Question:
I had surgery on 11/7/07

I've been on liquids since then,when can I start with my protein and vitamins, they said on my 8th day, also can i only have water,broth, and jello during my 1st week, or do you have any other ideas?    — yany (posted on November 11, 2007)

November 11, 2007
Every doctor has a different time frame for liquid to food advancement. Be sure to follow what your doc says. In addition to what you mentioned...I lived on suger free ice pops. The chewing of the ice pops helped curb my hunger thoughts and helped get the liquid in. I would assume that any clear fluids are fair game. As far as vitamins, I was taking the chewables from the minute I got home from the hospital. Good Luck!
   — MariaRN

November 11, 2007
Hey there! First, congrats on having your surgery!! Welcome to the loser's bench. Every surgeron is different; so I would check, double check and check in with your surgeon or your surgeon's nutrionist. My surgeon's plan was: clear liquids in the hospital - if OK with that, full liquids. Discharged on full liquids (broth, juice, creamed soup, yogart smoothie (Lite and Fit - by Dannon), pudding, popsciles. That for 2 weeks from day home from hospital - as soon as staples came out - pureed food (for a week). I would buy select soups from Vons deli and puree (chicken noodle and chicken tortilla); then went to soft foods - tuna, shrimp cocktial, saltines, applesauce, cottage cheese, refried beans, salsa, etc. Again, check with your surgeon's office and get a list by week as to what you can and can't have. It's important to follow YOUR surgeon's guidelines. Good luck!
   — jammerz

November 11, 2007
I agree with following your surgeons plan but for me, I had surgery 10 days ago and have lost 34 lbs. The first two weeks, liquids only, water, broth, jello, sf popsicles, skim milk, carnation instant breakfast drink, sf hot chocolate and then the next 3 weeks soft foods: cottage cheese, pureed lean meats, soups, soft veggies, smooth yogurts, eggs, bananas, diced peaches/pears...pretty much everything then after that it's up to me to try all foods as tolerated. I came home taking my multi vitamin then at 2 weeks started the calcium, iron and B12. But please check with your doctor. I know how these 2 weeks have been for me, I'm so sick of the fluids that I don't know what to do but hang in there.
   — PAWLLA L.

November 12, 2007
Well I just had surgery on the 7th too. Its kind of frustrating already, eating or should I say drinking the same thing over and over. My full liquid diet includes, puddings and yogurt (without fruit chuncks) and of course smoothies, fruit juice, cream of wheat cereal, cream soups strained, jello, all surgar free. Look in the health food sections, there are different flavored broths, just watch the sugar level. But just lke everyone else, follow Dr orders, they may know something you don't, don't be afraid to ask the why questions.
   — Pam_B_OR