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I came across Sterling Beaumont’s fine article, The Best Soft Foods to Eat After Jaw Surgery and was reminded of a different aspect of eating with regards to surgery.
Fortunately, I have only undergone surgery several times in my lifetime. My heart feels for those people that have either had to undergo more surgeries or suffered through more difficult operative procedures than me.
I have usually been advised as one of the standard pre-operative instructions, not to eat any food after twelve midnight prior to the upcoming surgery for that day. I have followed this advice. In addition, I have always taken the position that no surgical procedure’s desired outcome, regardless of its stated or implied simplicity is a guarantee. Therefore, I tend to like to get my affairs in order before I get knocked out and go under the knife.
In preparation for my last surgical procedure, which was about three years ago, my preparations were no different for surgeries that had been performed on me in the past. I spent the day prior to my surgery, organizing various components of my life so that things were in order in the event I didn’t pull through the surgery or if I made it through the operation in a less than fully functional state.
On this occasion, my life must have been more disheveled than normal, for it took me well into the night to organize matters to my satisfaction. Once the task was complete, I headed to Walmart to pick up some cheap and comfortable clothes in which to lounge around in the days that were to follow my surgery. As I was preparing to check out, I realized that I had not eaten since the morning. I glanced at the clock on the wall and noted that it was about 11:50 PM, which left me about ten minutes to find something to eat. My eyes surveyed my immediate surroundings and then they came to rest upon a display of Little Debbies Oatmeal Creme Pies. I happened to love Little Debbies Oatmeal Creme Pies. Accordingly, I purchased the box. The box contained six of the large sized cookie pies. After I checked out, I ferociously gobbled down four of the six cookies. They were scrumptious. It was then 12 AM and my food intake restrictions had kicked in. Without further ado; I drove home, unpacked and went to sleep.
In no time, the sun was up and I was soon in route to the hospital. The surgery itself apparently went off without a hitch; at least none was shared with me. However, it did take a bit longer than in the past for me to recover from the anesthesia, as the oxygen took awhile to return to my blood in adequate levels. To say I felt like @#$* would have been an understatement. Finally, the worst was over and I was discharged from the hospital to recover from the surgical procedure itself. Fortunately, I recovered satisfactorily.
The surgery was a success and I was better off for having done it. However, one thing had changed and it was quite sad. I discovered that not only did I no longer have any inclination to eat a Little Debbies Oatmeal Creme Pie, now I even detested just the thought of eating one. Several years have past and this feeling has never eased and consequently, I have never again eaten another Little Debbies Oatmeal Creme Pie.
I do not know if this is a common phenomenon or not. However, I write this so as to alert you to my experiences and to advise you to carefully select your last meal prior to surgery, for it just might be the last time that you enjoy that food again.
Originally published on Associated Content / Yahoo Contributor Network (YCN) on March 12, 2009
Note 1: As of this update on September 16, 2014 I have not eaten a Little Debbies Oatmeal Creme Pie. However, I have eaten other Little Debbies products without issue and usually find them quite tasty.
Note 2: Sterling Beaumont’s article existed on Yahoo Contributor network. Yahoo Contributor Network does no longer exists. Therefore, at time, it is not possible at this time to provide a link to his article, The Best Soft Foods to Eat After Jaw Surgery.
Little Debbies Oatmeal Creme Pies are available for purchase on Amazon.
© Copyright, Han Van Meegerin – All Rights Reserved
Han Van Meegerin
You brought up things I have never thought of Han. I have had quite a few surgical procedures, in-fact my daughter went in for dental surgery last Friday. I have never put any affairs in order. I don’t even have a will, but my daughter knows what I want should the worst happen. As for the cookies, can I assume you did not keep them down after surgery, given you write that you felt awful after waking up. My daughter was sick once and she had eaten pork; this was years ago and she still will not eat pork. I also went through a stage of no smoked oysters or any type of oysters and no tuna after two subsequent bouts of a stomach bug or food poisoning. Not sure which. Perhaps reading this article and writing my reply will motivate me to put something in writing regarding a will. My Dad is a lawyer, so it would not be difficult to arrange. I am so good at putting off important things; I really must stop doing that. Great article, great read.