Travel soon after surgery - ThinnerTimes

Mavisavis · 09-02-2005, 04:46 AM

Ok folks, I need some info/advice. My boyfriend won airline tickets and wants to take me to LA. My surgery is Sep 7 and due to both our schedules, the best time for us to go is Sep 25th. I'm pretty sure I'll be ok physically. That's close to 3 weeks post op. So first question......am I right that I should be feeling ok? Second question..........what in the world can I eat when we'll be out doing things a lot and I'm on puree? Did anyone ask servers to strain soup? Are mashed potaoes the only thing I can get from a menu? I know I can take along some sugar free/low sugar things like pudding, applesauce, yogurt. Do you guys think this can be done? I'm so excited about going! Third question.........were most of you able to enjoy sex that soon? Did I mention I REALLY want to go to California?!

lealphachienne · 09-02-2005, 05:47 AM

At three weeks, you should be able to tolerate soft foods. When you chew well, it turns to puree in your mouth. When I was 3 weeks out, I went to the fair all day long and had a little bit of nachos, a bite of hotdog, and lots of water. The following week, I went to see my mother in AZ. She loves to cook. I was able to advance to regular by then. I recall somehwere that someone went on a cruise pretty early post op.

Soup is a safe bet. No, you don't ask the servers to strain your food. You slurp out what you need and leave the unused pieces behind. You nibble here and there. You can have cooked veggies (mash it with your fork if you must). Fish is easy to digest and is much softer than any other meat. Beans are good too and provide protein.

Hmm, sex, I think it was only 2 weeks post-op.....just don't do anything that you need to use your abdominal muscles for

Mavisavis · 09-02-2005, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lealphachienne

At three weeks, you should be able to tolerate soft foods. When you chew well, it turns to puree in your mouth. When I was 3 weeks out, I went to the fair all day long and had a little bit of nachos, a bite of hotdog, and lots of water. The following week, I went to see my mother in AZ. She loves to cook. I was able to advance to regular by then. I recall somehwere that someone went on a cruise pretty early post op.

Soup is a safe bet. No, you don't ask the servers to strain your food. You slurp out what you need and leave the unused pieces behind. You nibble here and there. You can have cooked veggies (mash it with your fork if you must). Fish is easy to digest and is much softer than any other meat. Beans are good too and provide protein.

Hmm, sex, I think it was only 2 weeks post-op.....just don't do anything that you need to use your abdominal muscles for

Thanks Marie...

My Dr says no pieces of food for 28 days post-op. I was worried about following to the T. They told us to strain soup to avoid accidentally getting little pieces of food. The good thing is that I do love soups. Maybe I can buy a straining spoon to carry around.....hmmmmm, do they make such a thing? Sex without using abdominals......does that exist?

Mavisavis · 09-02-2005, 06:10 AM

Now I have another worry. I was reading something about flying and blood clots.......is that too soon to fly? I'll get up and walk during the flight, since it will be kinda lengthy.

lealphachienne · 09-02-2005, 06:17 AM

Pureed just mean it's food in very tiny pieces......I have a mini strainer that's the size of a tablespoon. Got it at a local discount store.

It does vary quite widely in what surgeons think is the appropriate diet. Dr. Callery and Potts here have done over 2000 procedures in the past 15 years. I trust their judgement on what we can have. They are much more realistic and lay down general guidelines. I progressed rapidly from clear liquids to regular within a few weeks. I also chewed very well early on. Some people took months to get to regular. Depends on your own tolerance.

Follow your doctor's recommendations to the best of your ability.

Jtcox88 · 09-02-2005, 07:49 AM

What about the Campbells soup in the cup? Cup at Hand or something like that? Aren't they mostly liquid that you can drink anyway? Just throw a couple of those in your bag and go!

Have fun!!!

Mavisavis · 09-02-2005, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jtcox88

What about the Campbells soup in the cup? Cup at Hand or something like that? Aren't they mostly liquid that you can drink anyway? Just throw a couple of those in your bag and go!

Have fun!!!

Thanks Terrah..

I know they have tomato, maybe that have another one without pieces. Then again, I could probably get cream soups and take them in a thermos to eat along the way. I will also take pre-mixed supplements in a cooler and maybe some unflavored protein powder for restaurant soups or mashed potatoes. Somehow, I'll figure it out. I bet a trip to CA will make the pureed phase go faster........I'll have lots of things to do. I can't wait.........maybe it'll even take a little of the focus off my surgery.

lealphachienne · 09-02-2005, 08:07 AM

Be very aware of canned or prepacked soup. They can contain a ton of sugar, not to mention sodium. I got sooo sick on tomato soup. Plus, your taste buds will change and what you liked/tolerated before may make you feel like you're going to die. Try a few at home first.

Relax a little about eating. Getting yourself all worked up will give you a stomach ache and then you really can't eat anything. It's really not as big of a deal as you think it is. Take it one meal at a time.

As for clots, just keep moving around on the plane. Even when seated, you can move your legs and shift around to prevent clots.

pambragg · 09-02-2005, 08:41 AM

Amen on avoiding the canned soups, they are loaded with sodium, sugar and unnecessary fats and carbs. Cottage cheese is good and available at most restaurants.

Mavisavis · 09-02-2005, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lealphachienne

Be very aware of canned or prepacked soup. They can contain a ton of sugar, not to mention sodium. I got sooo sick on tomato soup. Plus, your taste buds will change and what you liked/tolerated before may make you feel like you're going to die. Try a few at home first.

Relax a little about eating. Getting yourself all worked up will give you a stomach ache and then you really can't eat anything. It's really not as big of a deal as you think it is. Take it one meal at a time.

As for clots, just keep moving around on the plane. Even when seated, you can move your legs and shift around to prevent clots.

Thanks Marie.....I'm gonna try to relax. I have almost 3 weeks to eat before I have to figure out what I can eat on the trip. I'll just breathe deep and tell myself it'll work out. I'll definitely keep moving on the plane. I will beware of the soups......I do pretty good reading labels. Thanks for the reassurance that my trip can still happen.