a typical food day after surgery

I am have my surgery on Nov 16th. Could anyone tell me what a typical day of clear and full liquids will be like. I just cant see how I will be able to get 1000 cal. in. Thanks, Marlo

Marlo, HI! You most likely won't get that many calories in for a while! I am not sure where you got that figure. You will be lucky to get 400-500 calories in immediately post op. The best thing to do is really concentrate on the protein drinks, and even adding some whey to those. You have to get your water in too as much as you can. I would usually get a 1/4 cup in of protein drink as a meal, then sip on water between my drinks. When you have your pureed food you should add some unflavored whey protein to that. The big thing to concentrate on is protein protein protein!!! That is the most important thing to get in to help your body recover and keep from losing a lot of muscle instead of fat. And getting your liquids in as best you can between meals. Hope this helped. I didn't want you to get frustrated when you couldn't get that many calories in right away. It's all about the protein! Take care, best of luck! Valerie Curry, RN Lap RNY 07/10/2003 268/172/145 -61" overall

Thank you for the reply. I was hoping that you would be the one to respond. SVCH told me that I should try and get in 1000 calories. They undstancd it may be just 500 or so and to try and get as much protien as I can. I was not sure how I was going to do that. The Whey will help. Thank you for the suggestion. I am so confused on how much is to much carb and sugar. I was looking a juices and did not find anything low in sugar and if it was it had splenda in it. SVCH said that I can't use splenda. Is there another site to go to with more info on pureed and clear/full liquid diets? Thanks, Marlo

I am just curious...why can you not use splenda? That is like "gold" to me. I use it for everything. Even my kids use splenda. We haven't had sugar in our house since before my surgery. Typically it is a good idea to keep your sugar (be it sugar alcohols or reg sugar) at about 10 grams per meal or serving. I am pretty safe with that. Depending on what I am eating sometimes I can go over a little, sometimes I have to be really strict on it. You do need to get some carbs in there to help with the protein processing. Fruit juices are tricky. They have lots of sugar in them, and because it empties into your gut faster than solid food, people tend to have dumping issues with it. So, becareful, water it down first and then try it. Unfortunately a lot of this is trial and error because everyone is so different. I dump very easily and am very sensitive to sugar alcohols. My husband, however, has never dumped. I am glad I do because it keeps those negative reinforcements in place. Believe me, once you do, you will work very hard not to do it again. Not a fun thing to do. But, I will help you as much as I can with some food ideas, and whatever else you need help with. At least to the best of my abilities! Feel free to send me an email if you want to chat off the board! Do you have a nutritionist that you work with? If not, I can try to help you find some good information to read to help you out too! Take care! Valerie

Val, I was reading the literature I received from SVCH and it says splenda is OK. The nurse from my education class said that it wasn't. So, I don't know why the nurse said that it wasn't. Thanks for all of your help. I am counting down the days. Marlo

You are so welcome. Our success depends on the positive support we have around us too! Just ask away, because I believe for every question out there, one of us can most likely answer it! This is a great support group! We are counting with you!!!!

It is felt that most RNY patients only absorb approximately 800 calories a day after surgery. I wouldn't expect my patients to over do it with calories. As Ms. Curry states the protein is the important part as well as keeping well hydrated and taking your vitamins. I'm sure you will do fine. Frequent follow up with your surgeon and bariatric dietician will keep you on track. Good Luck with your surgery. Sincerely, Calvin Selwyn, M.D. Assistant Professor of Surgery University of Cincinnati