Not really sure I'm happy with my gastric sleeve surgery choice

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Pinklady, I'll say again what others have said above ...

Different surgeons give different post-op instructions for their patients to follow.

You have to contact YOUR surgeon and get him or someone on his staff to explain to you what YOUR post-operative eating instructions are.

You can't ask us what OUR surgeons' post-op programs were. For one thing, we don't know how large or how tightly your surgeon built YOUR new stomach. This isn't a phase you can treat like a recipe-swapping phase.

Again, everyone's post-op instructions are highly individualized. Don't go "shopping" here for instructions you would prefer to follow than the ones your surgeon has asked you to follow. Ask YOUR surgeon's office what YOU should do.

And if you don't understand their instructions, ask them to explain the instructions.

Best wishes.

[pinklady08619 4]

Get ann lady!

I was just curious as to what other ppl are doing?last time I checked this was for advice... Or maybe I'm wrong !!! In sticking to the instructions that were given to me don't worry about that I was just a little curious to what others do. ????

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Get ann lady!

I was just curious as to what other ppl are doing?last time I checked this was for advice... Or maybe I'm wrong !!! In sticking to the instructions that were given to me don't worry about that I was just a little curious to what others do.

Smart lady. Best wishes.

[Pac-woman 325]

Look my blogs, i have a doc with recipes

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

I had to attend a 2 hour class with my bariatric centers nutritionist to explain every part of the new way of eating from pre op to years down the road. In fact it is a requirement that you attend before they will submit to insurance for approval. It is spelled out very clearly. I am sorry your center did not provide the necessary information to you. I feel very fortunate in that respect. Best of luck in learning what you need to know

[Pac-woman 325]

I am in Florida and I wasn't told to go to a seminar or class. I got tidbits from the dietician and me reading online. Maybe the class would have helped. I wonder if it would have changed my mind??

I am having a hard time eating.

I had to attend a 2 hour class with my bariatric centers nutritionist to explain every part of the new way of eating from pre op to years down the road. In fact it is a requirement that you attend before they will submit to insurance for approval. It is spelled out very clearly. I am sorry your center did not provide the necessary information to you. I feel very fortunate in that respect. Best of luck in learning what you need to know

[pinklady08619 4]

See and I find this all very interesting . Thanks

[WL WARRIOR 692]

My clinic requires that you attend a 6 hour training two weeks before surgery. The nutritionist, surgeon, and head nurse go over the post op eating plan in detail along with what to expect during the hospital stay and after. They also give patients a 100+ page guide to take home. You have to pass a 50 question test after the training is over to show that you fully comprehend the guidelines and expectations of the surgery and eating plan. As long as you listened during the presentations at the training, the test was quite easy.

[pinklady08619 4]

My clinic requires that you attend a 6 hour training two weeks before surgery. The nutritionist, surgeon, and head nurse go over the post op eating plan in detail along with what to expect during the hospital stay and after. They also give patients a 100+ page guide to take home. You have to pass a 50 question test after the training is over to show that you fully comprehend the guidelines and expectations of the surgery and eating plan. As long as you listened during the presentations at the training, the test was quite easy.

Hey mr Warrior!!! I love that idea!!! And at least I wouldn't be kinda lost and confused!!!! But anyways I did attend some classes and I am going to go look through my notes ... My only hope is I can understand my hand writting

[LSF 264]

You can't go wrong with Protein Shakes right now

[auntiem0502 17]

I was required to attend a Nutrition Class, and got a handout describing what is allowed in each "phase". Although I still have a few questions before surgery. My date is 3-6. Lap Sleeve.

Week 1: Clear liquids (broth, Water, Crystal Light, SF Popsicles)

Week 2: liquids, also includes SF pudding, Greek Yogurt, Cream of Wheat, Tomato, Butternut Squash Soups. Unsweetened applesauce

Week 3&4: Puréed (Baby food, whipped Low fat Peanut Butter, almond butter,)

Week 5: Ground meats, string cheese etc.

You should still get more instructions from your Dr., I'm not sure why, but everyone on here has different guidelines per their surgeon. My surgeon group/dietician doesn't like Protein shakes etc. But I'll be asking about the Unflavored no carb whey/isolate powder to add to Soup.

[Pac-woman 325]

Here is the document I got

http://www.bariatricpal.com/blog/9892/entry-33688-gastric-sleeve-documents-interesting-info-and-recipes/

[alwaysvegas 702]

This thread presents a great point. If you are pre-op and considering a surgeon, then the surgeon's office/nutritionist should provide you with detailed pre-op/post-op phased diet plans, including do/don't foods for each phase, timelines, etc. If the surgeon's office is not providing that information, then I highly suggest you: 1. Run away, 2. Consult with another surgeon.

The sleeve is only part of the weight-loss process. A comprehensive dietary plan is essential to our healing and long-term success. You should become as familiar you as you can with the pre-op and post-op process, including dietary guidelines. The less surprised, the better. You have so many lifestyle changes to make, so it's best to be as prepared as possible.

One recommendation I always like to give is to learn to cook your own food if possible so that you know what's going into your body. Even an average post-op mushies phase, which has limited ingredients, you can make thousands of recipes.

Best of luck to everyone.

Edited February 18, 2015 by AlwaysVegas

[Stevehud 1,790]

there are radically different programs for all prior to surgery. Mine was thre visits with the doctor, 4 visits with the nutritionist, 2 visits with a psych specialist and my barium swallow, and cardiac stress test, plus bloodwork, and an ekg. i also had appointments at 2 weeks 6 weeks and next up in 3 months. so everyone is a bit different.

Also sugar free Jello is your friend during liquids, and after too, it at least gives you the illusion of chewing. lol

Goo dluck!

You can do this!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Project me

( I love your picture she's my fav we are Disney ppl over here )

Forgive me while in trying to get the hang of the this whole thing! But yes I got instructions but I feel like nothing makes sense ! I know I was under some heavy medications but tomorrow will be a week since surgery now I was under the impression I was suppose to have Clear Liquids only and just Protein shakes ... That's what the paper I have says for stage 1

Then stage 2 yogurts and mushy stuff . But I keep reading things and talking to ppl and hearing different things. So I was curious to what other other people were instructed to do. I sip sip sip on Water all day along with Protein Shakes and so no sugars clear treats but this is getting annoying and I'm starting to feel like maybe it was mistake

I'm still confused. Were you given verbal instructions, a written note, actual handouts? If you do a search you'll see that every program and protocol is different. I received an actual handbook with specific instructions and sample menus. During those first few weeks this handbook was literally my bible of sorts. I saved myself many a call to the nutritionist by consulting my handbook. Never once did I think, "well so and so on Bariatric Pal is eating this or that."

If the nutritionist is on vacation, ask for the nurse. You should not be unsure about what you can/cannot eat drink.