I'm having a minor surgery this week and will not be able to work out for 6 weeks - not even walking ;(

Any suggestions on nutrition? Should I reduce the food intake any or just eat my 6 meals a day like normal and keep it clean?

Any advice from someone who has been through something similiar?

Thanks!

Melodi!

Hope you are healing well!! Take it from me, eat as clean as you can. You know I just had surgery 6 weeks ago and it's been heck trying to get things started again. I've done more damage by NOT eating clean along with the inability really to work out. Make your plan with the cleanest of clean foods and stick to it. This is the time to be super strict with your diet.

We need to get together!!

Suzanne

Hi Melodi,

Suzanne had great advice. Sticking to a solid nutritional may also speed up recovery........

Pre-prepare foods that will help you stay on track when you are feeling weak and seeking comfort, it will help you stay accountable.

Wishing you a fast and healthy recovery my friend..........

Great advice!! Also keep busy with some hobbies so that you aren't tempted to eat "something" you shouldn't!!

Wishing you well during surgery and wishes for a speedy, healthy recovery!!

And don't golf for 8 weeks
Troy

I have found that eating clean is very important but remember after all the drugs from the surgery are out of your system you may be real hungry so if you need some extra food then eat it for your recovery. Your body may need that to repair. Then be careful. Hel quickly!

Marty

Let us all know how you are doing!!

I've had the question of amount myself. I know after my last surgery before I started the BFL plan I listened to my body. I'd eat a bite and decide if I could handle any more. If I could I would. Everyone has told you to eat clean, but watch the amount by eating slowly and quitting when you're full. I gained 50 pounds on my first surgery not paying attention to my body in 9 mo.. On the second surgery, I lost 30 pounds in 12 weeks. Good luck on your surgery and keep us posted.

Hey everyone - thank you so much for all your responses and great advice.

I am doing great. Mentally, I am really feeling wonderful....my body reminds me to slow down.

I am having my son take me to the store today to buy some good healthy food. I will take it slow....I just want to get out of the house a bit too. Starting to get a little stir crazy,. Well intentioned family members bring me food....but it is loaded with sugar. You can't tell moms and mil's that just because there is a banana in it, doesn't mean it's good for you ;-) Hubby brings me ice cream and things I used to really like and I know he means well so I do not complain....but all that really makes me feel like a busted can of biscuts!!

Marty thanks for the tip....I am going to get some good protein snacks...I think that will be good for eating for recovery.

Troy - no worries on the golf....I can't golf WELL on a good day! LOL

All in all it is a good experience for me....this process is showing me how much better life is when you eat healthy and that I really do ENJOY moving! I asked God to help me change my attitude about exercising and I think this is an answer to this prayer. I had an overwhelming urge to do situps last night? lol

Again, thank you all for your help and well wishes!

I remember after my major sugeries I was a couch potato for 4 months. The doctor wanted me to stay home another 2 months. I told him I had to get back to work. So I had a friend pick me up on his prep hour, I'm a teacher, and I worked half time. The stupid part is, if I'd stayed home I'd have had full pay. But, because I was working 1/2 time I got half pay. I didn't care. I needed out of the house. And, I remember my body telling me when I was done. I rarely have those occasions anymore, but a few 20 hour work days will kill my bad knee everytime.

Hoping your surgery goes well Melodi.
I hope you heal quickly!
I would think eating clean and nutritious will help speed up the healing process.
Take care, Paul

Hi Melodi - all the advice here is pretty sound.
I was in your position a few years back - even confined to a wheelchair for quite a while and I can tell you straight, if all you can do is watch your eating, then do that.
If you don't have junk/unhealthy food in the house, then you can't eat it - I know family and friends mean well when they bring you cakes and ice cream, but it's far too easy to use these comfort foods as a "crutch" when laid-up - ask them to help you out, ask them for fruit instead - if you feel like snacking try carrot sticks etc - something crunchy, substantial and healthy.
It's also REALLY important to round-out your "environment for success" by surrounding yourself with positive people (via the likes of this messageboard and phone calls to and from friends that "get" what you're trying to achieve) and positive input; i.e. books, magazines, tapes and/or videos that inspire you and keep you focussed.
You already have the motivation and desire - just ensure you have the support and resources !

About a year and a half ago, I fell out a 2nd floor window while drunk, and landed on concrete, and broke my left knee and my face in 12 places. I have entered the 2008 BFL UFC, because I FELT IT WAS THE TIME to do so. I know my face is still healing,(steel in 5 places in the face) and my left knee is practically useless,...but after watching Body of Work again tonight,....I am sure that this is exactly what I need to push my body into the higher gear it was meant to run on.
They had me on clendomycin for mos, and morphine sulfate for like a year. the upside, is that I am alive, the downside is that I may have entered prematurely, but time and space are always in controll to me,..and If I entered now,...it must be for a reason,..and I have faith that it will be good for my body even so. Before the accident, i was preparing for the 2007 BFL UFC,..and the doctors said to me that if I wasn't in as good shape as I was, when I hit the ground,...that I would not have been likely to have made it through the 2 day induced chemi-coma, without further difficulties of the other senses. I had a picture of RONNIE COLEMAN and Madonna, covering my TV in Mass General for the 2 weeks I was in there then sent home with a broken left knee,....and wired shut jaw for 5 mos. I lost 35 lbs in Mass Gen,...I have almost gained it all back. I was tooling around the hospital with my walker in my johnny,...flexing my 134lb, 13 3/4 inch bi-shots for the cameras,..lol with a wired shut jaw, a broken left knee, and a broken face,...I was SMILING while throwing down some poses,...because I fealt the magic for me surrounding the sport, and was happy to show the Mass Gen staff,...that even that wasn't gonna keep me down. That hospital is a magical place

(I remember when I finally was able to ambulate,....how cool and different and sensationally weird it felt to use a walker to go over to the bathroom,..and when I sat down,.....I don't know,....maybe it was the drugs, or the fact that I was bedridden for 2 weeks,.....but that was the most satisfying on the butt cheeks, and relieving and comfortable bowl movement I EVER took man. (guess stool softener only lasts 2 weeks before SOMETHING has to come out of there).....lol

E>A>S>
The time is NOW!

I'm glad you're up and moving. Let your body be your guide. When my body quits due to past injuries, I try to finish things up on that project and then quit. Initially, it's okay to just quit. You'll build as you go. keep smiling kennie