RED color in clears M.D. said NO

[fatticus ratticus 0]

I thought this situation that was posted by a member named SirenSiren could be something eveyone could learn from in their PRE surgery situations, and REFERENCE it if they are experiencing the same problem - so i wanted to post the answer i gave here in tags relating to RED COLORING in liquids or red jellos in your "clears" intake - hope it helps someone out there - and even if your MD did not specify NO RED COLORED STUFF in your liquids before surgery - its still a good idea to avoid RED COLORED Jello and red tinged liquids before ANY gastric surgery just because it CAN make it harder to visualize small bleeders - although most very experienced surgeons probably would NOT have a problem with it - STILL -

it never hurts to do everything you can to make it easier on your surgeon in any way you can - and help yourself to an optimal surgical outcome :smile1:

SirenSiren stated that she was on "clears" before surgery and she ate Red Cherry Jello and other stuff that was tinted red and she was now seeing red in her stools and it was making her nervous -

this is the answer that was given -

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Siren - speaking as a nurse - you are probably just seeing the food coloring of cherry jello -

Clear Liquids are what you should be taking in -

NO colored stuff - ESPECIALLY RED colored liquids - it can make visualizing blood in your stomach and intestines hard to spot -

at least this is what i was told by a gastroenterologist when i used to schedule his procedures - and when i myself had a scope procedure i also had to take CLEAR liquids and was expressly forbidden RED COLORED liquid food items -

on the other hand i was allowed yellow jellos, lemonades, and popsicles - :smile1: - so just stop the RED STUFF and start drinking some clear sodas like sprite - the carbonation can help clear the red off the membranes -

regardless of all this - you DO need to call your doctors nurse thats on call and report the situation - but im sure this is the reason your seeing red and wouldn't worry about it - just get the OK for the clear soda as it does contain alot of sodium -

siren you're gonna do GREAT!! and im SO happy for u in your WLS and the beginning of a new healthier you! :biggrin2:

[sirensiren 67]

Thank you!

His assistant said it was OK. but I hate Jell-O and I'm going to avoid it because what you say just makes sense- red is the color of blood, it's probably best NOT to stain my insides the same color as my vital fluid! =0

At least I found this out 3 days prior to surgery, rather than the day before. This will give me a chance to really "clear" things out. I'd rather have my broth and just chew some gum or suck on a mint if I need something "sweet".

[hunydew2262 7]

I'm also an RN. A clear liquid diet doesn't have anything to do with the color of the food, but rather the clarity of the food. You have to eat foods that you can see through. Apple juice would be okay, orange juice wouldn't be okay.

I wasn't allowed to have anything with red food coloring several days before a GI proceedure because the surgeon didn't want the membranes stained or, as has been posted, confuse red food for blood. Hope this helps.

HD

[Rootman 1,101]

Makes sense.

On a lighter note: I know a gal who worked in a medical center who saw a mother and daughter come in complaining about bright green stools, they were really concerned as they were like florescent green, until one doctor really quizzed them on their diet. Seems that both of them had consumed 2 or more tubes of Christmas cookie dough, the type with the Christmas tree in the center! Coupla' thousand bucks in tests and X-rays only to find out it was the dye in the cookie dough. Some people are genuinely stupid :smile1:

[fatticus ratticus 0]

On a lighter note: I know a gal who worked in a medical center who saw a mother and daughter come in complaining about bright green stools, they were really concerned as they were like florescent green, until one doctor really quizzed them on their diet. Seems that both of them had consumed 2 or more tubes of Christmas cookie dough, the type with the Christmas tree in the center!

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LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oooooh rootman!! THAT IS FUUUUUUNNY!!! :biggrinjester: