Suddenly Afraid Of My Post-Op Diet

[kellyq 38]

I had my one week post op surgical appointment today and also met with the NUT. I was excited knowing I was moving to pureed foods today as per the plan by my surgeon. According to my surgeons plan, I can have eggs, yogurt, applesauce, tuna fish, canned chicken, ricotta, cottage cheese, cream of wheat.....etc.

Now that I got the OK to have these foods, I'm now afraid to have them as well. Ever since I've been reading these boards, I've been seeing that most people are on liquids only for 2-4 weeks post op. I then read about the "leaks" and well.....that scares me more!

The NUT did say if I was comfortable and wanted to stay on liquids a little longer, I could. The advice was to do just what I was comfortable with while staying within their plan.

I'm so confused.....

[Joisey01 87]

I can imagine there is comfort in the liquid diet. I'm not post-op yet so I'm not even in the frame of mind for the pureed stage. I do understand the fear, though. Does that make sense? I'll say some prayers for you. Do what you are comfortable with. Just remember you have to move forward eventually, tho.

[theoldmusicbox 399]

Try something small, and soft. Go slow. Take 1 bite, chew chew chew, put your fork down, wait a minute. If it goes down well, repeat.

I was very nervous when I got to soft foods, but after a week or so of liquids, my fat free retried Beans were heaven in my mouth.

Good luck

[amykins 202]

I'm only a few days out but will be on Clear Liquids for another 10 days before moving to thick liquids. I guess try something mushy like applesauce and take it slow. If the tummy acts up, go back to liquids for a day ot two. Good luck!

[Velena 122]

I just got sleeved Sept 5th and I'm afraid of the post op diet. So far it's been hard to keep sips of Water down, and each one hurts like crazy. I'm on this diet for 2 weeks, maybe by the end of the time period I'll be drinking better.

[sunfunmash 2]

Hi Velena, I;m a newbie and I haven't had my surgery yet so am reading everything like crazy on this board to learn as much as I can. I am concerned about the post-op diet too and you mentioned your having a little bit of a tough time. Can I ask why? I don't understand why it would actually "hurt" to drink a liquid, oh please explain, I'm so nervous right now-Is it just because your stomachs trying to heal and it hurts when anything touches it? Any advice would be appreciated. I hope you feel better very quickly!! Thanks! Leigh Ann

[nicole836 54]

How r u feeling overall??? Did u meet with Suzanne or ginger? I had my final pre-op tues with Suzanne! How did u manage week one with the liquids?? Y not take it slow.... Add 1 food a day untill u feel comfortable!

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[kellyq 38]

How r u feeling overall??? Did u meet with Suzanne or ginger? I had my final pre-op tues with Suzanne! How did u manage week one with the liquids?? Y not take it slow.... Add 1 food a day untill u feel comfortable!

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I'm feeling great. I can't believe 9 days post op, I can feel almost normal. Yes, I still have some minor pulling in the belly, but other than that nothing. This is making it hard to NOT overdue it. I could have easily gone back to work a few days ago. One thing totally not normal is I still can't sleep flat - either on my back or my side. When I do, it feels like my belly is so heavy, or like everything is all pressing on one side - it's hard to explain, but it's uncomfortable. So, I'm still sleeping propped up.

My NUT visit this week was with Ginger. Week 1 for me was a breeze. When you are not hungry - just drinking is perfectly fine and satisfying. Although I didn't get in ALL the liquids, I was pretty close. It's just strange how you can feel every sip all the way down.

As for food, I decided that I really should start eating. I'm sure Dr. Reich knows what's he doing and if he said to start eating, I really should!! So, today, I start 3 meals a day, even if I'm not hungry.

When is your surgery again? And out of curiosity, what town do you live in?

[ForMyfamily 84]

The morning after the second day in the hospital my Doc comes in. She said I had done wonderful even though spending the previous 2 days in ICU as a precaution. She then states to get some puree meat and such down and I would go home. Whoa there! I thought I had clear liquids then full liquids. What happened to all that information the Nut taught us? Well anyways sent home on puree diet and no problems as of now.

[Velena 122]

wow, I've been struggling to get liquids down, still haven't had a Protein Shake and this is my second day at home.

[LawDiva312 33]

I was sleeved 9/4 and came home yesterday. I was on Clear liquids in the hospital and now am on full liquids for 2 weeks. Had strained cream of chicken Soup when I got home yesterday (got down about 2 oz) and it tasted so good after only broth! Was able to drink 4 oz. of chocolate Boost high Protein last night and about 3 oz this morning. I am having trouble getting in enough Water because of so much gas pain. I keep doing as much as I can because I don't want to get dehydrated.

It's just such a drama to eat/drink. I can feel the whole process from mouth all the way down. It's so weird. And the gurgling/bubbling is crazy. I find it somewhat entertaining. It's cool to be able to really tell what your body is doing.

I don't know if it's the swelling or what but I can't tell when I'm full. I'm never hungry but I try to "eat" regular meals. I'm between 3-4 oz. but it's just so time-consuming and exhausting to do, I just stop. (plus, I surely don't want to overdo it). How do you guys know when you've had enough. Or haven't?

Thanks

[LawDiva312 33]

Hi Velena' date=' I;m a newbie and I haven't had my surgery yet so am reading everything like crazy on this board to learn as much as I can. I am concerned about the post-op diet too and you mentioned your having a little bit of a tough time. Can I ask why? I don't understand why it would actually "hurt" to drink a liquid, oh please explain, I'm so nervous right now-Is it just because your stomachs trying to heal and it hurts when anything touches it? Any advice would be appreciated. I hope you feel better very quickly!! Thanks! Leigh Ann[/quote']

For me, the pain in the hospital was I think swelling from the tube they put down my throat. I felt burning even with every sip of Water in my lower esophagus and stomach. And I think the stomach is just kind of raw from the surgery. I'm 4 days out and it's getting better. Some stuff like medicine still burns but now I really only feel burning with water/"food" because of gas. It kind of feels like every sip creates a big gas bubble at the esophageal sphincter and you have lots of burps. I just slow down (even though it seems I'm sipping such a tiny bit already) and it seems to help.

[nicole836 54]

I'm feeling great. I can't believe 9 days post op' date=' I can feel almost normal. Yes, I still have some minor pulling in the belly, but other than that nothing. This is making it hard to NOT overdue it. I could have easily gone back to work a few days ago. One thing totally not normal is I still can't sleep flat - either on my back or my side. When I do, it feels like my belly is so heavy, or like everything is all pressing on one side - it's hard to explain, but it's uncomfortable. So, I'm still sleeping propped up.

My NUT visit this week was with Ginger. Week 1 for me was a breeze. When you are not hungry - just drinking is perfectly fine and satisfying. Although I didn't get in ALL the liquids, I was pretty close. It's just strange how you can feel every sip all the way down.

As for food, I decided that I really should start eating. I'm sure Dr. Reich knows what's he doing and if he said to start eating, I really should!! So, today, I start 3 meals a day, even if I'm not hungry.

When is your surgery again? And out of curiosity, what town do you live in?[/quote']

I'm in Toms River. My surgery is set for sept 20! Just started pre op diet a few days ago! So far so good! So we r in ccu post op? Ok 1 "weird" question for ya lol.... What about foley? Did u have one in? When we're u able to use bathroom?

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[kellyq 38]

I'm in Forked River, I grew up in Toms River (Gilford Park Area).

You will stay your first day/night in CCU. I only found out about this the morning of surgery. He likes the extra care initially. You will move to the med/surg floor the next day after your swallow test.

While in CCU, they let you up with assistance to go bathroom (which is a toilet in the corner of the room with a curtain). They also get you out of bed and into a chair. They really don't allow walking at this stage for us. They prefer to assist with the in and out of bed, which I was actually grateful for. I did not have a foley, but I did have a JP drain. I'm not sure if everyone gets one or not.

The nurses in CCU were terrific and really on the ball. I never had to wait when calling for one. I did find it quite noisy though. All the rooms are steps away from the nurses desk. They can see in each room from where they sit. This made the overnight a bit noisy as they all seemed to gather to talk, and they weren't too quiet!

[nicole836 54]

Hey neighbor lol I'm in silverton! Been here for 10 yrs... Originally from Hudson/Bergen county!

Wow thank u so much for the " small details" they don't tell you!!!! Ahhh thank god no foley lol I knew about jp but was more worried about the other lmao!!!

Thank u again and I hope u get thru today and ur mooshie stage!!!!! Sounds like ur a trooper so far!!!!

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