Post op Diet

Hi.  I am a newbie and not too sharp on a computer so forgive me for any mistakes I am sure to make.   I have some questions about the post op diet for a gastric sleeve patient.  I had mine done June 4, 2008 and have been on clear liquids since June 6.  I am getting ready to go to full liquids in a couple of days.  The website for the Dr. I went to (Dr. Joya in Puerto Vallarta - - great facility and recovery hotel BTW) states that post-op diet is one week clear liquids, one week full liquids and three weeks pureed and on to regular food.  The paperwork I was given at discharge says one week clear, two weeks full and five weeks pureed/soft.  Also, website says dried beans fine, paperwork says no fiber.  I'm so confused!  And the water thing...website says 64 oz a day and paperwork says 48.  I've found somewhere tonight that the water should be drunk 1-2 oz at a time over 30 minutes.  If I'm drinking 64 oz at 2 oz a pop in 30 minutes, that's 16 hours of just drinking water.  And you're not supposed to drink water 30 minutes before a meal or an hour after and at 5-6 "meals" a day, I won't have time to sleep!  I thought the whole point was to keep from putting something in your mouth 24/7!! Otherwise, I think I'm doing well.   I still kind of feel like someone sewed a football up in my gut and when I burp, it is easier to do a "ssssst" kind of easing the pressure type thing (I sound like a inner tube losing air) instead of burping but all in all, I'm happy with the procedure. One other thing, I've been walking on a treadmill for over a year; when can I start that again?  And I just got a new exercycle; the handlebars go back and forth while you're sitting cycling.  When can I use it?  Thanks so much for any insight and/or answers.

Sparky, first off, WELCOME! Congratulations on having your surgery!

About your diet, I would follow the instructions that you got from Dr. Joya, or what is on his specific website. If you have questions, contact him or someone from his office to help you out on diet specifics. I can share my surgeon's diet regimen, but each Dr. has their own diet instructions that they like followed. Err on the side of caution if you can't get definitive answers from your surgeon.

Now, for getting in your liquids, most that I've read (my surgeon and dietician included) want you to get in 64 ozs. of fluid daily. That's really difficult to do freshly post-op, so that may be the difference in what you were told in your hospital discharge instructions. Just keep sipping all day, except around or during your meal times. I have a 32 oz. drinking mug with a lid and handle that I fill up in the morning and try to get it down by about 2 PM. Then I refill it and try to get it all in by bedtime. It will get easier to drink your liquids as your tummy heals and the swelling from surgery goes down.

It shoud be fine for you to walk now on your treadmill, but remember to pace yourself and take it easy at first. The more you keep moving and walking, the better for helping the gas to dissipate that they used to inflate your abdomen. I'm not so sure about the exercycle ... I was ok'd to ride a bike at 2 weeks post-op, but it didn't include pulling or pushing with my arms. I was instructed to not lift anything over 10 lbs. until my 6 week post-op check up, when I was released to start doing strength training as tolerated, concentrating on more repetitions with lighter weights rather than lifting really heavy weights a few times. The reason for weight lifting restrictions is to prevent trocar site hernias. Again, try to contact someone from your surgeon's office for your exact instructions. If you can't get in touch with them, again, I'd err on the side of caution and be very conservative before progressing either your diet or exercise.

Again, Welcome! Remember to sip, walk, and rest, try to get in your liquids and meet your protein goals, and enjoy your journey to better health! : )

Repeat post - don't know if first answer went through.  Thanks for the info.  I think that you are right in that it is better to err on the side of caution.  After all, I have the rest of my life, no?

Sparky,  congrats on your sleeve!  Sounds like you are drinking way too fast and too much at a time.  Slow it down and your sleeve will thank you.  Your post-op diet instructions are way different than mine.  Post over on the VSG board.  There are some of Dr. Joya's patients that post regularly.  They will answer all of your questions.  Oh, the amount of water question- those are minimum amounts in a day not maximums.  I plan on hitting at least `100 oz while on vacation in the desert.  Good luck~ You can do the treadmill now.  I would wait a while on the exercycle.  I have a pilates table that I am holding for now due to the resistance bands.

Thanks for the tip about the VSG board.  I'll toddle over there and lurk for awhile.  I'll be off to the old treadmill after work.  I'll be glad to get back to my routine.

Sparky, Your little sleeve is still healing it takes time to be able to drink 64 ounces in a day. What we were trained to do is take one of those medicie caps(like nyquil) and drink from it that way you are getting in the 1 ounce at a time. as for your diet go by what the surgeon says. Just be patient and it will be ok.

Thanks for the tip about the Nyquil cup.  I was wondering how to gauge an ounce without a measuring cup!

Patience is not one of my virtues but I am going to try to find some.