One week after venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, I had no appetite, no energy, and definitely no desire to follow the beautifully thought-out recovery plan I created weeks in advance. Here's what happened—and what I'm doing now to get back on track.

Why It Matters

Good nutrition isn’t just a checkbox. It’s fuel; especially when your body’s trying to repair itself, protein, vitamins, and minerals are the building blocks of healing. But if you can’t eat (or simply don’t feel like it) the plan doesn’t matter. Sharing this isn’t pity, it’s permission to be human: recovering doesn’t follow a schedule, but we can still find ways to reboot our nutrition. Bite by bite.

I Had a Plan. A Great One.

Before surgery, I did everything I could to prepare for recovery. I knew I was going to be staying at my parents' house in Maine, away from my usual routine in Virginia. I planned a detailed, personalized post-op recovery strategy, broken down into categories like sleep, hydration, movement, and of course, nutrition.

In my pre-op notes, I outlined:

• High-protein meals and snacks at every eating occasion
• Specific supplements: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, magnesium, zinc, collagen
• A plan to eat colorful fruits and veggies to support immune function
• A backup list of easy, protein-packed meals like egg muffins, smoothies, stir fries, and soups

I even used ChatGPT to help generate 25+ simple, high-protein breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas that didn’t require much prep. On paper, it looked solid. It felt empowering. I thought: "I've got this."

And Then Reality Hit

I’m now one week post-op from having my first rib removed (first rib resection and scalenectomy), and here’s what actually happened:

• I have no appetite. None. My stomach basically RSVP’d "not attending."
• When I do eat, I can only tolerate a few bites before I feel done.
• I have no energy to prepare food. Like, not even to reheat something.
• And honestly? I feel guilty asking for help, even though I’m surrounded by people who are more than willing.

Dinners have been the only consistent meals, with all thanks going to my family. But breakfast and lunch? Nonexistent. I haven’t eaten most of what I planned. And despite knowing exactly what I need to support healing, I'm just not doing it.

It’s humbling. And frustrating. And totally normal.

So Now What?

This week, I’m recommitting. Not to the whole plan, not to perfection. I'm recommitting to doing something that will make a difference. Here’s what that looks like:

1. Ask for Help
First up: I’m asking my mom (or one of my kids) to help me make some egg cups. They’re small, protein-packed, and can be eaten hot or cold. No utensils needed. One small ask = multiple ready-to-go breakfasts.

2. Prep a Smoothie Station
I’m keeping frozen fruit and Greek yogurt stocked and ready for smoothies. They’re easy to drink, which is sometimes all I can manage.

3. Nut Butter for the Win
When I can’t stomach a meal, I’ll have a spoonful of almond or peanut butter. It’s calorie-dense, has protein and healthy fat, and doesn’t require cooking.

4. Say Yes to Convenience Foods
Protein-enhanced snack bars like Rx Bars, Greek yogurt cups, or pudding with protein powder added? Yes. These don’t require help or energy, and they can live in a drawer by the bed.

5. Drink More Water
I’ve also been slacking on hydration. So I'm moving a water bottle to wherever I am during the day. No more excuses.

Micro Goals That Matter

I’m not trying to nail three perfect meals a day. My only goal this week is to eat one protein-rich meal or snack before dinner. That’s it. Maybe a smoothie. Maybe Greek yogurt. Maybe egg cups.

It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does have to happen. Because healing takes protein, vitamins, fluids—and consistency. A little progress each day is still progress.

Why I’m Sharing This

If you're caring for someone post-surgery, or preparing for a procedure yourself, know this: Even the best plans will meet reality. That doesn’t make them worthless. It just means they need adjusting.

You can check out the full list of post-op meals and recovery nutrition strategies on my blog. (Link below.) And if you have questions about thoracic outlet syndrome or what helped me get diagnosed, I’m happy to share.

This isn’t about getting it all right. It’s about being kind to yourself while your body does the hard work of healing. Let’s fuel it as best we can.

Until next time,
Kiyah