How long does it take for you to eat solid foods after surgery

[TTL 6]

I have heard it takes a week or 2 on liquid diet after surgery and 2 weeks after that purred food? I just wonder if this seems turn for others or if not what did you doctor tell you... Thanks for all comments in advance!

[SassySenior 111]

Good question. I've wondered the same thing myself.

[SpaceDust 585]

It really seems to vary by doctor, but in general the usual seems to be 4-6 weeks out to start regular foods. For mine, it looks like I'll be able to start a regular diet after 4 weeks, assuming all goes well, of course!

[Lesley88 3]

I had my two week check up today & my doctor said 3 weeks liquid diet.. then the following 3 weeks puréed food.. then solids

[Jenn125 6]

I had my sleeve surgery on March 5 and my first post op appointment yesterday (the 14th). Before I was on a full liquid diet but yesterday I was cleared to start eating soft foods. My next appointment is in 2 weeks and I should be cleared to start a regular diet at that time. Hope this helps.

[outrigger42 58]

If you go onto university of missouri and find their bariatric section, the ay have week by week diet. Very concervative

[Sassygirl06 962]

I was on liquid diet for two weeks, then soft for two weeks. After that everything was allowed. I took my time anyways because I was terrified of leaks. It seems like forever while you are recovering, but during that time you lose so much that it seems worth it too. I look back on my recovery now and it seems like it was really fast. You will do fine.

[onelessfatgirl 103]

My dr and nut have a basic plan they endorse. Week 1 post op clear liquid diet. Weeks 2 & 3 pureed foods. Weeks 4 & 5 smushed foods. Week 6 begins solid foods but very conservatively. No real fruits and veggies (canned or frozen only) until week 12 post op due to the fibrous skins.

On paper 6 weeks till solid food may seem a long time but in stage 3 (smushies) I can eat canned tuna or chicken if I break it up real good. I can also have yogurt, scrambled eggs, and soft cheeses before the solid stage.

But being 3 days post op I really have no interest in anything food like at the moment.

[Amanda626 153]

Everyvdrvis different. I am 1 weekbtoday and was cleared forvsoft foods yesterday.

[SassySenior 111]

I guess what I really wonder is what's the rationale a doctor uses, who for example, thinks you need 2 weeks of liquids, 2 weeks of soft, liked mashed potatoes, before you can do anything else. There are other doctors who say no, just 2-3 days of liquids, 1 week of soft and then slowly introduce real food.

I used to think it was based on your BMI, because that is the criteria used for the pre-op diet. If you have a low enough BMI, you may not have to be on a restrictive diet. But if you have a high BMI, like me 68, then you have to be on liquids to try and shrink the liver. That makes sense to me.

But once surgery is over, what, if anything, do you think is the criteria doctors use to determine the type of diet you should be on? Just because a doctor likes the conservative approach, unless there's a good reason for it, I'm gonna eat soft food as soon as I can.

I also started a thread on Water, which I'd like answers to. It's called "Water ... Water ... Why?"

BTW Hooray and congrats for you newly sleeved folks. I'm really happy for you. I can't wait!

Thanks all you guys for answering our newbie questions!

[SerendipityHappens 1,594]

If you go onto university of missouri and find their bariatric section, the ay have week by week diet. Very concervative

I have to agree with this statement.. It is MUCH more helpful than the post-op instructions my doctor gave me. I'm following the MU plan which is more conservative than my doctor's plan but it's so much more specific which I like.

[srpiccollo 19]

It is crazy how different every doctor is. Mine said start full liquids after surgery then change every 2 weeks. So liquids 2 weeks, puréed 2 weeks, soft 2 weeks then regular. I asked why so different and he said it is a personal preference of the doctor. My doctor said he likes to be conservative about it because some patients cheat and others will simply need more time to heal. So it is just easier to make all his patients use the same rules in case you fall in those categories. He said at the very least you usually lose more doing it that way too since you are not eating as much in these different stages and it seems to jump start your metabolism before you start your regular foods.

[amytug 996]

It is crazy how different every doctor is. Mine said start full liquids after surgery then change every 2 weeks. So liquids 2 weeks' date=' puréed 2 weeks, soft 2 weeks then regular. I asked why so different and he said it is a personal preference of the doctor. My doctor said he likes to be conservative about it because some patients cheat and others will simply need more time to heal. So it is just easier to make all his patients use the same rules in case you fall in those categories. He said at the very least you usually lose more doing it that way too since you are not eating as much in these different stages and it seems to jump start your metabolism before you start your regular foods.[/quote']

Your dr. Sounds very helpful.