My Doc Says

Phase I - First 2 weeks post surgery Liquids only Water iced tea popscicles frozen frutie pops clear broth sports drinks crystal light unsweetened juices - Freeze plastic bottles with desired liquids ahead of time to carry around with you. - Continue with 60cc/2oz of liquid every 30 minutes but increase as you can tolerate to 6-8 glasses (8oz) of liquid over the first 48 hours at home. - Do not gulp liquids or drink quickly, this can cause abdominal pain and intense nausea. - 2 ounces or 60 cc of fluid is equal to 4 level tablespoons or 1/4 cup. Phase II - 2-6 weeks post surgery Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, and Malt-o-Meal with skim milk (water is lactose intolerant)*** Thinned mashed potatoes Pureed Foods Baked potatoe Canned fruits in their own juices (no pineapple at this time) Poached or soft boiled egg*** Applesauce Cottage Cheese*** Yogurt Low Fat cream soups Protein powder. If lactose intolerant try soya 1-2 scoops in juice.*** 1 packet carnation instant breakfast (this has more fat than protein)*** ***Food that are good sources of protein need 60 grams protein or more. During this phase you will only need to eat one meal twice a day. In the beginning 1-2 tablespoons of food may be all you are able to tolerate. You must remember to chew foods slowly and completely. Use a small saucer or a child size cup to measure food. Fill this only 1/2 full of food. DO NOT DRINK LIQUIDS 30 MINUTES BEFORE EATING, DURING EATING AND 45 MINUTES TO 1 HOUR AFTER EATING. Phase III - 6 weeks to 6 months (semi soft foods to solids) Tuna Fish*** White Fish*** Shirmp, lobster or crab*** Lean ground beef (90% or more fatfree)*** Chicken*** Peanut Butter*** Pasta (no ramon noodles because the expand in your stomach) Canned soups Vegetables/Salads (start with canned veggies and start to add fresh a little at a time) Fresh Fruits (Chew Chew Chew) Crackers, Graham crackers, etc... Poached or boiled eggs*** Protein shakes, bars*** ***Denotes food that are good sources of protein. This phase may not develop for you until 4-8 weeks after successful completion of phase II. Remember to stop eating when you feel full. All foods must be cooked without added fats. Bake, Broil, or poach meats, fish and poultry. Season vegetables with herbs or spices instead of fats. It may be beneficial to avoid certain foods during recovery. These foods irritate your intestines: red/green/black pepper, tomatoes, chili, chili powder, vinegars and very spicy foods. 60 or more grams of protein. 3 meals a day. Eat your protein first, veggies and then carbs. You must have all three of these for at least lunch and dinner. Phase IV - 6 months and on (solids) Chicken - 1/2 to full breast (baked, broiled)*** 4-5 scoops cottage or ricotta cheese *** 2 oz lean ground beef or soft cooked beef*** 3 oz tuna or fish*** 2 oz Shrimp, lobster, crab*** 3 oz peanut butter*** All vegetables - 1/2 cup All fruits - 1/2 Cup 3 oz egg cooked without fat*** All cereals - 1/2 cup Salad - 1/4 to 1/2 cup Potatoes - 1/2 to whold baked or 1/2 mashed Pasta - 1/4 to 1/2 cup Dry and crunchy foods such as crackers - no potatoe chips Protein Bars*** Protein Powder or Soya Powder *** ***Denotes foods taht are good sources of protein. 60 or more grams of protein. 200-300 calories per meal- 3 meals a day with 2 healthy snacks. Eat protein first. Now this is what my doctor gave me. Your doctor may be different, so you need to check with yours. My doctor gave me a whole packet on just eating with definitions, tips to dining out, warnings, list of protein bars and powders. No where on this list is there anything about eating pizza, sodas(one of the warnings, dont drink it for first 6months - year), chocolate, chips, donuts or anything high in fat, high caloric. Now I dont know about some of you, but I am going to follow what my doc says to a T. I know I will struggle with head hunger, I know I will struggle with the saddness of food loss, but I also know that when I conquer them and see that I am losing my weight and didnt cheat, that I have kicked butt and took control of me, for me. I am not a post-op, so I can only guess what is in store for me on the other side, but if I do what my doctor says then I know I can overcome it. Oh and yes, I have already found me a psychologist who has been working with WLS patients for over 5 years and I will be seeing him monthly. I suggest you do the same. The reason I am typing this is because so many people on the main boards are already wanting to try foods that is probably not even on thier doc's list. Do yourself a favor and just take it slow. Enjoy what you have and DREAM of the end result. If you rush everything than you are going to miss everything. If you lose a little slower than others, than GREAT, that means you wont have as much sagging skin. Exercise and keep those muscles working and drink your water to keep your skin tight. I wish all of you the best of luck and I wish those of you who are post-op your continued success. God Bless all of you and keep supporting each other, because right now we are the minority in this world right now. Debbie

Thanks for the List Debbie, that helps alot, knowing what to prepare for....before surgery....Is a great idea. I've been weaning myself off of Diet Sodas with Crystal Light. There are so many new flavors, and I haven't found one that I don't like so far The Diet Sodas and drinking with meals may be my toughest challenge, so I am starting now...........that AND chewing, chewing, chewing.. Beckey

Hey Beckey, Nice to see you tonight. You can also try Fruit 2/O and Propel at Walmart (you know the only store that we really have in Clovis) I really like the grape and peach propel. I also like all 4 flavors of Fruit 2/O (strawberry, rasberry, grape and lemon). I have been experimenting with decaf tea (different flavors) and making them into cold teas instead of hot teas. I make them into ice cubes too. Pretty good. I really like the Green tea cold. Debbie

Cool Ideas, I have not tried the Propel.........but it's on my shopping list now. I was really intersted to see on the other message board that there is a 'tasteless' protein powder......at GNC........got that on my list too. I like the Fruit 2/0.........but my kids don't........hey what am I saying,,,that is the Good thing....the kids will leave it alone!!!

My son loves both of them and I have to keep telling him to keep his mits off of them. I buy him his and I buy me mine. That way if he drinks all of his (TO BAD). I always cave in and give him mine too. I am weak. I am going to buy my tasteless protein from Susan Marie. I prefer to support her than GNC.

Another Great IDEA.....................