How the Pre-op Diet is Feeling Post-op

[alwaysvegas 702]

OK, so for all you fine folks who are in the wild throes of the pre-op all-liquid diet...I'm now six days POST-op and my surgeon requires the all-liquid + shakes diet to continue for two weeks post-surgery. So that's FOUR weeks total pre- and post-surgery to this all-liquid beast and I wanted to share how it's feeling for me as I can now easily compare the pre- and post-surgery sensations.

Pre-op

So the first few days of the pre-op diet weres a bit rough, but did get much better after the third day or so. I did basically graze all day on different shakes, broths, Mio-Water, etc. The second week actually went quite fast...much faster than the first. At some point my body just adjusted to the all-liquid diet and cravings were less, but still there. I was still eating 10-12 sugar free popsicles a day, for example. I would also ravenously suck down a 10-12 oz shake (I make them with ice and only 1/2 scoop powder) in under 2 minutes flat lol. I probably drank 4-5 cups of broth a day. I can't remember how many runs I made to the store for more damn broth. Overall, I was taking in about 1,000 calories a day.

As I was prepping for surgery, I was talking with my buddy who came with me that I was hoping that my hunger would evaporate because I was dreading two more weeks of all-liquids.

Post-op

I was not allowed do drink anything until the morning after my surgery and then only after my leak test. They had me on IV fluids, so any sort of thirst was minimal. I did manage 1/2 cup of broth and 1/2 cup Decaf iced tea over about 8 hours. No hunger whatsoever. The idea of food was nice and I could smell other breakfasts, lunches, etc. But I didn't have any craving at all for actual food.

I also was standing outside the hospital waiting for my ride when I smelled BBQ nearby. Smelled awesome, but no cravings for some. Simply awesome!

So, fast forward to my first full day home from surgery (this is day four post-surgery) and I'm testing out my liquid tolerance. My surgeon/nutritionist want 64oz minimum of liquids and 60g Protein. I chose Isopure because it's liquid+protein and not thick like a shake. I actually don't mind the taste of Isopure, but I think it's totally worth it for the protein. I could handle about 1 oz of liquid (Isopure) every 20-30 minutes. My pouch would fill up (I could hear it through my mouth...weird!) and if I overdrank it felt like a trapped burp. Not painful, just a bit uncomfortable. By mid-day, I could handle 2 oz of liquid every 10-15 minutes and that seemed to be my rhythm. Broth felt great on my new tummy. No nausea at all...zero.

So, by the end of the first full day home (fourth day since surgery) I was able to drink 56 oz total of shakes + Isopure and got like 80g of protein. Protein is easy.

What's interesting is that I never felt hungry. I was deliberately keeping myself well-hydrated by drinking every 10-15 mins or so, but when I got to a shake I wasn't ravenous for something food-like. I just enjoyed the taste...and very slowly at that.

By the second full day (day 5 post-surgery) I took in over 100oz of liquid and about 110g protein. Maybe a bit much on the protein, but it was great. Liquids drained through my itty bitty tummy quite fast and I could take small sips and even small gulps almost continuously and never really fill up.

So now I'm six days out and am driving around and shopping at strip malls and food everywhere. It all smells wonderful. I don't feel physically full, but I feel more like I just had a full meal a few hours before, so I'm just sated, though I could eat if I wanted to. So it's like, "Smells great, don't crave it."

Also, my taste buds have not changed at least for the shakes and broths. They all taste the same as pre-surgery.

I'm taking in about 600-700 calories a day. I should feel ravenous, but I feel wonderful. I feel very content.

Hope that helps some of you who are struggling with the pre-op and I hope your experience is a positive one as mine has been thus far!

Edited August 3, 2014 by AlwaysVegas

[Cariboom 13]

You're the same date as me and it sounds like our plans are roughly the same. I have drank too fast a couple times and now know what "full" feels like. I am not sure that I am craving or hungry per-se, but my body feels like it wants something but doesn't know how to tell me what that is. Not having problems with fluids whatsoever, thank goodness.

I am looking for a savory or at least less-sweet option and plain custard sounds really good right now. We're allowed yogurt and very soft things on day 7, so I am looking forward to trying some.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

To Always Vegas, the OP of this thread ...

Now THAT is what I call a helpful post. Thank you so much.

Those are some excellent lab notes. You're a scientist.

[alwaysvegas 702]

am looking for a savory or at least less-sweet option and plain custard sounds really good right now. We're allowed yogurt and very soft things on day 7, so I am looking forward to trying some.

Congratulations on your sleeve! I also do find having something a bit savory does taste great. I'm really big on spices, so adding different spices to a broth helps a lot for me. I can add a smidge of soy sauce, ginger, garlic powder, and onion powder and it has a great asian flair to the broth. For lunch today I added cumin, red chili powder, dried cilantro, dash of hot sauce (new tummy doesn't mind spices yay). Because I don't really feel hungry it does fill the flavor I was looking for with just broth. I love it!

Edited August 3, 2014 by AlwaysVegas

[alwaysvegas 702]

To Always Vegas, the OP of this thread ...

Now THAT is what I call a helpful post. Thank you so much.

Those are some excellent lab notes. You're a scientist.

Thank you so much VSGAnn2014! My biggest question during support groups and what I was always looking for online was people explaining how the sleeve feels, how the hunger feels, how does full feel. And it seems alot of pre-op folks love that info also. So glad you find it helpful. Of course, different people have somewhat different experiences.

[Cariboom 13]

Congratulations on your sleeve! I also do find having something a bit savory does taste great. I'm really big on spices, so adding different spices to a broth helps a lot for me. I can add a smidge of soy sauce, ginger, garlic powder, and onion powder and it has a great asian flair to the broth. For lunch today I added cumin, red chili powder, dried cilantro, dash of hot sauce (new tummy doesn't mind spices yay). Because I don't really fill hungry it does fill the flavor I was looking for with just broth. I love it!

Oh, that's a great idea! I am going to try that tonight!

[BeagleLover 1,020]

@@alwaysvegas, thanks for the very helpful information and positive vibe!!!

[alwaysvegas 702]

@@alwaysvegas, thanks for the very helpful information and positive vibe!!!

You're very welcome and glad you're finding the information helpful!

[Cody's mom 247]

Always Vegas - you said "So, by the end of the first full day home (fourth day since surgery) I was able to drink 56 oz total of shakes + Isopure and got like 80g of Protein. Protein is easy". You were drinking 56 oz of shakes and Isopure? Were the shakes protein and is the isopure protein? I go next month and am trying to get my ducks in a row with all the great advice I'm finding here and hopefully will have a succesful surgery and recovery, although I know everyone is different.

Congratulations on your sleeve! I also do find having something a bit savory does taste great. I'm really big on spices, so adding different spices to a broth helps a lot for me. I can add a smidge of soy sauce, ginger, garlic powder, and onion powder and it has a great asian flair to the broth. For lunch today I added cumin, red chili powder, dried cilantro, dash of hot sauce (new tummy doesn't mind spices yay). Because I don't really feel hungry it does fill the flavor I was looking for with just broth. I love it!

So, by the end of the first full day home (fourth day since surgery) I was able to drink 56 oz total of shakes + Isopure and got like 80g of protein. Protein is easy.

[alwaysvegas 702]

You were drinking 56 oz of shakes and Isopure? Were the shakes Protein and is the isopure Protein? I go next month and am trying to get my ducks in a row with all the great advice I'm finding here and hopefully will have a succesful surgery and recovery, although I know everyone is different.

Hi Cody'smom--

Congratulations in advance and all your research will pay off! You will feel more and more confident going into surgery and know what to expect when you're done.

As for liquid counts, my nutritionist said that I should count shakes and liquids (IsoPure, Water, broth, Jell-o) all in my liquid counts.

I have some different Protein Shakes. I got my insurance to pay for Premiere Protein Shakes through Insure Nutrition. I also make my own shakes using Body Fortress Protein Powder (chocolate or vanilla from Wal Mart) + unsweetened almond milk + sugar free Torani syrups for various flavors.

Isopure is a Protein Drink. It's like juice with 40g protein per 20oz. Many people really hate the taste of Isopure, so you should test a few flavors out to see if it's to your liking. They're not cheap...about $4.00-5.00 per 20oz bottle and most commonly at GNC and Vitamin Shoppe. I ordered a couple cases via Vitamin Shoppe online. But I liked that I could tackle liquid + protein in one drink and not with just protein shakes.

Hope that helps!

Edited August 3, 2014 by AlwaysVegas

[Tamlyn 107]

That's how I feel, too. I'm five days out, still on Clear liquids, and I can pretty much drink as much as I want as long as I don't drink fast or take big swallows.

But I definitely agree... food looks and smells appealing, but not in that "I gotta have some" way. It's WEIRD!

One thing I've been doing with my broth is I bought a few packs of frozen Soup veggies and cooked one in the broth along with a couple of sliced up cloves of garlic, and then strained them out. That definitely made it more interesting, and one bag of vegetables flavored two quarts of broth.

[alwaysvegas 702]

One thing I've been doing with my broth is I bought a few packs of frozen Soup veggies and cooked one in the broth along with a couple of sliced up cloves of garlic, and then strained them out. That definitely made it more interesting, and one bag of vegetables flavored two quarts of broth.

Wonderful idea! I'm going to try that. Thanks Tamlyn.

Another trick is that I use Guar Gum to thicken the broth a bit. Guar Gum is basically a Fiber and gives the broth a glossy-type texture, much like cornstarch does. That adds a whole new dimension to the broth without adding carbs.