Liquid/soft food diet must haves?!

[hungry4health 20]

We all know Water and chicken broth, but does anyone have any suggestions on how to mix up the 2 weeks pre-surgery that involves Clear liquids??? And What are some of the best options for the soft foods stage?

I am so worried about doing the 2 weeks prior to surgery without my tool. I think with more variations, it might help!

[theother_onefoot 122]

I was all about that pickle allowance. One of the medium-big sour ones. Didn't eat one every day, but it really breaks up the sweet shakes and bland broths. Some sugar free Jello cups are nice too, just for texture.

As far as soft foods -- I'm just now getting into this/the pureed stage -- and my mom's spaghetti sauce without the meat is still awesome, I just add unflavored Protein to eat a quarter-cup. But really tender chili has gone over great, too. I got some chili from McAlisters (a Soup and sandwich shop) and did half regular and have vegetarian which is all Beans, mixed it up and eat a quarter cup at a time. Very yummy. I'm interested in some refried Beans next! Scrambled eggs are nice as long as they're still soft, but watch out if you go out somewhere and eat them. I heard IHOP puts some of their pancake batter in their eggs to make them fluffier and another person on the forums said they were much harder to eat. Cottage cheese is another soft food I'm glad to have back!

[hungry4health 20]

i didnt even know about a pickle allowance!!! thats good to know, i will have to double check that with my surgeon. Great tips, thank you!

[Marie Car 6]

hmmmm, i was told nothing with a tough skin, pickles have tough skin to me?

[LoggedOutForGood 233]

@@hungry4health Hello My two week pre-op diet allowed for FULL liquids, not just clear, and SF pudding saved my life! I also ate a lot of unsweetened applesauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon and SF popsicles!

24 hours before surgery and until the Friday after my surgery, I was on Clear Liquids only and I lived on SF Jell-O, diluted fruit juices (apple, white grape, cranberry) and again, SF popsicles. I got so tired of the broth!! I also drank a lot of Water with Crystal Light and Vitamin Water Zero.

You'll do fine! Best of luck to you =)

[theother_onefoot 122]

@@Marie Car -- Yes, pickles do have a tough skin. But pre surgery during the liquid phase, that's still okay! However afterwards, since the new tummy cannot handle it for a while, my NUT said the alternative is basically spooning the pickle out of its skin, haha. A little more tedious, but not if you really like pickles!

[toasty 371]

It all depends on your surgeon though. I am currently in my pre-op diet, and I am only allowed clear liquids and Protein drinks, no solid food whatsoever. No pudding, no pickles, no applesauce, just clear liquids.

I have been trying Miso Soup (with all of the tofu and other stuff strained out), which has been very tasty (I really like Japanese food). I have also tried chicken broth with Old Bay seasoning added, which is very yummy (nice spiciness to it).

SF Jello and SF popsicles, of course. I don't just stick with one Protein Drink, I try different ones to give me some variety (I use Premier Protein and Isopure right now).

For me, after surgery (which is this Friday, 9/11) when I get home I will be on "full liquids" for two weeks, which will include milk, blended Soups (like cream of tomato), and yogurt. I can hardly wait!

[theother_onefoot 122]

@@toasty - My NUT told me about this milk brand called Fairlife and it is SO good. It's higher in Calcium and Protein (13g per 8oz/1cup with the fat free one) and even though the fat free one is a skim version - they do have a whole milk version but I'm not supposed to drink that because of the fat, I assume - it isn't thin and watery at all. Highly recommend it if you can find some near you!

[India928 81]

I swore i was the only pickle feen.....lol we are kindred spirits! ESPECIALLY the HALF SOURS....yumm. i have recently developed a taste for pickles. Out of no where! Used to hate them up until four/five months ago.

[toasty 371]

@@theother_onefoot I've heard a couple of people on the boards talking about Fairlife. I will have to look into it. I am currently mildly lactose-intolerant, and I have heard that the lactose-intolerance increases after the surgery, so I may have to move to almond milk or something. But I will try Fairlife out first and see if I can tolerate it.

Thanks!

[kradtke5 19]

@@theother_onefoot I've heard a couple of people on the boards talking about Fairlife. I will have to look into it. I am currently mildly lactose-intolerant, and I have heard that the lactose-intolerance increases after the surgery, so I may have to move to almond milk or something. But I will try Fairlife out first and see if I can tolerate it.

Thanks!

Fairlife is actually lactose free!

[mishi 72]

For my two week pre op diet it was just 3-4 Protein shakes a day, broth, and Jello. I got tired of the broth and Jello very quickly and just stuck w the shakes.

The first 5 days were difficult but after that, the hunger was almost gone. I began doing a count down, reminded myself why I wanted to do this, and took it one day at a time.

My surgeon was pleased not just w the weight loss (26 pounds) but how much my liver had shrunk and how well the surgery went because I stuck with it, which made all the suckage of those two weeks worth it.

Just remember it's not forever.

[ccdomaika 12]

sugar free popsicles and beef broth is the only reason I made it through. I didn't have a pickle allowance, but I made one for myself LOL, a lil Pickle Juice every night did the trick.