Question:
I can't stand purees anymore, will this hurt something?

I'm almost 3 weeks post op and my doctor wants me on purees for a month because he said he doesn't want me to throw up the first month but it's gotten really hard for me. Purees for the most part are gross to me and I'm getting sick of yogurt and creamed soups. I've been starting to eat softer foods like a little macaroni and cheese and scrambled eggs. Is this going to affect my progress? Thanks.    — Amy E. (posted on September 7, 2001)

September 7, 2001
It didn't hurt me. You might also try cottage cheese and refried beans. They have lots of protein. The pasta's not so good.
   — Meredith A.

September 7, 2001
My feeling is that if your doctor instructed you to have pureed foods for a month, then that is your safest bet. You only have a week to go, I would stick it out if at all possible. Good Luck.
   — [Anonymous]

September 7, 2001
Hi! There are reasons for being on liquids, then pureed foods before going to solids. There is info about it at this website: http://www.lkdobson.homestead.com explaining why, as well as a handy little gadget you can use to puree even tiny bits of food, rather than having to force yourself to eat baby food, etc. Good luck to you !!!
   — Lisa D.

September 7, 2001
Each of the wls surgeons seems to have a completely different diet for those first weeks post-op. It's probably best to only eat what your doctor tells you. My surgeon had us on soft foods for the first week only. That included cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and some refried beans, if we wanted. We were also allowed to have soda crackers with something soft on them. He told us to limit the creamed soups as they are often very rich and high in calories and you can consume alot of it as it runs right through your pouch. The second week we graduated to soft scrambled eggs, etc. At 14 months out, it is a bit hard to remember now, but it seems that I had no appetite at all the first few weeks and was generally pretty happy with protein supplements. I do remember eating lots of watermelon...well chewed. Hang in there. The six weeks will be over before you know it, and then you can really start to stress over what to eat! Your diet now may be boring, but at least it's easy.
   — Anne G.

September 7, 2001
My surgeon is one of the top bariatric surgeons in the country... he has modified his thoughts on this subject over the years and now believes that the soft diet in the third or forth week produces less strictures in his patients by putting very gentle pressure on the openings. He told us that over the years he has seen less stricture since he has shortened the liquid and puree periods and introduced the soft food diet earlier.
   — SusanMaria