VSG on 6/8.. Feeling lost, need advice

Thanks so much

Hi Theresa - Welcome.

Sorry you had so many troubles.  Things will get a lot better.

Doctors have their own plan, but generally speaking, they're similar.

For me:

1.  Post-Op 24 Hours - Water.

2.  Til Discharge - Sugar-Free Clear Liquids.

3.  Two Weeks of Full Liquids.  This is protein shakes, broths, s/f popsicles, jello.  Goal is at least 64 oz. of liquids to avoid dehydration.

4.  Two Weeks of Pureed Foods.  Yogurt, Chicken or Tuna Salad, Eggs, Cottage Cheese, Ricotta Cheese, Strained Cream Soups.

5.  Solid Foods.  Chew, chew, chew and chew some  more.  1/3 cup protein at meals.  Three meals a day, and two snacks if needed.  

Goals were Protein First, for the rest of your life.  Then veggies, then fruit.  Avoid potatoes, rice, pasta, bread.

Per day:  65 oz. of protein, under 800 calories, under 40 carbs.  At least 64 oz. of water/liquids.  If you can't eat dense protein or cannot get 64oz. of solid food, supplement with protein drinks.  Weigh and measure everything.  Sip, sip, sip your water throughout the day.  Chew your food well.  Weigh and measure everything.  You should track your food and liquids in myfitnesspal.  Also, for pureed food recipes, check out theworldaccordingtoeggface.  (Her Ricotta Bake is delicious.

These are guidelines.  Your doctor should have given you printed instructions.  As Julie said, Weight Loss For Dummies is great.  I will send you a message with some more info.

Most important:  Read, read, read, and read some more here at OH.  Use the "Search" feature often.  Fell free to ask questions.  Everyone here is here for information and support, and we all want to see you succeed and will try to help you in any way we can.

Hang tough -- just about everyone struggles in the beginning, and some wonder "What have I done?" !!!!!!  It's normal.  You can do this.

Good wishes.

Mary

Thanks for the great info.

Hi there,

elax:-). It's all new. No matter how much research we do, we're never quite fully prepared. Everything is new.

Yes liquids are important.  If you're on clesrs, that means anything u can see through...not protein shakes. 

Also, yes 64 oz of liquid is important.  However, tgere are many of us who were lucky to get 20 oz in in a day. 

You just had major surgery. Stick with clears till Monday and have a strong heart to heart with your surgeon and team.

Try to rest, small sips. As I said, for a lot of us, 64 oz of fluids and 60 oz of protein was a dream that soon out. For me it just wasn't close to possible.

Take care.

Tia

Getting enough protein was my #1 concern post op. For the first month I pretty much lived on thin whey protein shakes and chewable multivitamins. It is bizarre that you were not instructed by your Dr or a NUT on how to eat after your surgery. I am not a doctor or a nutritionist but if you are having a problem with protein deficiency then you may want to try thin whey protein shakes to get some in.

This is what I personally used http://smile.amazon.com/Cellucor-Cor-Performance-Digesting-Protein-Servings/dp/B00GS53WNI/ .

I'd mix it with 12oz of water and one scoop to make it thin. That is 25 grams of protein right there. Drink that 3 times a day and you have 36 oz of water and 75 grams of protein. Also you count the protein shakes you make as water, don't worry about drinking time before/after a protein shake. The whole don't drink for x amount of time before or after is for solid foods, and honestly I found it to be unnecessary for me to follow so I didn't for very long. That is with how my body recovered though your experience may be different. I never had a single moment of pain post op, just a bit of soreness. I don't know whether it is because I am a quick healer, lucky, or my surgeon is fantastic (probably a little of the first two and a lot of the third.)

Once again I am not a MD or a NUT, this is just a recounting of my personal experience post surgery. Do what is appropriate for you. Also call the surgeon who did your surgery and ask if they have a nutritionist on staff for you to talk to...I find it really surprising that you weren't coached by one long in advance of your surgery date. Don't panic, but definitely get your protein and hydration on point.

Thanks for all the advice. I only met with a nutritionist once prior to surgery. My whole experience was different, so I am trying to get on the right track. I will focus on protein and fluids for now and see the dr tomorrow. Thanks again.

I'm sorry you had a rough start.  I keep a one ounce medicine cup next to me. I try to drink one ounce of clear fluids every ten minutes. I actually keep a tally chart, to keep me on track. I too am having difficulty with protein drinks and my protein jello. Protein items really slow me down (1 oz. Every 20 minutes).My NUT doesn't allow me to count protein items toward my fluid. Unjury chicken broth is my sole protein right now. I water it down, and it doesn't take me forever to get down. Hang in there.

Hi Theresa

If you are having recurrent episodes of kidney failure,  you need to address these questions to your doctor because you may have different needs. Those with kidney disease are sometimes on a different diet than normal people, especially in regards to protein and fluid requirements. 

You need to write down your questions and call your doctors for some concrete answers tailored to your medical needs. 

Good luck!!

I so agree with you and was just about to write the same thing. It quite frankly surprises me that anyone would do weight loss surgery on someone with kidney problems since most are on high protein diets. So perhaps her surgeon will have her do a modified type diet with a little slower weight loss or something but I'm sure it will be different for her than the rest of us. So I wouldn't stock up on protein shakes or even advice here. You can get some advice from here but I strongly advise that most of Theresa's advice come from her medical team especially her kidney specialists as they are the ones who are most important and knowledgeable about her kidney condition.