Food

I want to be as little drain on friends as possible. I know I will make some good healthy soups to freeze but I was wondering what people ate especially that first week so I can be prepared ahead of time and I seem to be just totally drawing a blank on what would be good to keep at hand. I know water and juices. I'm thinking those bags of snap peas would be good but what else? I'm not a pudding nut and I hate jello. Applesauce? Yogurt? I want to really eat perfectly to help with healing.

I bought those lean cuisine and healthy choice dinners and kept them in the freezer. Also, drink lots of cranberry juice to help keep the bladder flushed to prevent infection. Eat lots of lean protein to aid in healing, such as chicken and fish. I also enjoy eating those Mott's flavored applesauces, such as blueberry applesauce...mmmm. Yogurt is good too, helps keep the good bacteria intact in your intestines. For snacks nibble on whole wheat crackers.

Hope these ideas helps. Good luck to you

Lots of water, juice... Foods should be easy on the digestion, so those little fruit cups and applesauce are great.

I wasn't prepared for my taste buds to be slightly altered post-op, though. What I "thought" I'd like turned my stomach, and what actually appealed to me was peanut butter toast with strawberry jam. I had it at least once a day in the first weeks post-op.

There are lots of frozen meals out there (like the other sister said). You can also get frozen mashed potatoes, and they are pretty good. Maybe stick with more bland varieties (avoid the Mexican and spicy Italian stuff) and put in the spices yourself if you feel up to it.... Baby carrots keep well and are a good, crunchy snack.

Hope this helps.

I didn't have a lot of help afterwards around meal time - I stocked up on "soft food" because I thought I'd need it. I was hungry like a wolf for real food as soon as I got home.
Beforehand I had prepared a lot in advance so I wouldn't have to stand and chop - sliced up peppers, veggies like zucchini, broccoli, etc, meat and chicken into strips, then could just toss into a frypan and make a wrap or with meat a stir fry.
I also made sure I had a few pots and pans left on top of the stove for easier access - no bending or reaching.
I did find that eggs were a no-no for me, baaad gas. Oh, whatever you do - DO NOT eat taco's or anything spicy right away - it is not a pretty sight

Keep some high fiber foods handy in case you have any constipation from pain meds. Granola bars and or cereal, Raisin bran, apples are all good high fiber foods and raspberries too. Bake or buy and freeze some bran muffins and enjoy one with your breakfast. Best of luck to you!

veggies and fibre and lots of it,in my case!!!i ate dried prunes by the bucketfull to help me go to the loo!!!fresh pinnaple is good for healing also.its thought to help the swelling go down.you can buy bromeline capsules..thats whats found in pinnaples to help swelling.ill try anything that helps!!no matter what you prepare for your return,you will change your mind from min to min to what you fancy.im a health food junky but i still treated myself to a bit of what i really fancied.and you will want to do that too in between!