Question:
When post op do you start watching carbs?

I notice some post-ops eat mashed pot., cream of wheat etc. I am pre-op and would like to know when I should becomeaware of the carbs iam eating.    — Pat B. (posted on October 5, 2003)

October 5, 2003
I was not watching carbs until about the 3rd week. Then I increased my eggs, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, refried beans (old el paso makes it low fat) and left behind the carbs. Best wishes -
   — M B.

October 5, 2003
Good question! I may not have the "right" answer but I would say during the first few weeks after surgery it's okay to eat these because we are healing and our little pouches are very inflamed, therefore, we can only eat a tablespoon or so during that time. Not an awful lot of carbs in a couple of tablespoons of these! Remember to drink your protien as much as you can and don't forget - we can still dump at this early stage! (this I know from personal experience!) Just make sure everything is sugar free or no sugar added, use artificial sweeteners. Hope this helps! Good luck!
   — Pambylah

October 5, 2003
I am currently eating some mashed potatoes & cream of wheat etc. I will just play it by ear, everything according to my doc must be of the pureed stage for 6 weeks, I try to eat beans & cottage cheese and things like that too along with a small protein drink a day!
   — Saxbyd

October 5, 2003
Pat, I would say after the first 6 weeks or when you are eating normally at 8 weeks. I then started eating all protein. The first 6-8 wks, you are just re-adjusting to your new tummy and you can't screw the surgery up at this point. But, after that and for the first 6 mos, you want to maximize your losses. Good Luck. Heather Open RNY 8/15/02 - 305/183/150
   — heathercross

October 5, 2003
Two weeks before surgery! That is when my surgeon has us start a protein and veggies only diet to shrink our livers before surgery and help us focus on our new eating plans. My post-op plan put is on solid real food at 7 days PO with zero carbs for 6 weeks. This kept our bodies in max ketosis and avoided the need to get in min 60 grams of protein during this time and until we were able to eat larger quantities of food. <p>Follow what YOUR post-op plan says and no one elses. Your surgeon has developed a plan that has worked for his patients and it's important that you stick with it. If you are having any problems with it talk to him or the dietician. I think it is critical to follow your surgeon's plan until at least 4-6 months PO and longer if it's working great for you.
   — zoedogcbr

October 5, 2003
I've eaten good carbs all along...much more limitedly now than preop but I still incorporate them into my diet. If I just can't stomach the idea of eating (and it has happened many times), I can usually get a bowl of soup or some mashed taters down. It just can't be a large part of your diet. Protein first, then veggies, then fruit and then starch and always good starches (whole grains, etc.). I eat a bowl of Malt-O-Meal 4 or 5 times a week now to get my folate in (I'm deficient - the only deficiency I have). If I noticed my wieght loss stalling or reversing it would be the first thing to go!
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 5, 2003
I was watching the carbs from the get go only because I was trying to get in as much protein as I could from the start. I have managed to hit or excede the 60 grams from about 6-7 days out by avoiding the carbs. I found many soft foods that were not carbs but were protein. I drank my Real Meals shakes and ate yogurt and cottage cheese and still do for the most part (not the yogurt anymore because it does nothing to keep me full) but have added many meats and cheese to my diet as well as veggies and some fruits over time.
   — Carol S.