Using Oneself as the Subject

Next week, my colleague Brandy and I will be conducting an experiment in eating. Beginning this Sunday, March 13th we will follow a one-week version of a post-bariatric surgery diet. Our goal is to build empathy for patients of this surgery and uncover the biggest hurdles and most promising opportunities for improvement and support.

With a smaller or bypassed stomach, bariatric patients must change what they eat, how they eat, and how much. This allows the stomach to heal, become accustomed to eating smaller amounts of food, and helps patients lose weight and avoid side effects and complications. The diet begins with liquids and slowly progresses to solid foods.
Depending on the surgery, post-op diets can last as long as 3 months. Our experiment condenses that time into one week:

• Liquids, 1 day
• Pureed foods, 2 days
• Soft solid foods, 4 days

Throughout the experiment, Brandy and I will post thoughts and observations and supporting images. We’d love for you to follow us on this brief journey and respond with comments and questions.

Here’s to empathy!

Rachel