Question:
Do different Doctors use different diet protocols?

I have noticed from many of the postings here that my surgeon has me on a very restricted diet. I am now 6 weeks post-op. The first 2 weeks I was only allowed clear liquids. Then for the next 9 weeks I am only allowed soup, yogurt, mushy cereal cottage cheese and other very soft foods. I read a posting and after only 5 weeks a patient was able to eat real food. Any idea why my surgeon is so restrictive for such a long time after surgery? (I have already lost 40 pounds!!!)    — Lisa B. (posted on June 3, 1999)

June 3, 1999
Follow YOUR doctors advice ... He/she knows you and your specifics. You might also go to http://www.gicare.com/pated/edtgs22.htm just for a sample time table of what the diet should be ... this was very close to what I was instructed to do. What may work for someone else ... may not work for you. And then there's always the old saying my Mom used on me repeatedly ... "If someone else jumped off the bridge would you do it too?" :) I think you should at only 9 weeks post op ... you're doing precisely what you should be if you're following your doctors instructions. Good luck!
   — Sherrie G.

June 3, 1999
Lisa, It seems like and eternity but you will survive. My surgeon was the same way and I thought I was going to die. I slipped occassionally and sliced up a pickle in a thousand slivers and sucked on it til it dissolved, but short of that I stuck to liquids for 3 weeks and then soft foods for 4-6 weeks. It gave me a really good jump start so try to look at the positive and don't think about all the food you miss. Now is the time to work on all the issues that make you want to eat. Find support, Online, friends, therapists, etc. That will help, and don't forget to keep walking and moving about. Good luck and feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Allison
   — Allison Mupas

June 4, 1999
Lisa, All doctors have different post-op diets. Some actually let them eat regular foods when they go home! My doc said liquids first few days, then purees for 3 weeks, then soft foods and regular foods as tolerated. I started on regular foods in the third week....lost 40 lbs in the first month and 3 days! I actually found that the weight started to fall off quicker when I did start to eat regular foods! Some docs feel that the area needs more time to heal so they have you on liquids longer, other's feel that it is best to get you used to the foods right away....most do the liquids for some period of time though! Polly
   — PollyAnna F.

June 4, 1999
Lisa - Sounds like your doctor is making sure you have a very successful experance! My doctor's recomendations are about the same. He says, that way you don't rip out the staples, or chance a blockage. Diet is a very indevidule thing too. You will find that out when you do start on "real food". Some people can eat any thing and some can't. However, it sounds like it is going well for you as far as weight loss. Congradulations!
   — Fran W.

June 4, 1999
Yes, Every dr. seems to have his own protocol. My dr. believes that there should be no food restrictions at all. The 2nd day after surgery I was served a chicken breast, potatoe and vegetable. He told me to eat whatever I wanted and if I had a problem with something to wait a month and try it again. Today I can eat absolutely anything...inc. steak which he said gives most people problems. I've often wondered if eating regular food so soon after surgery helped with my not having any problems now. (I do have a staplre line disruption and I suppose that could be the reason also.
   — ellen R.

June 4, 1999
I had to follow the strict diet you are following also. I have noticed that those of us who did this seem to have less complications down the road. It is to give the insides the best chance to heal and prevent adhesions etc. Do what you are told, and it will pay off in the end.
   — JAN C.

June 20, 1999
Every Dr. has their own post-op diet. I was on soft, pureed 5 days after surgery. Stayed that way for 5 weeks then progressed to anything I wanted. I have lost 140 pounds in 11 months. I had the VBG.
   — Donna D.

September 26, 1999
Doctors are so very different! WE have 4 weeks of clear liquids, then soft, then food in short order. In my day, back 5 yrs ago, 3 wks clear liquids, then FOOD. We are forbidden milk and sugar FOR LIFE. They will bring the wt back, or slow the loss. But we take supplemented protein and a certain set of vites. We do not automatically take B12, unless our labs indicate we should.
   — vitalady