Question:
By week 2 I can start solids . . . . .

The initial info I have from my surgeon says broth, SF jello, water etc. for week 1. Starting week 2 I can eat solids. The recommendations are cottage cheese, yogurt, string cheese, eggs, tofu, refried beans, lentil, split pea or black bean soup, misco or egg drop soup, chicken, turkey, fish. It obviously says to chew tons but nothing about pureeing the food. I think we are expected to do that with out teeth. LOL<p>They do not say anything about getting a minimum amount of protein but do say I need to focus only on eating protein and nothing else in the 1st month. They say nothing about having to supplement with protein drinks etc. From what I have read it seems that almost no one has been able to get in adequate protein without supplementing the first few weeks. He also says I must eat at least 1 meal a day but not to force myself just because it is mealtime and that I must not take any longer than 20 mintes to eat a meal. No water for 30 minutes before, during or 30 minutes after - that I've heard before. All you post-ops, what's your opinion about diving into solid food at week 2 and more importantly how do I get enough protein if I can hardly eat much. I'd just as soon not supplement with protein drinks. If I don't start getting lots of protein at first will my body use up too much of it's protein instead of fat? Will it not be an issue as long as I get walking and maintain the muscle I have?    — zoedogcbr (posted on December 21, 2002)

December 21, 2002
That diet sounds like the one that my surgeon recommends. I started soft foods at 10 days out. He does not insist on protein supplements. In fact when I told him I could not tolerate the drinks he said that for many years he did not use them at all, and his results were fine. I am 12 weeks out -58 pounds.
   — Lesa H.

December 21, 2002
I too started solids at 2 weeks and I hate protein supplements and don't use them. My surgeon doesn't recommend them and wasn't worried much about protein the first month...just heal and learn to eat again and eat protein as much as possible. It gets better with time.
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 21, 2002
I started solid foods one week out, and did great. My surgeon also does not believe in supplements, and I'm doing great!
   — Kami C.

December 21, 2002
That's interesting. I'm 10 days post op. My doctor seems to have a more cautious approach. I was one week SF jello, SF pops, water, etc. Then the next two weeks to add a protein drink (with skim milk). I cannot begin soft foods until week 3.
   — Michael S.

December 21, 2002
The advice your surgeon gave you is much the same as I was given. I tired to eat only protein in the beginning. I have never had to use protein drinks--not recommended by my doctor anyways. I am going on 4 months post op, down 65 pounds and have not lost any hair. I would do what your surgeon recommends, after all you trusted him with your life in surgery, trust he knows what is best post surgial. Good luck
   — barbara A.

December 21, 2002
Your post-op eating plan sounds a lot like mine. I started soft foods (never did pureed) at 12 days post-op. My first meal was thin cream of wheat; went from there to scrambled eggs, baked potato, refried beans with cheese, canned tuna, canned salmon, baked fish, soft, well cooked vegetables, etc. I could only eat a couple of bites at a time but my surgeon insisted on three meals a day. I did not supplement protein at first. In fact, I don't think I did supplements til after about three months and my doctor didn't even suggest them until I was at about 8 months and had hit a plateau. It is far more important that you get a little food and as much fluids as possible this early. The protein really isn't that urgent this early out - in fact, my surgeon wouldn't let us have anything that was milk based for two months. Milk-based does not include cottage cheese or yogurt. I lived on cottage cheese for about 4 months. You will real all kinds of different eating plans on the board - talk with your surgeon or his nutritionist and do your best to follow his post-op plan - you doctor is the only one who knows exactly what your insides are like. If you have concerns about something, discuss it with the doctor. Open RNY - 11/29/01 -160 pounds
   — Patty_Butler