Question:
Is anyone on strictly liquids for 3-4 weeks after surgery?
I am somewhat confused. I know that doctor's and guidelines are different but I keep reading that people are on liquid diets before surgery and after, eating foods within a couple weeks of surgery and drinking protein shakes. My doctor says liquids the day before surgery and after, liquids only for 3-4 weeks, including 3 glasses of milk daily equaling 2 qts a day and then after I see the doctor I go on soft foods for a couple of weeks then progressing on. As for protein, for the first 4 weeks, I get it from the milk only, not allowed to add any shakes or mixes to it. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? Like I said, I've not heard anyone talk about this specific diet before/after surgery. I'd appreciate any/all answers just so I know I am on the right road. — PAWLLA L. (posted on September 6, 2007)
September 5, 2007
I was on liquids for 4 days before operation and 1 week after but could
drinkd protein drinks. Then went to soft foods for another 2 weeks and so
on.
— Alvernlaw
September 5, 2007
I was on liquids for 6 weeks. Time seemed like it slowed down for those 6
weeks, longest 6 weeks of mt fat life.........lol
It does go quick looking back on it. Just think of the weight you will lose
in those 4 weeks. Best Wishes, Mickey......
— MCraig3
September 5, 2007
I was on a liquid diet one day prior tp surgery, then liquids only (ensure)
for 2 weeks post op. I could have 1 oz of Ensure, any flavor, every other
hour with sips of water in between. After that I started on very soft
food...soft scrambled egg, creamed potatoes & soups etc for 2 more
weeks. I used a nutrionist for the first year post op & would have been
lost without her. Good luck.
— RedhairedCarol
September 5, 2007
I was on a liquid diet one day prior tp surgery, then liquids only (ensure)
for 2 weeks post op. I could have 1 oz of Ensure, any flavor, every other
hour with sips of water in between. After that I started on very soft
food...soft scrambled egg, creamed potatoes & soups etc for 2 more
weeks. I used a nutrionist for the first year post op & would have been
lost without her. Good luck.
— RedhairedCarol
September 5, 2007
I can only speak from experience. My DR. had me on full liquids( milk,
cream soups, juices etc) for two full weeks before surgery. He said this
would decrease the size of my liver, to get it out of the way of surgery,
as the liver sits right over the stomache and surgery site. But not only
that. I feel I had less complications after surgery than what I read on
this site. Most of my dr.s patients have less complications. I don't know
if this pre diet is why, but I know I went thru some strange feelings about
my diet change before surgery, and I know most people go thru after
surgery. As for protien shakes my Dr. recommends them to avoid hair loss as
well as maintain nutrition. You should talk to a dietition and ask her
advice. Your Dr. may also feel that the protien shakes are not good for
your liver. Long term protien shakes do have that effect, But that is long
term. Talk to your Dr. and ask him, I would be interested to know also. Do
you have a professional support system? Nurses that specialize in this
surgery and teach you about it? Your Dr.s nurse is also a good resource.
As for after surgery, you need to eat liquids for for a couple of weeks to
allow healing. Please let me know how you are progressing. Marsha
— madone2
September 5, 2007
All doctors are different. My doctor has a week before on low carb (his
office supplies)so that your liver will shrink and there will be more room
to do the surgery. Reguarding diet after surgery my doctor has a different
diet. Clear liquids in the hospital, full liquids for 3-weeks, pureed foods
for 3-weeks, soft foods for 3-weeks and then onto regular foods. Protien
drink are provided by the doctor for the first month, they just mix in with
water/crystal light/any sugar-free drink. Hope this helps.Paula
— Paula K.
September 5, 2007
I have never heard of this before, but like everyone else has said, each
doctor has their own program, and you have to listen to your doctor.
However, the program my dr office was different. Quick summary:
1 day before surgery-clear liquids
post surgery to 1 week after surgery- clear liquids only(sf jello, chicken
broth)
1week-1month post op-soft proteins(cot cheese, low fat yogurt, ff refried
beans, hard boiled eggs)
1 month-4 months- soft proteins plus some fruit and vegetables
4 months and beyond-everything(to a certain degree)
You have to exercise, that is the key.
— thevikster
September 6, 2007
I was on a 500 Calorie liquid diet for 2 weeks before surgery. Then I was
on liquids for 2 weeks after. I could have Jello, Broth, and Protein
Shakes. Then I went to pureeds for 2 weeks, then softs for a week, then
regular.
— Elizabeth S.
September 6, 2007
There seem to be so many different diets that Dr'.s want you to follow. I
found this one helpful:
http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf
But again you should follow your Dr.s instructions. Maybe if you take
him/her a copy of this he may approve.
— mariamahoa
September 6, 2007
My doctor had me on a high protein diet two weeks prior to surgery (two
high protein drinks & one high protein meal per day). After surgery I
was on clear liquids for three days. After day three I was on full liquids
(cream soups, pudding, jello, soupy grits, protein drinks, etc.) through
week five. Starting week six I could have soft foods. GOOD LUCK !!!
— AngelaC.
September 6, 2007
Each doc has his own ideas. My docs started doing these in 1963 and 1985,
so they have their idas set in concrete. When I had my WLS in 1994, we
could eat up til the last night. We were clears only for 7 days, then
clears, protein andvites for 3 more. Same docs today want 2-4 weeks clears
+ protein &vites BEFORE and then same as before after. 7 days clears
only, then 3 more weeks, clears, protein and vites. We never, ever use
milk, for anything, ever. So, proteins are made with water. We also do
not do a pureed stage, but go from clears/protein to soft food. Don't want
us to DRINK our food, but to learn to chew on soft stuff and then move on
to real food as tolerated. Each one has his ideas. To me, 3 glasses of
milk just means a few g of protein and as much sugar as a coke, so that
doesn't appeal to me with my knowledge today.
— vitalady
September 6, 2007
Good Luck drinking all that MILK!!! I am 4 years out and still can't drink
it (only a small sip). It made me deathly ill from day 1 after surgery...
And I was never encouraged to drink it. My husband and best friend also
had surgery and can't tolerate milk. BE CAREFUL not to get sick, you will
regret it!
— GAYLE CARMACK-LYONS
September 6, 2007
I was on liquids for the 2 weeks leading up to the surgery and for 4 weeks
after. I was able to drink high protein boost or slim-fast during this
time. But like you and others said, everyone is different.
— posprudence
September 6, 2007
My daughter always loved milk, but after surgery, is unable to tolerate it.
So you need to ask the dr if you can't drink it, what you should do.
Your dr requires a much stricter diet than most. Wonder why? You should ask
the question in a nice way, not to alienate. Sometimes, drs egos are so big
they are offended if you question.
There may be some people who follow guidelines to the letter, but I imagine
most experiment some.
Personally, without permission, I ate often, just a tiny bit, because I had
read that the body goes into starving stage when you are not taking in food
and that it screws up your metabolism. The nut told me it was ok if I only
ate once a day, but no more than 3 times a day.
Everyone is different. I am satisfied if I don't lose anymore as I have
lost 100 lbs and feel small. I didn't want my skin sagging any more than
needed. I am 65 yrs old and knew it would never shrink up.
— geneswife
September 7, 2007
If you are having a gastric bypass the milk part doesn't make sense to me
because milk has suagr and will cause dumping unless you use powered milk,
I work with 10 Doctors and every one has a different way of doing things.
— DonnaB.
September 7, 2007
Hi, I wish you well with your surgery. Good luck. I'm still fighting with
insurance to get mine. I'm a Pharmacist in New Mexico, so the below info is
based on my understanding and also on things i've heard other bariatric pts
discuss.
I believe the rationale for a PRE-OP liquid diet is to:
1. Start preparing you for the initial post-op diet of liquids and soft
foods. That way when you are post-op, it will be an easier transition.
2. Helps to shrink liver size and belly fat - which can make the surgery
less difficult for the surgeon since he/she can manuever better in the
abdominal cavity.
3. Helps you to decrease weight...even a modest amount of weightloss can
decrease your risk of complications from the surgery.
4. Some docs also just want to see how dedicated you are and how serious
you are about making these lifestyle changes...not all do, but I'm sure
some see it this way.
For post-op, the diet is to allow for healing and to slowly wean you back
to a regular diet. High protein and multivites can help prevent hairloss
and malnutrition. Stay away from sugar in your protein shakes...can cause
dumping syndrome and can defeat the surgery due to high calories.
— NMlakerFan
September 7, 2007
Hi,
I also like alot of other people get very sick from milk. I can't
even tolerate the light if I drink more then a half cup of 1% milk. I spent
most of the the first three weeeks eating egg drop soup and sugerless jello
and nothing else but water. Try milk slowly it is the worst to get sick
from. I would take dumping sickness over it any day.
ANNA
— ANNAJEAN
September 8, 2007
Just to add about milk, I was able to drink early on and never ever got
sick from it so you just may be okay with milk. No need to fret yet.
— KRWaters
Click Here to Return