Post Op diet guidelines?

I am 1 week post op and struggling w/ my surgeon’s diet instructions.

He is a good “cutter”, but I question the nutritional information provided. Does anyone know if any reputable resources or nutritionists out there that are DS specific?

In short, I nutritionally feel like hell and I’m questioning the prescribed diet. I have stayed on track, but find my every waking moment scouring the net for better DS specific diet.


Surgeon’s Diet for all surgery patients regardless of type
1 week post op – clear liquid no protein
Weeks 2 -4 post op – clear liquids (150 grams protein powder for DS)
Week 5-6 Pureed Food (150 grams protein powder for DS)
Week 7 – 8 Soft Foods (150 grams protein powder for DS)
Week 9 –Regular Foods (150 grams protein powder for DS)

No tea until week 2
No meat until week 9
No milk or cream ever

If I just need to shut up and put up, then tell me!

Thanks

Hello,
Hang in there! It gets easier as the weeks go by. I used my blender and put what I wanted to eat whole, but made it babyfood texture. I am 2 years out and lost 192 lbs. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It has truly changed my life and being thin is so different you will never forget you were once fat,but my quailty of life has greatly changed for the better!

EmmaJane -

 

First of all, since our're just out of surgery, the most important thing is to stay well hydrated.  Get all your fluids in.  Sip on water, sugar-free Gatorade, sugar-free kool-aid, whatever it takes to get your fluids in.  Do *not* drink carbonated beverages (soda pop).  There may come a time when you can, but not until you are good and healed.

In my neck of the woods, there is no such thing as a Bariatric Registered Dietitian. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetics Association) doesn't even have certification  for the specialty,  which is why, at middle age, I decided to go back to college to become one.  The plus to WLS clients will be that I am also a DSer.   Never trust a NUT           ( dietitian/nutritionist) unless you know that he/she is schooled in your surgery type.  To be fair, my hospital's program hands out surgery-specific food plans in 1/2  inch binders to it's DS patients, that map out the re-feeding plan over the course of a year.  Contrast that to the 3 inch binder RNY's at the same hospital get. 

I understand all the surgeries, because I had to research them all to make my choice.  I had to learn DS nutrition in order to take care of myself.  Even the RD's at my hospital's program don't get DS nutrition. They have a "one plan fits all" approach, and just assume that everyone who walks in the door is a RNY. To their credit, they have gotten better, I think in large part because my surgeon's office is on the second floor, right above the Bariatric Center, and her patients complain LOUDLY about DS nutritional counseling. Case in point:    My first post op visit I was counseled to use skim milk and non-fat everything, which is damn near deadly to a DSer! Plus, almost all DSers are lactose intolerant, immediately post-op, I was going into surgery, and skim milk contains more lactose (milk sugar) than whole milk.  Just last year, when I went for a surgeon visit, and the dietitian saw that I was eating around 300g of protein daily, she said "you're going to kill your kidneys!", and at that point, I explained DS malabsorption reduces the 300g by around 50- 60%...just about right for a DS daily protein intake.  She had a "deer in the headlights" look on her face!  I only have 18 more months of my surgeon's 5 year follow up to go through with the NUTS.

In terms of DS nutrition, the big rule is protein FIRST!  Don't be afraid of a well-marbled steak once you're cleared for solid foods...it's health food for you now.  I explain to my sister, who studied nutrition in college, that vegetables are mostly garnishes for me now, and she *still* doesn't  get it! 

The closest thing I can tell you to describe the DS style of eating is the Atkins plan.  You also need to be taking larger than normal doses of supplements to stay healthy.  The 4 majors for me are:  4 Centrum Type multivitamins daily (no gummies!), 8-Calcium Citrate pills daily(2400mg), 1-2 B12 injections monthly(1000mcg per shot -you can also do daily sublingual tablets), 100mg Thiamin (B-1) weekly.  I also take dry A(25000 IU), dry D(50,000 IU)   dry E(800 IU) and dry K-1 (2500mcg= 4 1/2 tablets) I also take 5,000mcg  dry K-2 ( 1 tablet) as well as B-100 complex, Zinc, etc. The ADEK's must be dry, and not the little oil or gel filled caplets, as DSer's only absorb 20% of any lipids (fats) we ingest, so the oil filled capsules would be like taking nothing, those oil-suspended vites would pass right on through!

When I was a newbie,  I made the investment in Vitalady's DS regimen, then shopped around for the best price on all the vites and minerals in the plan.  I still use a few select items of hers, but I saved a ton of money finding my own sources.

My first three months post op were my worst, but after that, good times!

 

 

Your doc is extremely conservative.  I can't imagine that long on liquids, especially since I was eating soft foods before I even left the hospital.  I did a day on clear liquid and a day on full liquid, then told to eat what I feel like eating, yielding to softer choices for a bit.  If something didn't set well, then back off of it for a few weeks and try again.  I'm glad to see he's aggressive with protein, however all powder??? ewwww...

"No milk or cream ever"? What sort of fairy-tale is this guy living in???

I had 2 weeks of pureed foods---anything that I chose to puree, including meat. Then I had two weeks of 'soft' foods, defined as anything easily mashed with a fork. I didn't have to ma**** with a fork, it just had to be mash-able. The starting at week five I could eat anything I chose.

I thought i had it hard lol..

im stuck on full liquid for 2-3 weeks with a list of approves protien (90g) powders and drinks  (till doctor approves purees)

then a week or two of purees..

then what i can keep down..

No restrictions on things like tea or coffee other then being told to be weary of caffeen.

I just finished my first week too I know how you feel... I miss having anything I can chew.