Ochsner patients, I need your advice...

Hi, everyone! As far as surgery goes, so far, so good. I just have a few questions about what and how much I should be eating at this stage, because I forgot what the Dietitian at Ochsner said, and the handbook she gave me is confusing. I was on clear liquids for week 1. The booklet goes from "Preop Liquid Diet" to "High Protein Liquids," in which it says, "one week after surgery, you should restart your protein drinks." Then it says, "since you are only drinking, this protein will come from your supplements and milk, only." The next page is "High Protein Pureed Food," which states, "After you tolerate clear liquids, your doctor will advance your diet to high protein, full liquids, and pureed foods. You will remain on this diet for two weeks." Does this mean that I should go from clear liquids to high protein full liquids AND pureed foods, or does it mean that I go from clear to full, and THEN pureed? I thought Lisa (the dietitian) had said clear-->full-->pureed, but the book seems to say clear-->full+pureed. Or not? I'm stumped. Also, if I am supposed to be on pureed foods, how much should I eat? Today I ate some pureed chicken, which seemed to go down OK, but I don't really know what hungry and full feel like, so I wasn't quite sure when to stop (I stopped at about 1 oz., for no particular reason). Did Lisa have any instructions about that? I'm supposed to follow up in another week, so I wonder if she'll provide more instructions then. Until then, any advice you have would be terrific! Thanks a million!

Hi Daydream, Call and ask, don't wait until next week. I am sure that she gets calls all the time and has to clarify instructions. That way you don't mess yourself up. Are you gonna try and make it on Wednesday? Are you back at work yet? Debbie

Hi, Debbie! I've been back at work since Monday. I went ahead and dropped back to protein liquids (milk and supplements only) on my own, because I just feel like I'm really not ready for more at this time anyway. Today, I took a ready-to-drink protein shake with me as I drove to work at 7:00 this morning. By 12:00, I was only about halfway through, so I went to the canteen and bought a half pint of milk and a cup of ice, into which I poured the leftover shake and milk. I sipped on that until 4:30, and I was only 2/3 through. Realizing I'm nowhere near my protein goal today (nor was I yesterday, for that matter), I tried to make a protein "soup" using 1 cup Campbell's golden butternut squash soup and 1 cup milk, plus 2 scoops whey (for 36g, plus whatever's in the milk). I finished only half, but if I stay up late working tonight, I might attempt the other half. I've also been paying attention to that "pressure" sensation that's supposed to indicate fullness, and I DEFINITELY feel it and can identify it. I haven't eaten past that point, and so far, no at all! Then again, I've only ever vomited three times in my entire adult life, so I wonder if that has something to do with it. Thanks for the good advice on calling Lisa! I must still be a little flaky from the anesthesia, because that thought didn't even occur to me!

Sorry, Debbie, I forgot to answer your question about tomorrow. Unfortunately, it looks like my coworkers do have something planned for the evening. However, there also seems to have been some bickering between a few of them, so the event may not occur, though the rest of us are playing it by ear. I guess I won't really know until tomorrow evening.

Hey there my name is Nicole and I am an Oschner patient. Do not feel bad I call Lisa every day for advice.....I get all confused too so please call her.....I do not even look at that book anymore....If you need me for anything please email me....Nicole

Thanks for the advice, Nicole. I took a look at your profile, and I see we kinda-sorta have the same surgeon! Dr. Kennedy couldn't do my actual surgery as she had just given birth a couple days before, but as far as I understand she'll take over my follow-up care upon returning from maternity leave (at least, I hope so, because I haven't even gotten to speak with Dr. Richardson since my surgery). Do you attend the support group meetings at Ochsner? If so, I'll see you at the next one, whenever that is!

Hey Daydream Yeah Dr Kennedy is out but she will be back in September that is my next appointment. Yeah I went to the July support group meeting it was my first one and I enjoyed it. The next one is August 12 I believe. I have a schedule in my purse. I would love to see you there and if you need to chat just give me a buzz Nicole

Nicole, I'll make every effort to go, and I'm looking forward to seeing you! What time are the meetings? Are they usually held on Saturdays like that? Thanks!

Daydream, I had my surgery 12 days before you. The first week home I could only take in a small portion of water and liquids...I lived off of sf popsicles and a few tsps at a time of sf jello... I couldnt get all of the water in that they required.... During week 2 I took in protein shakes -- it gets better and you will be able to take in your water soon... about 10 days post op I could tell I was taking and tolerating alot more liquid than previously --- Now a week ago they advanced me to pureed but my stomach simply cannot take it -- I found a protein shake called Nitro Tech that has 230 calories and 45g of protein so I drink one of those in a day and one LOW CARB SLIM FAST to get my protein in -- as far as pureed -- I CANNOT tolerate ALOT --- I simply went out and bought some organic baby food and I can certainly tolerate that, only 2oz at a time though --- I mainly eat the prunes with applesauce babyfood for OBVIOUS reasons -- altho today I had pearpineapples and it was DELICIOUSO ! I havent been able to tolerate much more as of yet -- I do tolerate some tuna in water -- I mix the tuna with lowfat mayo -- an egg and a small amount of sweet relish -- I can eat about 2 oz of that at a time -- tomorrow I am going to try to do some chicken salad like the tuna -- that definitely agrees with my stomach -- I tried steamed shrimp-- NOPE DIDNT WORK --I also tried pureed roast with some gravy that had been cooking in a crock pot all day -- NOPE DIDNT WORK -- so for now, I am NOT rushing, but certainly am getting my protein, water and tuna in !! When is your post-op appt?

I can totally relate, Stephanie. Thanks for the advice! My post-op appointment is Monday, so I'm sure I'll be getting more info at that time.