Dr. Watkins - diet after surgery

[debinphoenix 0]

I just started eating foods two weeks ago after a plication and have gotten sick twice. trying to figure out why ... the first time I had a few bites of m. potatoes but then forgot and drank a few sips of Water. Major sliming episode

then today I had only 3-4 bites of mac and cheese and same thing happened although less extreme.

Both time I was in a car shortly after eating at restaurants and wonder if that caused it.

Just getting a tad frustrated as I don't want to get malnourished and everyday life is tough when you are afraid to eat at work, in public etc.

I didn't even know plication patients got sick or slimed?

Any thoughts?

deb

[chelsea 0]

If you're only 2 weeks out, those foods are probably too heavy for your stoma to have more than 3-4 bites. Maybe stop at 3. You'll get more down. Also, when you're about a month out, start taking Vitamins. You're NOT going to get malnourished in those few weeks. I know my body has enough extra weight to survive for a month! Just kidding. But seriously, you'll be fine. The first few weeks just try to get in Protein. That's the number one thing to be health conscious about. liquid Protein will be your best option.

And good luck!

[Cknorte 7]

Remember that though you didn't have your stomach cut, it is reduced in size and it has gone through trauma. Eat slow, and small bites..maybe try something that isn't that heavy or carb loaded. Ricotta Bake? Refried Beans, Lentils, chicken salad, tuna salad.< /p>

eggs, potato, Pasta, marinara sauce...were all very hard for me to do for the first 2 months....

We will get sick if we eat too much, we have a sleeve....and if we eat too much and too fast, your spit will back up and you will slime.....

[DrWatkins 13]

I just started eating foods two weeks ago after a plication and have gotten sick twice. trying to figure out why ... the first time I had a few bites of m. potatoes but then forgot and drank a few sips of Water. Major sliming episode

then today I had only 3-4 bites of mac and cheese and same thing happened although less extreme.

Both time I was in a car shortly after eating at restaurants and wonder if that caused it.

Just getting a tad frustrated as I don't want to get malnourished and everyday life is tough when you are afraid to eat at work, in public etc.

I didn't even know plication patients got sick or slimed?

Any thoughts?

deb

My recommendations for post-op diet after plication surgery:

Week One: liquid foods that don't require chewing such as, applesauce, pureed Soups, Jell-O, pudding, popsicles, anything in a blender or food processor. The idea here is the stomach is healing and there is swelling and we want the stomach to be lazy during the healing period.

Weeks Two and Three: soft and mushy foods. Most food is soft and mushy if you take a small bite and chew extremely well and eat slow. The idea here is that you are easing your smaller stomach into foods of thicker consistency.

The plicated stomach certainly has swelling after surgery making things tighter for a bit. Post-op swelling varies quite a bit from one patient to the next. Some patients have lots of swelling and they may struggle with liquids until the swelling goes down; other patients have no trouble eating and drinking after surgery.

Having difficulty drinking or eating after plication is likely due to swelling that should go down considerably by 2-4 weeks post-op. We certainly don't want to make the plication too tight because this may cause continued difficulty even after the swelling goes down.

Many times Pasta is too rubbery especially if microwaved. Much restaurant food is rubbery and better to eat freshly prepared food at home if possible. We've also learned that it is best to drink liquids between meals, stop drinking once you eat solid food and then wait one hour after a meal before drinking. This reduces the chance of the food wanting to come back up and also helps you stay full longer which helps to maximize weight loss.

Brad Watkins MD