Easy meals?

[MacG]

Looks like I may get an oophetectomy in addition (at the same time) to my top surgery in four days. If so, I'll be extra needy, and my wife is recovering from pneumonia, so she's not going to be cooking much.

Ideas for very easy meals?
My mushy brain only has this so far:
Instant oatmeal
Premade brown rice and beans, which I can top with some shredded cheese
Cereal
Frozen meals (expensive so don't want to rely on)

Any other ideas? Or any advice on recovering from a dual surgery like this?

[Laura_7]

well you should ask your doctor about this...

Fruit

Possibly pasta, cooked together with some vegetables, used as soup.
There are different pasta available, even whole grain.
Possibly some organic soup cubes, but salt and pepper should do...
and some high quality oil with essential oils...

Something to restore flora in the digestive tract...
organic yoghurt...

hugs

[Alexthecat]

Soup, pasta, chicken - make a lot of whatever and freeze it individually.

[aleon515]

I did a bunch of one-pot meals like spaghetti and stew and froze them like this. It was the best idea ever. Oh yeah, not too ecological but for a short period, got throw away utensils, plates, etc. and used those for about a week. It was so nice.

--Jay

Soup, pasta, chicken - make a lot of whatever and freeze it individually.

[LordKAT]

Making pot pie ahead of time works well too. You can freeze breakfast croissants and they keep well. I would get like 50 of them at a time and do that for quick meals since I'm on call all the time.

[HeyTrace19]

Your list sounds good...
To be honest, I had very little appetite for a week or so post-abdominal surgery, so I pretty much ate a bowl of oatmeal most days and maybe a spoonful of peanut butter with a banana.  After the first week, when my hunger returned, I actually felt like being up and cooking myself some food...though you may have limited reach in the kitchen from the chest surgery, so make sure to have some things out on the counter so they are readily accessible.  It is amazing how much shorter your arms will seem to be! 

A good friend or neighbor might be happy to fetch some fresh produce for you...since trips to the market will be a little tougher for a couple weeks.  And I agree with Jay on using paper plates, bowls, etc.  Washing dishes is kind of a drag when you are sore.

Best wishes for smooth sailing and a speedy recovery!

[MacG]

I knew I could count on you folks! Great ideas. Thank you.

[Tysilio]

Bean and other legume dishes (chili, bean soup, lentils, etc.)  are cheap, nutritious, easy to make in quantity, and freeze well.

The same goes for all sorts of soups, if you have the freezer space -- and soup may be just the thing for that first part of your recovery when you don't feel so much like eating. It can be major comfort food, too.

You may also be able to spread the word among your friends and family that you can use some help with meals for a few weeks. People often love to help out in these situations, and that can be a nice way to get some fresher meals, things that haven't been sitting in the freezer.

When you're a bit farther along in your recovery, if you have a crock pot it can be super easy to throw in the ingredients for a braise or stew, or something like a big pot of chicken and rice, and just let 'er rip for the day.

[FTMax]

I pre-made and froze 5 individual servings of the following:

- Turkey meatballs with black beans, brown rice, peppers, and onions
- Chicken meatballs with black beans, rice, and broccoli
- Macaroni and cheese, tuna, and broccoli

They are all easy to batch prepare and they freeze well. I also made a few gallons of chicken noodle soup and froze it in individual serving sized bags.

I bought apple sauce, pudding, and crackers and have been making my way through those before I get into real food.

[aleon515]

Peanut butter, whole wheat bread, individual yogurt containers (with natural probiotics), salad in a bag and bottled dressing, bananas (basically my lunch for a couple weeks. )

--Jay

[MacG]

Thanks, Jay, Tysilio and ftmax! Going shopping soon.

[Amadeus]

This has been my experience so far: one week before surgery, I began cooking.  I made over thirty burritos of various fillings and froze them.  One minute on each side in the microwave and they're done.  I also made 'personal pizzas' that I also froze.  Three kinds of soup are in the fridge and freezer.  I even made little pork dumplings that are better than restaurant pot stickers.  All this is frozen and waiting for me to nom whenever I like.  Well, if my housemate doesn't decimate them first.  She's already devoured all the philly cheese steak burritos.  Damn it.

Top surgery has been surprisingly easy, except when I was fresh out of recovery.  Hurt like hell on the left side until they pumped me full of good stuff.  The other surgery will most definitely have you down and out.  I'm honestly surprised they're doing both at once.  So I wish you loads of luck!

[Ian68]

I haven't had surgery yet but I'm a grad student so, I know a bit about easy meals, hahaha...

Pre-made:
- Beef stew (can be frozen for at least two weeks if not more)
- Kefta (can be frozen for weeks, and paired quickly with flatbread and store-bought hummus) - PM me for recipe if you want
- Pizzas (same as frozen pizzas only you can make them with much healthier ingredients.  you need to cook the meats (if used) prior to making and freezing)
- Ground beef with rice and lentils (freeze for a couple of weeks) - PM for recipe

Easy to make:
- Omelettes (this is my go-to food for basically all the time...  good protein, calcium, etc.)
- Stir fry
- Canned soups - watch out for too much sodium - paired with grilled cheese
- Nut/seed butter sandwiches with banana - good potassium and decent protein
- Boiled eggs (can keep for up to three days, I think, and they make a great snack)

Snacks:
- Cheese
- Nuts/ seeds/ dried fruits
- Fruits
- Pre-sliced zucchini, carrots, squashes, etc. with dressing
- Digestive biscuits (good for when you want something sweet but are trying to avoid candies, etc.)
- Boxed juices

And yes, disposable plates/ cups/ cutlery/ etc. is good for occasions such as this.

Best of luck!

[MacG]

16 days post-op now. I found I was pretty mobile pretty fast.
My tips:
Paper plates and cups- yes! Nice to have things be light and have less mess.

Food: to start, instant oatmeal, bananas, pudding cups.
Additionally, some good friends brought me homemade stuff: matzo all soup (soup is nice and easy to digest), homemade quiche, premade rice 'n' beans, and pre-made burritos. All good stuff, lots of protein.

Placing the toaster oven at counter height was a good idea. I'd suggest this for appliances you plan to use.

[Amadeus]

Placing the toaster oven at counter height was a good idea. I'd suggest this for appliances you plan to use.

YES!  I mean, when I came home from hospital I felt really good and was walking around, doing stuff for myself, no big deal.  I'm three weeks out as of yesterday and my only problem is back pain.

Soup is a great post-op food.  My neighbours were really sweet and brought me Indian food one day when I was in a lot of pain.  And whoever came up with the idea of pizza delivery should be knighted.  The person who came up with online ordering should be sainted.  I just wish more places, especially Chinese restaurants, would implement web ordering.  It would make my life so much easier...and my arse fatter, but oh well.

[mooncab]

buy a party-size pizza, cut it into chunks, freeze it

[Felix]

I love the ideas about freezing food ahead of time. I also personally prefer to recover from surgery with canned foods and ramen (mixed with favorite vegetables and spices) and "stupid" foods that can be microwaved. Like potatoes or other root vegetables or tv dinners. I tend to stock up on filling liquids like v8 and soymilk and soups. I also usually buy piles of clif and luna bars and I try to go heavy on fermented foods after surgery. Setting aside money and favors for thai delivery or other comforts can make a world of difference too.