The Clears.... The Clears!

[ATeam 38]

Hey guys! So I had a very successful surgery on December 13th, and am now at home getting along just fine.

.....Except for one problem: I CANNOT HANDLE ANY MORE CLEAR LIQUIDS!

I was on one week clears pre-op, and breezed through it! I even had moreenergy than before. No issues with it at all. Now, post- surgery, I am on the same diet, but I cannot have any Protein powders at all. I am extremely hungry. I also find that my tastebuds have changed, and all the SF Jell-O, Gatorade, juice, etc etc tastes so sweet and grossly fake. The company I went through (not the surgeon) advocates 2 weeks from my leak test of clears, then 2 weeks of full liquids, then 2 weeks of mushies, then 2 weeks of soft. Does this seem intense to anyone else? I'm not even dying for things I can chew, just some strained mushroom Soup or something!

I need some advice (as I feel I am truly going crazy). One week post op, am I ok to have full liquids? Or something? Anything?

[luv-a-bull 7]

We are sleeve sisters! I am glad you had a successful surgery. I am hungry too but am on full liquids. I too am on restriction until 8 weeks postop just a slightly different schedule. Can you add beneprotein to your clears? Also, dont hesitate to call your NUT and explain what youre felling. Hang in there and every day is a day closer to goal.

[guzel 11]

Two weeks at each stage is a long time. I felt the same way today. I had my surgery on the 14th and couldn't stand it anymore. I feel so weak and dizzy I had to eat something so I tore into a pudding cup. Well I got half way through and had to stop because my sleeve started to spasm. Now I feel better so I'll try to stick to clears again. My Dr wants 7-10 days. Good luck with your remaining time on clears.

[ginajeans 4]

I completely understand what you are going through. Tomorrow I will be 14 days out. I am on sf clears until 4wks post op. 6wks total if you count 2 wks pre op. I was allowed Protein starting day 8. It's hard when you see that others are quickly able to move on to other foods and drinks. I did allow myself Gatorade and regular juice when I was feeling weak though. It's definitely a struggle for me too. I have to say my diet is far more strict.....no meat until week 9?! Hang in there sis.

[Capt Derel 287]

From what I gather from almost ALL the people with complications are due to them going to fast advancing with their diets. I did notice one guy that ate apple sauce which is acidic only 3 days post op. to no surprise an abscess formed. So now due to my research I am now a firm believer that full liquids as long as you can in order for your stomach to heal properly. Note it takes an average of 14 days for scar tissue to completely cover the staples. So logically you dont want to hinder the natural healing process with solids or semi solids.

I am not a doctor but I have had plenty of cuts and scrapes to learn from lol

(null)

[Less of Leslie 90]

My surgeon and NUT have a 1 week progression towards full, 1 week to puree, 1 week to soft. Soft will last 2 weeks. Talk to your Nut and see if you can have full liquids a little early. some Drs are pretty strict.

[juli916 6]

Our program is 3 days Clear Liquids, 2 weeks full liquid, 2 weeks pureed Protein, then soft foods. I would think at 1 week out you could handle cream Soups. Strain them thoroughly and give it a shot. Everyone's programs are different, but our bodies are too. You need to get through this journey physically and emotionally too. If some Soup will make you feel better, I say go for it!

If you have calcium chews, they really help those first few weeks. Chewing something, anything, helps you feel "normal"

[LGoz 4]

I agree 100% on the calcium chews !! I look forward to them 3 times a day.. They taste like a carmel candy

[Lissa 2,631]

I agree with the others, call your nutritionist and let him or her know how you are feeling. Also, some others have had good results by chewing ice. I was allowed SF popsicles while on clears, which gave me something to chew.

You definitely don't want to advance without medical guidance, though. Those restrictions are in place to (hopefully) keep you from having physical problems while your new sleeve heals.

I know it seems like forever now, but you'll soon be on to the next stage and then back on regular food and this stage will seem like it went by really fast.

Good luck!! So glad you're on the loser's bench!!

[BrownDoesAll 409]

Listen to your DOC

[Deigh 15]

I finally hit full liquids yesterday at day 11 and I am so glad. I had a four week liquid preop and then 10 days of clears plus 3 days of full. I agree it stinks but I just had to push through it. I was allowed SF popsicles like Lissa and those helped A LOT.

I emailed my NUT and she was really nice about giving me some good suggestions about how to get a little variety into my clear liquid diet. She said even though you have to strain them, to get a variety of Soups so you get different flavors. That was helpful because I felt like I had nothing different to eat. She reminded me I could have hot chocolate which felt like a treat.

You can do it. Soon we'll be on mushy/pureed!

[ATeam 38]

Thanks so much for the advice and support guys! I am officially 8 days out and have made the executive decision to move on to very gentle full liquids ( skim milk, YOP, strained cream Soups, etc). I am sipping a skim hot chocolate right now! So good This will especially help since today is in-law family Christmas... merry Christmas to me!