Joseph's diet.................

or lack of it at the moment

I would say Joseph has never been a fussy eater, he knows what he likes and always eats that and can on occasions be persuaded to try new things however, since his operation his diet has been terrible. He wont eat anything, just picks and often wont eat anything at all. He would quite happily live on cereal (coco-pops) and yoghurts just now. It is driving me mad.

I know he is only 20 days through a major heart operation and has only been home 2weeks but I wish he would eat something. When he first wanted something to eat in the hospital he was really sick and he was like that for a few days, morphine and anesthetic, so the nurses said aslong as he had something it didnt matter, so he was fed choc ices, rolo yoghurts, rubbish really He was also very constipated so I explained to him it was because he wasn't eating properly.

What can I do to get him eating properly again, or is this normal post op?

You could try some build up milkshakes (assuming Joseph likes milkshake), that way it bridges the gap between food and drink, while being really tasty and making sure he doesn't lose too much weight etc. I know nestle do a chocolate, vanilla and strawberry one, you can get them from boots, I don't if they still do, but you used to be able to get it on prescription. Otherwise it is about £3 for four sachets, but if he would drink them it would help with constipation.

Here we go

As an alternative, there are things like angel delight, which you could put bits of fruit in, do you think if he helped you make it he would be more willing to eat it?

Complan make soups etc designed for those who don't eat a lot as well.

I know all of those things are liquid, but if they settle his tummy and make going to the toilet easier, he might be more wiling to eat other foods.

Fruit cocktails, let him add fruits he likes to a juice, best of both gettin liquid and food

He has lactulose syrup from the doctor for the constipation.

He is not a milk drinker Sam but will try those shakes

He is back to school (part time) on Monday and I am hoping that being back into some kind of routine will help.

Hopefully thats helps him out then and keeps him settled being back into part routine and also gives you a bit of time to yourself (not sure when your back to work)

Monday aswell