4th Day Post-Op In need of Advice!

[Erika27 0]

I am 4 days post-op. I'm definitely excited about this journey athough a bit fearfull dietwise. My lap band surgery was performed in Mexico & I was told to carry out a Clear Liquids diet, which.....is really difficult. I truly am starving. I've seen that US surgeons or dietitians recommend certain Protein supplements, which in my opinion, is most adecuate. Considering the very low calorie intake I have at this point, I'm going to lose muscle mass!! I don't want that to happen. I don't want to overstress my band, and I'm willing to do everything in order to assure the placement of my band. Can someone give me some advice on how to take care of my band while still making sure my nutritional status isn't at risk. I would really really appreciate it!! THANKS!!

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Edited September 6, 2009 by Erika27

[dreark22 0]

I hope this helps...I had actually just gotten into a really healthy eating pattern when my surgery was approved so I shared your concerns. During the liquid phase, I drank Isopure clear...it's fruit flavored drinks similiar to gatorade but with 40 grams of Protein, no sugar, no carbs and 140 calories. Also, Crystal light makes some very good sugar free popsicles and chicken broth will help keep you regular (well it helped my friend and I during our liquid phases). Something about it just helps you go to the bathroom. That first week is really hard but it does get easier I promise.

As for the following weeks, try to add Protein wherever you can. For example, pureed egg whites don't add flavor to anything but add plenty of protein to a cream Soup or mash potatoes. They were really great mixed in with my cream of wheat in the morning for added protein. You can also add some pureed fruit to cream of wheat with the eggs and you'll have a healthy meal. Pureed Tofu can also be very helpful. I wasn't a fan of drinking tons of protein so I kept finding new ways to add protein to foods that don't usually have it. I posted a couple recipes in the recipes forum previously if you're interested. Also, when you're in your pureed stage, try to incorporate things with fruits and veggies a lot. I saw a great deal of people who really relied on mash potatoes at that time which can be good if you're following a healthy recipe like I did but I still wanted nutrients from places other then a Vitamin.

Also, low fat ricotta cheese is great during your mushies phase because you can simply add stuff to it for a filling, tasty, healthy meal. For example, if I was craving something sweet, I would take a few spoonfuls of low fat ricotta and add some agave Syrup to it. Agave is a healthy, natural sweetener and the mixter always reminded me of a pancake or waffle. It's great on cream of wheat also.

That should help you in the first few weeks. My biggest tip is BE CREATIVE. There are ways to puree almost anything which can really help you keeping your food choices varied. Good luck with everything and whenever it gets hard...just remember...you've made an great decision and it will get easier!

[isaviolinist 11]

How long did your surgeon want you to do clear liquids for? I don't know who your surgeon is, but my recommendation is to do what he says. Where did you arrange to have follow up care in states? You could also call that doctor.

My surgeon had me do a 3 day clear liquid diet following surgery, and then full liquids for about 2 weeks if I remember correctly. I didn't do Protein supplements on the clear liquids. Every surgeon is different though, so you should check with your surgeon! Good luck!

[mymacksy 0]

My awesome surgeon and his dietition recommend clear liquids for 3 days post op, then full liquids for 10 more days, then advancing the diet slowly on a specific schedule. I was too uncomfortable to move to a full liquid diet after 3 days, so I stayed on clear liquids for over a week post-op. You will not starve, I promise!! Yes, this is hard on your body, but you will not suffer long term effects from the liquid diet. To increase your calories and Protein, you can try sipping "protein bullets", which are clear liquid and found at GNC and even Wal Mart. Take it slow, because increasing your protein too quickly can be very painful to the bowels. With full liquids you can drink Protein Shakes, 52 gms protein and over 250+ cal per shake, plus the nutrition from the milk you mix it with. You can make one shake and it'll last several hours if you're taking 2 oz at a time. Protein Powder can be found almost anywhere in the nutritional supplement aisle. Good luck, you can do it! Make sure you're not a band orphan, find follow up and support ASAP.

[Erika27 0]

:smile2:WOW, well, Thanks. I guess it does seem hard at this point, but I'm sure it gets better. My only concern is the muscle loss...although I know I'm bound to loss muscle mass no matter what, I just wanted to make sure I'm doing things correctly.

Today was one of those days where everything seemed tempting:drool:. I honestly did cheat....I had a chocolate fudge popsicle and a bite size reese's pieces. I'm having trouble ONLY having liquids. I know I have to be strong. I'm ON the other side...and that should be a reminder to me that I should be greatfull and take care of my lap-band instead of pushing it. Nothing happened after my slip today....so there's no need to dwell...And even with my little cheating I didn't go over 1000 calories, so I should be OK. I guess I just have to continue with my clear liquid diet until I get a green light on the next phase.

Thanks everyone for your advise.

[incolorado 1]

:smile2:WOW, well, Thanks. I guess it does seem hard at this point, but I'm sure it gets better. My only concern is the muscle loss...although I know I'm bound to loss muscle mass no matter what, I just wanted to make sure I'm doing things correctly.

Today was one of those days where everything seemed tempting:drool:. I honestly did cheat....I had a chocolate fudge popsicle and a bite size reese's pieces. I'm having trouble ONLY having liquids. I know I have to be strong. I'm ON the other side...and that should be a reminder to me that I should be greatfull and take care of my lap-band instead of pushing it. Nothing happened after my slip today....so there's no need to dwell...And even with my little cheating I didn't go over 1000 calories, so I should be OK. I guess I just have to continue with my clear liquid diet until I get a green light on the next phase.

Thanks everyone for your advise.

I don't know, my surgeon in Denver has done tons of these things, and he does not require a clear liquid diet post-op. I was able to go straight to a full liquid/liquid puree diet. This includes things like very thin mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, pureed veggies or casseroles, and of course Protein shakes. In reality, most of my diet is clear liquids and Protein Shakes, but I have a little bit of the puree-type food each day.

I have to say, if I were you I would add Protein shakes. In my opinion, they made such a huge difference in hunger/satisfaction.

BTW in the book about Muhammed Ali's daughter's experience with the lap band, called "Fighting Weight," the very respectable NYU surgeons Drs. Fielding and Ren recommend clear liquids PLUS protein shakes for the first two weeks post-op. That makes more sense to me, and I would have no problem adding a few shakes to a clear liquid diet.

[Erika27 0]

I asked my dietician, and she advised that I do clear liquids up until 5 days post op and then pass on to full liquids, which allows me to add Protein Shakes. That's TODAY! So that's definitely exciting. Like I said. Yesterday was a dificult day for me hunger wise, so I think adding the Protein shakes will help me stay satisfied. Any particular Protein Shake that you might recommend. I'm in Mexico right now so many of the protein shakes available in the states aren't available here, HOWEVER my brother is flying in next week, so he might be bring it to me. I figure even if I pass on to the puree phase, I can still continue to have a protein shake now and then, don't you think? So it seems like today is going to be a better day for me. In terms of discomfort, I'm feeling great. The swelling in my belly seems to be going down, which is a relief. I'm excited and can't wait to start seeing results, although I do understand that that takes time. I'm in this for the long haul. I'm glad I found a spot to point out my concerns and not feel so lonely in this. Well....Take care everyone...and let's enjoy the journey.

[sandiegokate 0]

Hi Erika,

Muscle Milk Light that is pre-made is a really easy way to go. No mixing required and it tastes pretty good. Where in Mexico are you? I know there are a lot of costco stores down there and if you can get to one you should be able to get to some good Protein shake options, both ready to drink and powders. You need to be a member.. but maybe they will give you a one day pass? I love Costco.....

FYI.. for my creamy phase I bought cheesy broccoli Soup and added milk and extra steamed broccoli, and blended it in my magic bullet. Also I had loaded baked potato soup and added steamed cauliflower to it... it was a good way to get added veggies while on the creamy Soups.

Best of luck to you!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

FOLLOW YOUR POST OP DIET! Do not do what "US" surgeons do (or what you think they tell their patients)...do what YOUR surgeon told you! Seriously!

I have a "US" Surgeon and for 1 week post op I was to have clear liquids only. NO Protein. I didn't die. Most of us are fat enough, frankly, that we can go a week without taking in nutrition and it not hurt us.

AND dieting, you will lose some muscle. It just happens.

That's true of any diet.

Please don't let your hunger help you rationalize cheating on your post op diet. If you can't trust your surgeon to tell you how to heal properly, how on earth could you trust him to cut you open?

Do what your doc tells you. Period. Especially during the healing phase. For all you know his skill set is such that his patients do better on liquids for longer post op.

Many of us are STARVING, I know I was. I came to in recovery hungry and stayed that way until mushies. But we get through it and you can too. Just hang in there.

I see you did call your nutritionist and that's the smart thing. Remember the band works but takes work, too! :thumbup:

Edited September 6, 2009 by RestlessMonkey

[Ready4a2ndChance 0]

You definately need protein..........try Unjury unflavored Protein powders...........You can add them to Anything

[RestlessMonkey 7]

You definately need protein..........try Unjury unflavored Protein powders...........You can add them to Anything

No, you don't. At least not during a week or two during post op when you are healing. What you "need" is to follow your doc's advice. Not being pissy, either.

My doc said NO PROTEIN week 1. He's the pro; I the patient. I did what he said.

If you don't trust your doc to guide you through the pre- and post-op healing phases, don't trust him to band you.

[Ready4a2ndChance 0]

well i was told by my doc that after week one you need Protein, and with the Unjury you can add it to chicken broth so you can still stay on your clear liquid. How long did they say that you had to be on that clear liquid diet? ?????...........I'm on clear for 3 days then full liquids for 11days then move to purees and so forth.....

[RestlessMonkey 7]

well i was told by my doc that after week one you need Protein, and with the Unjury you can add it to chicken broth so you can still stay on your clear liquid. How long did they say that you had to be on that clear liquid diet? ?????...........I'm on clear for 3 days then full liquids for 11days then move to purees and so forth.....

Each person has a post op diet given to them by his/her surgeon to maximize healing, let the band heal in place, etc. So if your surgeon told you that on day 8 you need to add in protein, YOU need to do that! Totally!

However the OP was 4th day post op (not 8) AND...regardless the OP needs to do what his/her doc tells him to! If there is 1 thing I learned from perusing these boards it's that each doc tweaks things his or her own way. That's as it should be; they have different skills, different eductations, different "educated opinions" and even different client bases.

So what you do is what you're supposed to. (if you were banded 9/9 then you don't want protein yet) The OP should do as he/she is guided by his/her surgeon.

[Ready4a2ndChance 0]

well said they up to a week but they are putting me on a full liquid 40gram Protein diet for 11days starting tomorrow. I know they are all different i'm not arguing that, my pre op diet was totally different than most. I'm just wondering how long he said no protein???????