Question:
My doctor was very specific about a post-op diet to prevent obstructions

I've been reading all of these postings pertaining to post-op life and while all of my questions are being answered by this site(the best site I've ever seen)I am shocked to see what most people are eating. Chicken and chili 12 days post-op(doesn't chili have ground beef or turkey in it?)fruit and tortillas, and I'm worried about lasting until monday(15 days post-op)so I can have some tuna finally. Won't chicken and ground beef at this stage cause a obstruction in my pouch or has my surgeon just said this to instill a little fear? Pacific Bariatric is said to be very conservative.    — Jennifer T. (posted on January 18, 2003)

January 18, 2003
It seems that each surgeon has different postop diet preferences. Some have people on liquids and then pureed foods, until gradually people are allowed a general diet. My surgeon on the otherhand told me that I could eat nothing that would really harm my pouch. But he recommended staying with semi-soft stuff (mac 'n cheese soft) because he said it would be harder on me if I were on something harder and I overate. He said I'd be in severe discomfort. So I've been following his advice...most of my stuff is rather soft. I don't overeat. I stick to a controlled portion and then don't bother to eat all of that. Like I said, I bet if you were to survey 10 surgeons, not every one of those would agree with the same diet. I would follow what yours tells you because he's the one who is treating you. :) Good luck and take care.
   — Michelle B.

January 18, 2003
Chicken and Chili cause obstruction? Never heard of that. I think some docs eating plans are more conserive to minimize folks getting ill and throwing up. Now its not a big thing unless it becomes common. Throw up once, feel bad, sress out, next time stress BEFORe eating toss cookies. Pretty soon someone will say I vomit every time I eat. Under stress I get that way, and have learned to just skip a meal. But its really bad if it becomes habitual. Just my theory. Once you healed I did the eat whatever I tolerated after FIRST cutting everything into pencil eraser sized bits. Had rare porterhouse steak at one month. Just be patient, the had part surgery and planning it is over:) 6 months from now you will fear you can eat too much....
   — bob-haller

January 19, 2003
I think that every doctor is different. I am 12 days postop and was told on Friday to eat 5 mini meals a day and to experiment with different kinds of foods. Spicy foods, beef and rough foods are too much for right now but my dr. said to be logical about my food choices and not rush things. Yesterday I had tuna fish on reduced fat wheat thins. I ate very slowly, chewed well and tried only 2 or 3 at first. Today I had 5 of them for lunch. So far I've had no problem with anything so I could be a lucky (or unlucky) one. I am surprised at how different all the drs are. There doesn't seem to be any kind of consensus on postop diet. That is probably because people are so different.
   — susanje

January 19, 2003
Doctors arent all different... it is the patients who interpret the information differently and push the envelope too far. We all have the same surgery, for the most part cut using a standardized surgical template... but some of us dont listen! The docs dont want us to have problems... so they have to scare us into being conservative. The last thing they want is having you wretch up chicken breast at two weeks post op. You just have to use your head... and judge based on how you do. All docs agree on taking it easy at first... do you best with puree and very soft foods. Even the strictest no carb docs will allow a little mashed potato or bean puree or potato soup for the first post op foods in those first days...graduating to tuna salad and shrimp salad... a little poached salmon mashed with some salad dressing for moistness. Think about what a bite of the food will be like when you chew it. If it will chew up moist and soft... and is a good protein food... it is probably allowed. I am also blown away at what people try to eat immediately post op. Try new protein foods slowly and proceed at your own speed. Some people can tolerate steak and pork and chicken in the first weeks... but most cant, so why risk it. Protein first is the most important rule...and all the surgeons agree on it. Finding what protein foods work for you is the mission.
   — SusanMaria