wanna try it, go for it! Glad to be back with you guys though. I am looking forward to meeting some of you in the February meeting~

Carol 9wks post op / laproscopic GBS
267/221/135

bridgetgirl · 02-08-2005, 12:14 PM

Thaks for shariing, gave me a chuckle. I remember the days of buffet..... we just have to remeber to pae ourselves and not to indulge in the garbage befoer we get the meal... easier said than done sometimes. Sounds like you did wonderful, sounds like a dream. Im glad you had balst! Since your uptake on calories was relly high that week, I bet this week you lose 15 pounds! Rock and roll sister!

Red Feather · 02-08-2005, 12:15 PM

ohhh that cut right to the jealousy bone! Glad you had such a wonderful time - pictures?

lealphachienne · 02-08-2005, 12:17 PM

Eating is a whole new experience. Now you have experience with dumping and overeating. You are becoming a seasoned bypass eater

Jeanie · 02-08-2005, 12:40 PM

I'm glad to hear that you had a great time. I've always wanted to go on a cruise, and now thanks to your post I think I will look more into it. Maybe just a three day thing. I don't know if I could take more than that. I can start off slow then work my way up......

Zanners · 02-08-2005, 12:52 PM

Carol:
I am 4 yrs out and I do much the same thing daily...

I can eat a lot more now...unfortunately....about a cup. so I try to choose well what's in that cup.

Alcohol is very dangerous however.

..You can get messed up on much less than before and it can lead to dangerous places....always use common sense.

I was recently hospitalized for a small bowel obstruction

which resolved itself. NOT sure yet what caused it. The key per Kelly at Dr. C's , is still to keep hydrated. Even at this stage. I need to watch out for orange skin membranes,etc. , chew carefully and not pack it in.

There may be something going on with me completely unrelated to the GP so I suggest to just listen to your body....use good eating habits as you get further out so as not to gain weight back...and have fun! Sounds like you did.

Suzanne

watergirl · 02-08-2005, 01:29 PM

I'm so glad to hear that you had a wonderful time. You should be so proud of yourself! Enough about the eating! How was the weather, ports of call, water temp., etc. LOL

Welcome back!

cedesigns · 02-08-2005, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watergirl

How was the weather, ports of call, water temp., etc. LOL Welcome back!

Aaahhhhh~ the water was like faceted blue topaz and turquoise cabachons. Warm and beautiful. We were in the Carribean ocean, Yucatan penninsula, Progresso, Cozumel and Belize. The weather was pretty gray and yucky when we left from Texas, but by the time we got out to sea one day it was like.......well........it was like the Carribean! LOL. It was gorgeous. I missed a lot of the fun stuff (swimming, snorkeling, horse back riding, architectural ruins) because I did not feel physically up to it yet. Also because I am NOT ready for a bathing suit. I did toy with the idea of swimming in a t-shirt and shorts, but it just wouldnt be the same. Sooooooooooooo I will wait for about a year! Or however long it takes to lose 80 or 90lbs. It's all good! Glad to be back, nothing like good old southern California, but the water here cannot compare to the Carribean!

Carol 9wks post op/ laproscopic GBS
267/221/135

JohnsWife4Life · 02-08-2005, 05:33 PM

Awwe Carol, I spent two years in Panama while I was in the Army, I took 90 minute cruises to an island called Taboga Island, the water was turquoise and the sand was white. The ship was a triple decker, and I guess it would hold 200 people, no sleepers, just chairs, but it was awesome nontheless. Welcome home. You were brave, I don't think I was trying too many new things at nine weeks post op. you should not be eating bread, rice, or corn at this stage of your recovery. Nor alcohol. Hate to put a damper on your spirits, but thats playing too risky.

Take care,

Traci

triciaknox · 02-09-2005, 06:32 AM

Carol,

So glad you had a great time. I was thinking of you just the other day and wondering how the trip went, now I know and can't wait till I can take a cruise. Sounds like such fun!!