[TGG]

Hi All, just want to start off by thanking you all with your great posts.
I have been reading the posts on the site for about 6 months now to learn tips and what to do and what not to do after surgery. Well, my surgery date is now 29 days away and I am on overload. Will everything come together and I will naturally learn my new way of life. My doctor has not advised me of any post op diet. Does it all fall into place or is there more I should be doing to prepare?

[Kenyar]

hmmm. well my dr had a nutritionist as part of the program. she gave me shopping lists and suggestions after the surgery. does your dr's office offer this? i only ask because we all have different meal plans and food stages so as to not cause confusion you should follow the plan offered by your dr's office. it can get confusing when a bunch of people list what they've done lol.

in term so f the jitters: im sure you will be fine if you werent nervous i think we would be lol.

[nygal]

With a lot of help from your RR (renewed reflections) friends, YES it will all fall into place

You will have a lot of ppl on here giving you info-- we are one big happy family

Here is what i know... but it is different for everyone. For me, the plan below covers about 1 and 1/2- 2 months.

So talk to your Dr /nutrionist about this. What i write below is typical for WLS patients, but discuss it with them first for their instructions...

Post Op the most important things you will need to eat/drink are your VITAMINS (major ones are: a Multi, B-12 or complex, calcium citrate, Vitk, VitD, Iron, and any others), about 60 g of PROTEIN every day and 8+ cups of WATER.

This might seem hard to do at first, but as the swelling in your throat etc goes down, you will be able to swallow more/better. At first you will hardly be able to handle a few sips of liquid or a few spoons of food. You also will not be hungry much at all, though your HEAD will have cravings like crazy! lol

*ONLY eat foods that are moist so they go down easy.

*CHEW your food until it is pratically like baby food for best digestion and swallowing.

*NEVER drink while eatting--- (about 30 minutes before and after a meal) as it pushes the food through and can leave you wanting to eat more and could cause your pouch to stretch by the over eatting. SIP you fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated- but no drinks at meals.

*NO GUM- you can swallow it and it gets stuck in your pouch and blocks the intestines or something like that-- and you will have to have a speacial procedure to remove it. It does not pass or digest.

*ALL foods MUST be SUGAR FREE (sf)- or unsweetened or no sugar added... you can add or it can have sweetner (if you really need it) like Sweet n low or Splenda, that is ok.
This is pretty much for the rest of your life. Well ok, as the months go by you might be able to hande SMALL amounts of sugar- but your body might (very likely) reject it and you will feel REALLY bad!! So just stay awasy from it

*Keep your carbs and fats LOW.

Typically the first week or two (depending on your doctors orders) you will be on STAGE 1 a clear liquids diet. Examples: 100% WHEY protein powder mix with water, jello, unsweetened diluted apple juice, broth, sugar free ice pops, NON CARBONATED drinks like crystal light drinks, water, tea. *watch the caffeine- have little to none.

Then you move onto STAGE 2, full liquid diet such as all the above foods plus some dairy (milk), sugar free hot chocolate, cream soups (no meat/veggies), breakfast drinks, farina.


Then is Stage 3, all above plus unsweetened applesauce, pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, soft poached/scrambled egg, pastina (baby size pasta), oatmeal, cream of wheat, pureed meat/poultry/fruit/veggies, instant or mashed potates (no fat added).
*at this stage you will likely be able to eat about 4oz of food or about 1 egg, in a single sitting. But this varies by each person- you might be able to handle more or less.

Stage 4, all above plus Tuna fish canned in water, low fat/light mayo, noodles/spaghetti/pasta, soft/flacky fish (scrod, flounder, sole), chicken (white meat, MOIST, no skin), LEAN ground beef/turkey (85-93% lean), whole grain cereals.

Ok, that's all i know for now... i'm still learning too

[DocSanae]

Pre op jitters are quite normal.
Even if you are clueless right now about your post op diet, it may just be that your surgeon will give you stuff on things like that when you are closer to surgery so you won't forget.
If you have any doubts, make a list and ask your surgeon the next time you see him.
((((((HUGS)))) May your journey go well.

[Trulykath]

it's overwhelming at first, but it does all come together!

Glad you are here....keep us posted as surgery date gets closer!

[A new me]

Oh yes it all falls into place. It may be a bit overwhelmng at first but I can say its worth it and I am just about 7 months post op. Just take each day as it comes. This is a tool that we have been given and you just take each day as it comes and you will do fine. I am sure your surgeon will be giving you some guidelines to go by. Just
stick to what they say and you will do fine. Welcome aboard and I look forward to you being on the loosing side of things with the rest of us.

[fr1endly2]

YES IN TIME IT FALLS INTO PLACE
AND BECOMES A HABIT.

early post op it is a struggle for some
to get in the water....get in the protein
all the counting
reading labels...and so on
but it does get easier!
HUGS

[Lovie]

Your doc will definitly lay everything you need to know out "on the table" for you. They want to be sure we have as much information as we can so we do well and don't get sick. I had an over abundance of materials to "digest". Good luck and keep reading everything you can get your hands on.

[LittleLisaMarie]

First off congrats on your surgery getting so close.
Next jitters and fear are normal as you get closer and closer. Ask as many questions as you can think of. Every time you think of something you need answered write it down so you dont forget. THe more you know going into surgery the better you will do post op. ALso please make sure you have a strong support system in place . That is also key to success. And last try your best to relax and picture the success and where you will be in a few months, feeling healthier and looking amazing....we are here for you

LittleLisaMarie

[Chilly]

Ahhhh the pre-surgery emotional rollercoaster!!! Yes, it WILL come into place. It WILL get easier. There are many times that you think it won't but it will. You have to "re-learn" how to eat. That was the HARDEST part for me. Little bites....eating slow....no drinking during eating. We're here if/when you need us!! :-)