Question:
Is it normal for the dr. to request only liquids for 6 weeks after surgery?

My doctor gave me the post op diet and the diet is requesting his patients to be on a strict liquid only diet for 6 weeks? Has anyone had the same thing and was able to stick to it. Surgery date 4/27/01.    — LANIE M. (posted on April 25, 2001)


April 25, 2001
I am 2 wks post op (open RNY). My dr does 3 wks liquid, 3 wks puree/soft. He told me that 1. you have to let the stomach (pouch) heal and the intestines heal and 2. if you can't handle this 6 wks how do you expect to live the rest of your life this way? It made complete sense to me. However, I can NOT tolerate anything but water and SF popsicles right now. I think you'll be fine and remember soupy cream of wheat counts as liquids.
   — Laura S.

April 25, 2001
My Doctor has us for 4 weeks on liquid only (w/ jello and broth), then 3 weeks with creamy soups added; then 3 weeks with pureed foods added; then, finally, "hard" foods.
   — Mary H.

April 25, 2001
My doc said liquids for week one, soft solids thereafter. Then gradually begin new foods. Of course, I'm five weeks post op and am sitting here eating chicken curry while I type so I guess I'm not a model patient. lol Good luck!!
   — Rebecca L.

April 25, 2001
All doctors are different and one is not better than the other - my doctor keeps us on clear liquids the first week and then soft protein only for the first month - after that slowly add what is tolerable. He is real strict about red meat - none until 6 months after surgery.
   — Patricia C.

April 25, 2001
Hi I would like to say that I had to be on a clear liquid diet for 3 days before wls and then clear liquids for 2 weeks after wls, then full liquids for 2 weeks, then puree for 4 weeks, soft for 2 weks, then finally regular diet at 3 months!!!!!! I hate jello now and will throw up at the site of broth, but other than that I handled the diets. At about 2 months, I cheated and told the doctor, and he allowed me to go to regular foods early. Every doctor is different, but you will see how you feel after wls and talk to your doctor if you are having trouble, ok?? Good luck.........
   — LISA K.

April 25, 2001
My surgeon, who has an excellent long-term success rate, requires <b>eight</b> weeks of liquids (or as he puts it, whatever can go through a straw). Different surgeons have different criteria, but that was mine. It was very, very hard to stick to, but for the most part I managed. I'm now 9 weeks post-op and eating mostly whatever I want. Except bread. Bread is the enemy right now. ;^)
   — Suzanne B.

April 25, 2001
Liquids for 6 weeks post op seems reasonable, I am currently on liquids pre op. I will be on an all liquid diet for 6 weeks pre op. This is to help lose weight around the internal organs prior to the WLS. I really think all surgeons are different and someday in the future a standerdized procedure will be adapted. Hang in there, and try to do as you Dr. advises. We are their best teachers.
   — Katherine R.

April 25, 2001
My doctor has his patients on a clear liquid diet for four weeks. That means I can only have jello, broth, popsicles, crystal light, sugar free kool aid and well that's about it! What I wouldn't do for just a little bit of yogurt or something with texture! UGH only 17 days left to go! Then I can anything soft or anything crispy. I don't know if I am going to make it. :(
   — Virginia N.

April 26, 2001
I don't know if there is any such thing as normal. I am currently 10 days post-op prox RNY. I was on clear liquids then full liquids in the hospital I was sent home on a 'soft foods' diet for 3 months. I am eating things like soup, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, tuna, refried beans, crackers, with no problem. I tried some moist chicken (which is on the soft foods diet) with no problem. i am amazed at how the dr's recommendtions are all over the board. I love those SF popsicles and could probably subsist on them for a week but how would I get any protein, other than protein shakes? Or is protein not so important at this point, and keeping hydrated by getting fluids in is what should be concentrated on? I am not having trouble drinking or eating but even with the 'real food' I am eating I am not getting anywhere near 50-60 grams of protein. I've had problems with the 2 different protein shakes I've tried so far. But if some doctors dictate clear liquids for 6 wks there can't be much protein consumption in that so does the protein matter so much early? Sorry for rambling but I find this all very confusing!!!
   — Karen F.




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