Food and My Nose...

Wasn't sure where to put this, so I figured it'd be safe lumped in "other stuff". Mods--feel free to let me know if I need to move this.

Here's my dilemma. This Monday AM I'm having endoscopic sinus surgery, complete with a septoplasty and turbinate reduction. I know what to anticipate in terms of the pain, swelling and all that, but with me there's always one very important question:

What am I gonna want to eat?

I'll be jacked up on Vicodin for about a week so want to lay in some appropriate supplies of things that would seem appealing to someone on painkillers and with an unhappy nose.

Anyone else been through this surgery? What were you in the mood for for the following few days?

I'm thinking I should stock up on soups, scrambled eggs, maybe some pudding--your typical sick-y foods--but if that won't be necessary I'll plan my usual weekly menu.


Thanks for your input in advance--chances are this surgery will make my food appreciation even greater as I'll have a much better sense of smell once everything up there is fixed and free of congestion.

bananasandwiches, I'm sorry you have to go through the surgery! Having the right foods around definitely speeds recovery: what's good for the soul is good for the body, and vice-versa. Cathy2 and helen facilitated my recovery from a broken ankle with delicious food last year. But it was not my nose involved.

A few suggestions: To me, the best of all comfort foods is matzo ball soup. It is even good likewarm, in case heat is a problem for you. Mish-mosh soup with kreplach, noodles, and rice is a great variation.

And do not overlook mashed potatoes or ice cream. Flan is more palatable to me than pudding. I'm not sure where you live, but Mekato's Colombian Bakery on N. Lincoln has great flan de queso.

Make a speedy recovery!

To me vicodin and surgery = ice cream and milk shakes but that may just be left over from having my wisdom teeth pulled 10 years ago... Seriously though, is there anything a good shake can't cure?

I'm not sure exactly what's involved in the surgery and if it will be too painful to open your mouth and chew (in which case the soft food recommendations are spot on). My observation is that if your nose is out of commission, then it will affect your ability to fully taste the food you are eating. The Vicodin won't help much, either. I'd consider getting some very spicy or strongly flavored foods, since everything will be tasting blander than normal.

The good news: My ex had that done years ago and said it was one of the best things she ever did. She went from biweekly sinus attacks that would leave her incapacitated to maybe one a year, if that.

The bad news: you will feel like hell for a week. It's safe to say your interest in food will be close to nil.

And no matter how much you want to DO NOT BLOW YOU NOSE!!!!

I had surgery last year, thyroid, so it was my throat not my nose that was sore. But the best thing was a cold fruit smoothie. You can make your own at home, and add protein powder if you aren't eating enough solid food (I got a vanilla soy protein powder with no sweeteners at Whole Foods). You can vary your proportions, etc, I like a mix of yogurt, fruit, milk, protein and ice, but other flavors such as nut butters or chocolate syrup can be fun, you can add honey or maple. I love blueberry apple cinnamon as a combo.

Thanks y'all. This is the third surgery I've had in the past year--two dental surgeries prior--so I'm getting accustomed to the after affects of anesthesia, painkillers and antibiotics. Knock on wood, this'll be my last time on the table for a long, long time.

Thanks for your suggestions--I've got some soup going--just a good chicken broth which I can add noodles or rice or matzo balls to as the whim strikes me. Between that, some saltines, Odwalla smoothie drinks and some peach sorbet I think I'll be all set for a few days.

I'll keep you posted on whether or not the surgery is the "miracle cure" that many have touted.