Question:
WHY DO WE NEED TO STAY ON BLENDERZIED FOODS FOR 3 MONTHS?

I AM 9 WEEKS POST OP AND DOING PRETTY WELL, I HAVE EATEN CRACKERS, WATERMELON, CANTELOUPE, SMALL PIECES OF CHICKEN, NO PROBLEM IF I CHEW WELL AND EAT SLOWLY BUT I'M FEELING GUILTY BECAUSE I HAVEN'T EATEN BLENDERIZED FOODS FOR THREE MONTHS...DOES ANY ONE KNOW WHY WE HAVE TOO ? WILL I SCREW UP ANYTHING BY NOT DOING THIS ..THANKS    — CYNTHIA W. (posted on March 25, 2003)

March 25, 2003
Diferent doctors have different recovery plans for their patients; mine has me on clear liquids, vitamins, and protein shakes for 1 month, then I progress to "soft foods". Another of our local docs does the 3 months of purees. The idea is to give your pouch time time to heal. By eating tough, dense food early in the recovery process, you could cause scar tissue to form, which could possibly narrow or even block your stoma. Do you wanna chance it? You hired your surgeon for his expertise - why do you wanna throw that same expertise out the window because you're impatient? Grab a protein shake and chill, woman . . .
   — RWH G.

March 25, 2003
I completely understand wanting to eat normal foods, especially if you can handle everything. But just like the previous poster said, you can really harm your new pouch if you don't follow your surgeon's food instructions. Although most of us feel relatively fine within a few weeks after surgery, our stomachs and intestines have just been moved around and cut and stapled, so they need alot of time to heal. Every nutritionist and surgeon is different with his rules, but almost everyone I have seen doesn't want you eating regular solid food until 3 months out, whether it be liqids, purees or just soft foods right before. I was on a soft food diet, so I could eat deli chicken and turkey, and yogurt, eggs, cheeses, soups, potatoes, etc. but had to wait on regular meat and nuts and salads. You have 3 more weeks, then you can eat normally again! Goodluck to you :-)
   — Lezlie Y.

March 25, 2003
Hel-lo! I NEVER "blenderized" food. And didn't even have a protein drink after week 2. I am 7 mo. post-op, down 115 lb, perfect blood work, and from size 30 to size 18.... I'm glad I didn't have your doctor because I do EVERYTHING my doc says.......get a second opinion...... and do what FEELS right..........
   — Debby M.

March 25, 2003
Hel-lo! I NEVER "blenderized" food. And didn't even have a protein drink after week 2. I am 7 mo. post-op, down 115 lb, perfect blood work, and from size 30 to size 18.... I'm glad I didn't have your doctor because I do EVERYTHING my doc says.......get a second opinion...... and do what FEELS right..........
   — Debby M.

March 25, 2003
yup seems all Dr's are different coz I was eating soft foods 3 days after surgery and was eating meat 2 weeks later! I wouldnt feel guilty if it seems you are doin fine and not having problems
   — christine S.

March 26, 2003
I was on pureed foods and liquids for the first week post op. Then on soft foods for the next 3 weeks post op. I am still on double protein shakes, and it's not a problem. Every physician is different.
   — aprilbaree