Eating after Surgery Question

[JasonSWrench 3]

OK, I'm basically two weeks after my surgery. The first week was basically Water and crystal light. Last week and this was/is EAS Advantage shakes three times a day. That's what I was supposed to be doing.

However, I had family here last week and I ended up having to go out to eat with them throughout the week (a personal form of hell). Not only did I not want to look at food, I didn't want to smell food, but I couldn't avoid it because I had to be a good host. I ultimately, ended up having some Soup without anything in it throughout the week (a broth here, a cream of Soup there), but I did relatively ok. There were a few times that I know I accidentally ate something within one of the Soups that I shouldn't have eaten (like a pea or an onion sliver). Yesterday, I even broke down and ate a piece of hard-boiled egg.

My worry is that I'm actually causing myself harm by adding these little things to my diet, which is supposed to be 3 meal-supplement shakes a day right now.

Am I actually causing myself harm, or am I ok with adding a little soft food two weeks after surgery?

[kiz 1]

Every doctor has their reasons (I'd like to know what they are!) for such different pre and post op diets. I had full liquids for week one, mushies for weeks 2 and 3, and a regular diet starting week 4. With the small amount of slips you've had, I'm sure you'll be fine. You might want to call your doctor if you're worried.

[ladybugchaser 0]

Jason...buddy....don't beat yourself up. If those were your only slip ups!! You're doing great!

While we all agree each of us should follow our own doctors orders...I am 2 wks out as well. Doc told me...you can eat anything you could get through a straw (BUT NEVER USE A STRAW)...mashed potatoes/gravy, pudding, applesauce, Soups from my favorite restaurant (run them though the blender if that makes you feel better!! It did for me! No chunks). I sneak Protein powder in practically everything I eat as well.

A coworker of mine who was banded 2 years ago yelled at me (in a joking way) for having a saltine cracker in my hand..she said..I am just kidding...anything you can get down to 'mush' in your mouth is fine.

I do the EAS Protein drinks too. LOVE EM.

GOOD LUCK!! Everyday you are getting closer to normal foods!! WHOOP!

[amberstar 1]

i started eating regular food after 2wks. first week liquids only, second week was Protein Shakes, mashed potatoes, pudding....etc. And then I started regular food. I did fine. Just be sure and chew very well and I think you'll be fine. Good luck!

[MacMadame 81]

Your doctor's diet is much more restrictive than most. The idea is to not eat anything too early that will make your stomach churn and interfere with the scar tissue being formed around your band to hold it in place. That's why doctors say things like "clear liquid" or "thin liquids" or "full liquids" at first and gradually moving up to soft/mushie/pureed foods and then to regular food.

Therefore, if you can drink an EAS shake, you can drink a Muscle Milk shake. If you can drink crystal light, you can have sugar free Jello. Etc.

Your stomach doesn't know the difference between a sugar free popsicle and Crystal light or between an EAS shake and some other brand of shakes. As for Soups, broth is on both a clear liquid and a thin liquid so it qualifies for the first two weeks under any doctor's plan, I've seen. I wouldn't even consider it cheating.

But hard-boiled eggs do not. So cut those out -- even just a bite! :thumbdown:

If I were you, I'd call the docs office and tell him you can't take the EAS shakes any more and ask for more foods you can eat. You'll go crazy trying to just eat one thing all day, day in and day out, and risk do something bad to your stomach. I can't believe he hasn't had patients in this situation before and hasn't got some alternatives for you.

[sassy37 0]

Im 4 days post op , and Im to be on a month of liquids :cursing:

Well Its not so bad at the mo , as its only early days , but in a couple/few weeks Im guessing I will get very bored & possibly hungry ?

All surgeons seem to have their own post diet plans .

At the mo Im having slim fast diluted with Water , Soups diluted with Water , Im making up fortified milk and adding some low cal hot choc , low fat ovaline and water & sugar free squash .

I also purchased crystal light off of e bay as Im in the uk , and yummy I like that , I add it to my water to jazz it up .

Wishing u all well :thumbdown:

Sas:thumbup:

[P-Body 0]

first of all, if these people care about you, they should surely be able to understand that you aren't really up to dining out yet. I wouldn't even plan any house guests while in recovery. You sound very considerate but I think after a major surgery you need to consider yourself first.

second of all, I am confused about the diet too. My doctor is in Thailand and has provided only misinformation so far as I can make out. I don't have a reliable bariatric doctor here (shanghai) so I am just piecing things together myself based on what I have read. I did liquid diet for 1 week, then mushies with 1 Protein drink per day for this week and then introduce puree meat and veg. and continue the Protein shake. I hope that seems ok. I have to make my own desisions here.

[Judy_AL 0]

I am one week today after surgery. I am on full liquids for two weeks and then move up the diet process chain. And on a full liquid you can have the cream of Soups - check with your dietian that you met with they should be able to help you with more choices too.

[angelaobrn 0]

My doc put me on full liquids until my follow-up on Friday, which i'm very thankful for. I can barely stand this, so i'm sure a week of crystal light would have really pushed me over the edge.

I've been on the Protein drinks too though, myoplex in my case. it's really terrible, but powdered myoplex was cheaper, so i bought it. i found that throwing it in the blender with ice was nice for variety. i miss texture. it's also more volume, so it's more filling.

i want coffee and something green. broccoli, salad, anything green

and i identify with the guilt: i've been beating myself up over fat free push ups, because they aren't sugar free. 70 calories. i love them. i'm just trying to keep it in perspective: a month ago, i would have had ben and jerry's, with hot fudge.

baby steps.

Edited October 2, 2008 by angelaobrn