[MelissaKaye]

I feel like I went into this surgery blind! I had surgery a week ago and I dont know what to eat. My surgeon was very brief, as well as dietician.

I have stuck to broth (from soups) but have dabbled in light n fit yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, bland instant taters with fat free gravy, cottage cheese and well thats about it. I have tried sugarfree drinks (like powerade zero, vitamin water zero, etc) but have went back to ice water.

I go next Friday to get my staples out & I remember him saying something like trying crackers??

Anyway, I know to stay away from sugar. Can I have no sugar added fruit juices?? ...

I guess I will have to search this forum.. I have so many?'s! I am very emotional right now so forgive me. I am just lost! I am hungry but dont want to eat because the thought of eating the above makes me sick to my stomach!!! HELP!!!

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
Congratulations on joining the Losers' Bench.
(((((HUGS))))) May your journey go well.

Do you have (you should, actually) an information packet from your surgeon? Look in there and see if there's a food stage information t(there should be).

Recipes for various stages.
Gastric Bypass Recipes - Weight Loss Surgery Forums - RenewedReflections

[pretty woman]

Yes, look through your paperwork. I can't believe they didn't give you something.
I had to join a group at the hospital where I still go to support group meetings. We had classes...6? of them and a huge notebook.
Week 1- clear liquids only
Week 2+3- full liquids..meaning we could add yogurt, cottage cheese, SF applesauce,
oatmeal (thin) in addition to the clear liquid diets
It was very specific. You should have some lists related to how far out from surgery
you are.
NO CRACKERS!!!
WAter 60 oz daily Protein 70 gr daily.
Walk and sip through out the day to get it down, rest as much as you can.
Good luck.

[bertie]

I'm sorry for your frustration and confusion! I just cannot believe any responsible surgeon would have left you in the dark like that. Like the others have said, go through all your papers with a fine-tooth comb, although it should have been gone over with you by the nutritionist. If not, definitely be proactive in contacting the surgeon/nutritionist's office and insisting on complete post-op instructions! This is not the time at one week out to be playing a guessing game with what you can and cannot eat. Also, there should be weight loss support groups that meet at least once a month in your area, also something that should have been information given to you by your doctor's office. If the nutritionist is not specifically familiar with the needs of bariatric patients, then I would get my butt to one in my area as soon as possible. You don't want to be messing around with not getting enough protein, vitamins, fluids, etc., the consequences of getting too little or too much can be devastating to your health.

Oh, and definitely keep coming to this forum for support! It is wonderful here.

[loosinglynn]

I also can not believe they did not prepare you better for this. It is hard enough changing your old habits with and instruction book. I think that you should ask your Doc once again. I went to Vanderbilt in Nashville and my Doc allow puree foods post-op day 2, so it varies. It could depend on several different factors, so always when in doubt ASK.

[Dr. Mel]

Bless your heart...all of the new information is a bit confusing, especially when one person is told to do this and another to do that...

Should be a stage diet in the paperwork *somewhere*. Call on Monday and just keep doing what you're doing now.

I was cleared for protein drinks made with water during week one, then I could make them with milk on week two....very gradual "moving up". Again, ask your surgeon's office on Monday.

Hope it goes well...just don't overdo it.

Oh, and about fruit juices...this could make you dump (too much *natural* sugar). I did half water/half juice and still do if I'm wanting some fruit juice. This way you get in the nutrition from the juice as well as the additional fluids from the water.

Best of luck....

[yvonneiam]

Ditto,I cannot believe they did not give you a booklet of some sort!!I went through phases clear liquids(4 days)full liquids(3 days)pureed foods(7 days)then day 16 after surgery I started soft foods,then week 7 was regular foods.I had to attend a nutrition class and they gave me a manual on what to do both pre-op and post-op.Make an appointment with the dietician and have them explain the food phases or find a new nutritionist!!Good luck and if you need ideas pm me and I will tell you whats in my manual

[barbara sutton]

All has been said, I am so sorry for the frustration you are feeling right now, I am concerned about the surgeon and the nut, you should not be left in the dark about something so important, for sure call the surgeons office monday and have them email you this needed information, I call my surgeons office if I feel anything strange or when I was constipated. This is too inportant to let go. Please let us know your outcome with the surgeons office and the nut. HUGS.

[Perfesser]

NSA (No Sugar Added) is NOT the same as SF (Sugar Free)!!! Fruits have a natural amount of sugar, and the juicing process tends to concentrate it. Read the labels.

If you want to try it, do it in small amounts in the safety of your own home so that if there is a dumping episode, you're not caught in rush-hour traffic in the middle lane!!

CT

[txbred]

@butterfly62--my sister would add the protein powder to pudding.

@melissaKaye--your surgeon's office should have given you some kind of info b4 surgery. I had to go to the doc 6mos. b4 I had my surgery and during that time the dietician went over all the changes, diets, and change of eating habits.

You should be in entering your Soft Phase (2 wks - 6 wks post op) I can type out a list of what I can eat but you will want to make sure with your surgeon b/c everyone is different. BTW I had my surgery on 7/18/2011 so we should be on the same track as far as food goes.

Soft Phase:
Cooked veggies--fork tender
Moist meats (fish, beef, chicken, turkey, ham, pork) I eat thin sliced deli meat, low-sodium and low-fat.
Eggs (or subsitute, boiled, scrambled)
Cooked beans, FF refried
Cottage cheese
Cheese (2%, if possible)
Banannas or canned peaches (in own juice, not syrup)
No sugar added applesauce
Cooked cereals--oatmeal, malt-o-meal, grits, cream of wheat
Protein supplements (if you can't tolerate meats) I use SF Carnation Instant Breakfast
SF pudding, jello, popsicles
Light yogurt (w/o fruit but fruit flavors are ok)
Pastas, noodles, crackers--eat last at meals
Light/LF mayo or Miracle Whip
Decaf coffee/tea (with sugar subs if needed)
Water Substitutes

Eat high protein foods first at all meals. 3 meals/day, no snacking. Chew all foods well and slow down eating to prevent nausea/vomitting. Meats have to be very moist. No raw fruits or veggies. Food needs to be fork tender (able to cut/mash with a fork easily).

I'm having trouble eating right now b/c I'm experiencing a lot of nausea so I only eat about twice a day and it's not much. I need to start drinking my Protein drinks again to supplement my diet. I'm also taking two chewable vitamins a day (am and pm) and one Nexium pill (acid blocker).

Hope some of the info helps until you can get in touch with your dr. office.