Liquid Diet - one week or one month?

[purplecatlover 5]

I see many people on the site that are on a liquid diet for 1 week. My doc says 1 MONTH and I am struggling already. Is it safe to go on to puree after 1 or 2 weeks?

Thank you bunches!

[tbyrd316 10]

Well, I would always go with what your doc says, they have literally seen inside of you. That being said, from what I can tell from reading the forums, there appears to be a wide range of orders from different docs on this issue. My orders were 1 week Clear liquids, 1 week full liquids, i week pureed and then on to soft foods and regular diet as tolerated, however at my one week followup, I was told that the weeks are just a guidline and it does not have to be exact. I would contact your doc if you are having a hard time.

[bookgirl1972 8]

I have been surprised to see such disparity in post op diets. Mine was Clear Liquids till I was out of hospital. Then one week full liquid, one week, purée and two week soft. I didn't have a problem moving Through the stages quickly.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I was on full liquids for four weeks after surgery. That's my surgeon's plan. Did I like it? No. But I made a deal with myself at the outset of the process that I would follow my doctor's plan and not substitute either my judgment or the advice of internet strangers and their doctors whom I've never even met. I didn't choose those people to do my surgery, I chose my doctor. His plan for me is what I follow, not the plans of strangers.

And my own judgment around food has proven appallingly bad, which is why I ended up weighing over 300 lbs and needing bariatric surgery. So no way was I just going to wing it and do what I want. And in the end I made it through just fine and four weeks was not that long, looking back. Good luck to you!

Edited November 24, 2014 by Bufflehead

[bobbyswife 862]

What @@Bufflehead said.

[Forsythia 882]

I followed my surgeon's plan. Just so happened that I was on liquids in the hospital only, and on purees immediately upon discharge. That was about a week, then soft solids for a month before being approved for a general diet. It really does vary program to program. You should ask your nutritionist or surgeon what is their basis for the length of their stages. There has to be some logic as to why they chose to shape their program how they did. Might not make you feel better, but it is interesting to know why they are mandating what they are.

[PamJayne 4]

I have been on full liquids for four weeks now, 2 weeks pre op and 2 weeks post op and I can honestly say I have never been so sick of anything in my life - these last few days before I see my doctor have been hell. I dont want to eat anything because I am sick of all of it but have been forcing myself because I know the end results will be worth it. Good luck with your journey and just think it will be worth it in the end!

[scstxrn 213]

It obviously isn't killing most of the people who do it - but if you have complications related to not following the doctor's plan... who would you be most upset with?

[Kindle 8,667]

what bufflehead said... it's really not that long if you look at the big picture. Between pre and postop my liquid stage was over a month, but I would have done it for as long as my surgeon wanted. This is about your commitment to your health, not about what everyone else is doing.

use this time to get creative with your options.....try different flavors of shakes, use Torani SF syrups and PB2, mix unflavored Protein powder in broths and cream Soups. I rarely had the same thing in any given week (except my favorite chocolate banana shake and pureed/strained broccoli cheese Soup with Protein powder). No cheating in the world is worth a complication. Besides, you will come out the other side a whole lot stronger and proud of yourself.

Edited November 25, 2014 by Kindle

[Thenewnic 139]

Mine is clear liquids the first four days postop including clear Protein Shakes (blah) and then any Fluid until week two. From week two, three, and four I'm on soft solids he doesn't even require purée stage and then regular foods.

[bajagal101 59]

Does anyone know what the deference is between Clear Liquids and full liquids?

<a href='http://www.bariatricpal.com'><img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/tickers/147944-bajagal101/bodyweight.png?ts=1417145290' /></a>

Edited November 28, 2014 by bajagal101

[Forsythia 882]

@@bajagal101 Clear liquids are like chicken broth, Water, clear beverages you can see through (regardless of color) like Isopure. Full liquids are can be things like cream of mushroom Soup, or cream of chicken Soup. Any food or beverage that is liquid but you cannot see through were you to pour it into a clear glass vessel.

Edited November 25, 2014 by Forsythia