Thread: Surgery recovery and what to eat?

On Jul 25, 4:27*pm, "Cheryl" <jlhsha...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I have no desire for food. Maybe it's the pain meds and I've cut back. *I
> can really see how people can get addicted. *You take your dose, feel woozy
> but still some pain. *Take another one. *More woozy and not thinking clearly
> but still in pain. *Repeat.
>
> I had the shrimp last night because nothing else appealed to me. *Todaythe
> leftovers didn't appeal to me and nothing else has either. *I have eaten a
> few corn chips, and tried to eat the leftover shrimp but got down about 3of
> them. *I keep craving something like a McD double cheeseburger. *The other
> day I got the one on the $1 menu and a small order of fries. *Usually Ilike
> the fries but I threw most of them out. *The $1 cheeseburger hit the spot
> but now I can't think of what I want to eat even though I've eaten so little
> today and am hungry. *Are there recovery foods? *I guess like comfortfoods?

Shrimp are good. High protein basically to help your body rebuild.
Plenty of fluids too (water!)

Eggs are great!

Not too much fat, and carbs for energy.

Protein and water is best.

John Kuthe (soon to be an RN)...

"John Kuthe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Jul 25, 4:27 pm, "Cheryl" <jlhsha...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> I have no desire for food. Maybe it's the pain meds and I've cut back. I
>> can really see how people can get addicted. You take your dose, feel
>> woozy
>> but still some pain. Take another one. More woozy and not thinking
>> clearly
>> but still in pain. Repeat.
>>
>> I had the shrimp last night because nothing else appealed to me. Today
>> the
>> leftovers didn't appeal to me and nothing else has either. I have eaten
>> a
>> few corn chips, and tried to eat the leftover shrimp but got down about 3
>> of
>> them. I keep craving something like a McD double cheeseburger. The
>> other
>> day I got the one on the $1 menu and a small order of fries. Usually I
>> like
>> the fries but I threw most of them out. The $1 cheeseburger hit the spot
>> but now I can't think of what I want to eat even though I've eaten so
>> little
>> today and am hungry. Are there recovery foods? I guess like comfort
>> foods?
>
> Shrimp are good. High protein basically to help your body rebuild.
> Plenty of fluids too (water!)
>
Maybe that's why I've been craving protein. I always drink a lot of water.

> Eggs are great!
>
> Not too much fat, and carbs for energy.
>
Eggs aren't appealing to me now. Maybe I'll thaw a burger patty and have
that.

> Protein and water is best.
>
> John Kuthe (soon to be an RN)...

Good luck with that. Nurses are angels. I had such a good experience at
the surgery center and they were all very eager to make it a good
experience. The pain later, though. lol maybe I should have offered to
take one of them home with me.

"Cheryl" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I have no desire for food. Maybe it's the pain meds and I've cut back.
> I can really see how people can get addicted. You take your dose,
> feel woozy but still some pain. Take another one. More woozy and not
> thinking clearly but still in pain. Repeat.
>
> I had the shrimp last night because nothing else appealed to me.
> Today the leftovers didn't appeal to me and nothing else has either.
> I have eaten a few corn chips, and tried to eat the leftover shrimp
> but got down about 3 of them. I keep craving something like a McD
> double cheeseburger. The other day I got the one on the $1 menu and a
> small order of fries. Usually I like the fries but I threw most of
> them out. The $1 cheeseburger hit the spot but now I can't think of
> what I want to eat even though I've eaten so little today and am
> hungry. Are there recovery foods? I guess like comfort foods?


Tubs of fruit yogurts. You can sip them through fat straws like a milkshake. It's
healthy and good for you.

Andy


You could of course always downgrade to the freezer section for White Castle
cheeseburgers.

Andy's Evil Twin

On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:27:38 -0400, "Cheryl" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I have no desire for food. Maybe it's the pain meds and I've cut back. I
>can really see how people can get addicted. You take your dose, feel woozy
>but still some pain. Take another one. More woozy and not thinking clearly
>but still in pain. Repeat.
>
>I had the shrimp last night because nothing else appealed to me. Today the
>leftovers didn't appeal to me and nothing else has either. I have eaten a
>few corn chips, and tried to eat the leftover shrimp but got down about 3 of
>them. I keep craving something like a McD double cheeseburger. The other
>day I got the one on the $1 menu and a small order of fries. Usually I like
>the fries but I threw most of them out. The $1 cheeseburger hit the spot
>but now I can't think of what I want to eat even though I've eaten so little
>today and am hungry. Are there recovery foods? I guess like comfort foods?

If you're going to continue taking all those pain pills you'd best
have a couple doses of Metamucil each day too, and drink plenty of
water... Hydrocodone is big time constipating. I suggest you don't
continue to take those pills, better to bear the pain, have a couple
stiff drinks instead.

On Jul 25, 5:49*pm, brooklyn1 <gravesen...@verizon.net> wrote:
> On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:27:38 -0400, "Cheryl" <jlhsha...@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >I have no desire for food. Maybe it's the pain meds and I've cut back. *I
> >can really see how people can get addicted. *You take your dose, feel woozy
> >but still some pain. *Take another one. *More woozy and not thinkingclearly
> >but still in pain. *Repeat.
>
> >I had the shrimp last night because nothing else appealed to me. *Today the
> >leftovers didn't appeal to me and nothing else has either. *I have eaten a
> >few corn chips, and tried to eat the leftover shrimp but got down about 3 of
> >them. *I keep craving something like a McD double cheeseburger. *Theother
> >day I got the one on the $1 menu and a small order of fries. *Usually I like
> >the fries but I threw most of them out. *The $1 cheeseburger hit the spot
> >but now I can't think of what I want to eat even though I've eaten so little
> >today and am hungry. *Are there recovery foods? *I guess like comfort foods?
>
> If you're going to continue taking all those pain pills you'd best
> have a couple doses of Metamucil each day too, and drink plenty of
> water... Hydrocodone is big time constipating. *I suggest you don't
> continue to take those pills, better to bear the pain, have a couple
> stiff drinks instead.

The important thing is you need to EAT! So eat whatever you can
tolerate.You need your strength to heal. Make sure you take your
vitamins and Sheldon is right: I'm assuming Percocets?? Metamucil or
Miralax is the order of the day. Don't know how long after surgery you
are. It should get a bit better every day. If the pain is not
decreasing day by day (you may not notice it's less than yesterday but
you should notice its less than 3-4 days ago), call your doctor. You
may have a post op complication. I developed a nasty staph infection
after my cancer surgery. I'll spare the details but it took 4-5
courses of different anti-biotics before it finally got knocked outta
me. And then I started chemo... I had a hellish 8 months in late 2008-
early 2009.

"Andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]..
> "Cheryl" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I have no desire for food. Maybe it's the pain meds and I've cut back.
>> I can really see how people can get addicted. You take your dose,
>> feel woozy but still some pain. Take another one. More woozy and not
>> thinking clearly but still in pain. Repeat.
>>
>> I had the shrimp last night because nothing else appealed to me.
>> Today the leftovers didn't appeal to me and nothing else has either.
>> I have eaten a few corn chips, and tried to eat the leftover shrimp
>> but got down about 3 of them. I keep craving something like a McD
>> double cheeseburger. The other day I got the one on the $1 menu and a
>> small order of fries. Usually I like the fries but I threw most of
>> them out. The $1 cheeseburger hit the spot but now I can't think of
>> what I want to eat even though I've eaten so little today and am
>> hungry. Are there recovery foods? I guess like comfort foods?
>
>
> Tubs of fruit yogurts. You can sip them through fat straws like a
> milkshake. It's
> healthy and good for you.
>

I do have yogurt in the fridge. It doesn't appeal to me either, but maybe
I'll try one. I do like yogurt.

"brooklyn1" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..

> If you're going to continue taking all those pain pills you'd best
> have a couple doses of Metamucil each day too, and drink plenty of
> water... Hydrocodone is big time constipating. I suggest you don't
> continue to take those pills, better to bear the pain, have a couple
> stiff drinks instead.

I'm very cognizant of the pain pills. I've taken 3 vicodins today and only
because it hurts so much. I go back to work tomorrow, so no narcotics
unless I need them when I get home. Thanks for the suggestion about the
fiber.

On 7/25/2010 5:27 PM, Cheryl wrote:
> I have no desire for food. Maybe it's the pain meds and I've cut back.
> I can really see how people can get addicted. You take your dose, feel
> woozy but still some pain. Take another one. More woozy and not thinking
> clearly but still in pain. Repeat.
>
> I had the shrimp last night because nothing else appealed to me. Today
> the leftovers didn't appeal to me and nothing else has either. I have
> eaten a few corn chips, and tried to eat the leftover shrimp but got
> down about 3 of them. I keep craving something like a McD double
> cheeseburger. The other day I got the one on the $1 menu and a small
> order of fries. Usually I like the fries but I threw most of them out.
> The $1 cheeseburger hit the spot but now I can't think of what I want to
> eat even though I've eaten so little today and am hungry. Are there
> recovery foods? I guess like comfort foods?

As long as you can get it down and keep it down and aren't under doctors
orders to not eat it, indulge yourself. If you want a bacon double
cheeseburger, go for it--if you're craving something your body may be
telling that it needs that kind of nutrients.

On Jul 25, 2:27*pm, "Cheryl" <jlhsha...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I have no desire for food. Maybe it's the pain meds and I've cut back. *I
> can really see how people can get addicted. *You take your dose, feel woozy
> but still some pain. *Take another one. *More woozy and not thinking clearly
> but still in pain. *Repeat.
>
> I had the shrimp last night because nothing else appealed to me. *Todaythe
> leftovers didn't appeal to me and nothing else has either. *I have eaten a
> few corn chips, and tried to eat the leftover shrimp but got down about 3of
> them. *I keep craving something like a McD double cheeseburger. *The other
> day I got the one on the $1 menu and a small order of fries. *Usually Ilike
> the fries but I threw most of them out. *The $1 cheeseburger hit the spot
> but now I can't think of what I want to eat even though I've eaten so little
> today and am hungry. *Are there recovery foods? *I guess like comfortfoods?
Ginger ale and toast with peanut buttr and honey

"Catmandy (Sheryl)" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>
> The important thing is you need to EAT! So eat whatever you can
> tolerate.You need your strength to heal. Make sure you take your
> vitamins and Sheldon is right: I'm assuming Percocets?? Metamucil or
> Miralax is the order of the day. Don't know how long after surgery you
> are. It should get a bit better every day. If the pain is not
> decreasing day by day (you may not notice it's less than yesterday but
> you should notice its less than 3-4 days ago), call your doctor. You
> may have a post op complication.

I'm on antibiotics because my post op last week the dr said it was red and
could become infected. I'm taking them as prescribed. They are the sulfur
type and really stink. I go back Thursday to get the stitches out. Surgery
was just over a week ago. The pain is like someone really fat stepped on
the top of my foot and took a minute to get off of it. It really has
decreased since last week, but cutting back on the pain meds makes me feel
it more. Some say take the meds, we don't need to be in pain. Yet, the
thought of addiction is worse to me.

I developed a nasty staph infection
> after my cancer surgery. I'll spare the details but it took 4-5
> courses of different anti-biotics before it finally got knocked outta
> me. And then I started chemo... I had a hellish 8 months in late 2008-
> early 2009.

I'm so glad you came through it! Are you over the cancer?

On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:12:38 -0400, "Cheryl" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Some say take the meds, we don't need to be in pain. Yet, the
>thought of addiction is worse to me.

You will heal much better if you are not in pain: studies have shown
that. The latest research shows that you should try to stay ahead of
the pain. And the latest studies have also shown that addiction at
this time, should be very low on the list of your concerns.

Take the pain pills. Sometimes it helps to take a NSAIDS along with
it..like Ibuprophen.

It also sounds like you are going back to work almost too quickly. Can
you take more time off?

I found I didn't have much appetite after my last surgeries. I think
it was due to the constipating effects of the medications. Eat what
you can, of what appeals, and do try to drink plenty of fluids. As
you are able to (but not before!!) do start backing off the pills.
However, it is still in the time frame where pain can be an issue, so
don't try to be brave and stand it.

Are you keeping your foot elevated? That was one thing that really,
REALLY helped for me. The pain magnified immensely when I didn't keep
it elevated.

Christine
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:03:18 -0400, "J. Clarke"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>As long as you can get it down and keep it down and aren't under doctors
>orders to not eat it, indulge yourself. If you want a bacon double
>cheeseburger, go for it--if you're craving something your body may be
>telling that it needs that kind of nutrients.

I would agree with this. My last hip replacement, I really CRAVED
milk, to the point where I was going through a gallon or so every few
days. Didn't want much else to eat at the time, but the milk I could
guzzle. My supposition is that something in it, was good for my bone
healing....
About a week or so after I came home from the hospital, the craving
dropped off..

Christine
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

"Christine Dabney" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]..
> On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:12:38 -0400, "Cheryl" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>Some say take the meds, we don't need to be in pain. Yet, the
>>thought of addiction is worse to me.
>
> You will heal much better if you are not in pain: studies have shown
> that. The latest research shows that you should try to stay ahead of
> the pain. And the latest studies have also shown that addiction at
> this time, should be very low on the list of your concerns.
>
Ok. I'll keep that in mind and take the pills as needed.

> Take the pain pills. Sometimes it helps to take a NSAIDS along with
> it..like Ibuprophen.
>
I wasn't sure if I could take both and hadn't asked my Dr yet. I took
ibuprofen when I went back to work. Didn't help much on it's own.

> It also sounds like you are going back to work almost too quickly. Can
> you take more time off?

I worked two days last week at the office and the other three days at home.
The two days I went in I left early. I had my vacation just prior to the
surgery so things are nuts at work right now. My boss is flexible and is
letting me make the call when I need to stay home or leave early. I do have
to go in tomorrow. Maybe I stopped using the crutches too soon. I felt too
unstable on them. Maybe I stopped icing it too early. I was vigilant doing
the icing for the first 5 days.

>
> I found I didn't have much appetite after my last surgeries. I think
> it was due to the constipating effects of the medications. Eat what
> you can, of what appeals, and do try to drink plenty of fluids. As
> you are able to (but not before!!) do start backing off the pills.
> However, it is still in the time frame where pain can be an issue, so
> don't try to be brave and stand it.
>
Ok.

> Are you keeping your foot elevated? That was one thing that really,
> REALLY helped for me. The pain magnified immensely when I didn't keep
> it elevated.

When home I do elevate it. Maybe I've just not understood the severity of
surgery at my age. Sometimes I feel young. Then I don't. Maybe I just
need to accept that things now take longer to heal. Just like Carol told me
about my back. That we hurt when we get older. lol

I second the recommendation for a high-quality-protein diet
whenever healing is needed.

Steve

On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:01:46 -0400, "Cheryl" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>"brooklyn1" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]. .
>
>> If you're going to continue taking all those pain pills you'd best
>> have a couple doses of Metamucil each day too, and drink plenty of
>> water... Hydrocodone is big time constipating. I suggest you don't
>> continue to take those pills, better to bear the pain, have a couple
>> stiff drinks instead.
>
>I'm very cognizant of the pain pills. I've taken 3 vicodins today and only
>because it hurts so much. I go back to work tomorrow, so no narcotics
>unless I need them when I get home. Thanks for the suggestion about the
>fiber.

Fiber One Honey Clusters is good too:
http://www.fiberone.com/Product/Cereals.aspx

On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:46:26 -0400, "Cheryl" <[email protected]>
wrote:

..
>I wasn't sure if I could take both and hadn't asked my Dr yet. I took
>ibuprofen when I went back to work. Didn't help much on it's own.

Just take one with the pain med. Don't need to take a full dose. But
it seems to help a lot with the pain (and inflammation).

>I worked two days last week at the office and the other three days at home.
>The two days I went in I left early. I had my vacation just prior to the
>surgery so things are nuts at work right now. My boss is flexible and is
>letting me make the call when I need to stay home or leave early. I do have
>to go in tomorrow. Maybe I stopped using the crutches too soon. I felt too
>unstable on them. Maybe I stopped icing it too early. I was vigilant doing
>the icing for the first 5 days.

I would use crutches still, if it improves your comfort. Same with
the icing: I personally would continue it. And keep it elevated!!!
Even when you are at work, if possible.




>When home I do elevate it. Maybe I've just not understood the severity of
>surgery at my age. Sometimes I feel young. Then I don't. Maybe I just
>need to accept that things now take longer to heal. Just like Carol told me
>about my back. That we hurt when we get older. lol
>
Well, my personal experience with my bunion surgery is that the
swelling that ensued when I didn't keep it elevated made it incredibly
painful. I was able to really reduce the discomfort when I kept it
elevated.

Christine
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:27:38 -0400, "Cheryl" <[email protected]>
wrote:

> The $1 cheeseburger hit the spot
>but now I can't think of what I want to eat even though I've eaten so little
>today and am hungry. Are there recovery foods? I guess like comfort foods?

Eat cheeseburgers for a few days if that is what it takes. You can
eat extra healthy later on and balance it all out.

What do you like to eat when you are sick? Those foods might be
appealing and comforting -- soup, crackers, toast, rice pudding,
smoothies, mashed potatoes.

If nothing is appealing, make a cold plate to leave on the table and
pick at all day -- cheese, crackers, nuts, olives, fruit, crudite.

Drink lots of fluid. Popsicles are hydrating, too!

Tara

On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:57:06 -0700, Christine Dabney
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:46:26 -0400, "Cheryl" <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>.
>>I wasn't sure if I could take both and hadn't asked my Dr yet. I took
>>ibuprofen when I went back to work. Didn't help much on it's own.
>
>Just take one with the pain med. Don't need to take a full dose. But
>it seems to help a lot with the pain (and inflammation).

Okay, I probably should modify that, so as not to be seen as
dispensing medical advice. Call your doctor tomorrow and ask if that
is okay: that you have heard that it can really help. If he says no,
then disregard my advice. Disregard it anyway, until you talk to
him...)

However, the other measures might really help.

Christine
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

"Christine Dabney" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..

>>
> Well, my personal experience with my bunion surgery is that the
> swelling that ensued when I didn't keep it elevated made it incredibly
> painful. I was able to really reduce the discomfort when I kept it
> elevated.

I ate a burger (really didn't taste good at this time) and now am icing it.
You said the elevating helped so I'm going to make a conscience effort to
elevate it more. Also, the surgeon told me to start working on the mobility
earlier this week. It hurts to do that! But that was the whole point to
the surgery, to get mobility back in my joint without pain. I'm trying!
lol

Thank you to all who offered suggestions.