Question:
I did something bad but it helped.

I am 7 days post op and supposed to be on clear liquids.The first 6 days I was stringent and followed all my instructions.I have been having the normal pain but have been unable to distinguish between surgical pain,intense hunger, and the feeling of being overly full.Yesterday, the pain was really bad despite meds.I kept thinking it was really bad hunger pains,but wasnt certain.I kept taking tea and sips of the protein shake, but it didnt help.I was feeling very weak and cranky and tired and couldn't concentrate.Finally,I ate an ounce of cottage cheese and within minutes, felt tons better.Later, I ate one and a half sticks of low fat string cheese that I chewed to smithereens.It took me about an hour 15 to eat it.I know I shouldnt be eating anything yet, according to my surgeon,but I feel great if I do it and terrible if I dont.What should I do?    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 21, 2002)

January 20, 2002
My surgeon had me eating soft/pureed foods on my last day in the hospital. Don't beat yourself up! It's always good to follow your doctor's advice, but in this case I know plenty of other people who didn't do liquids for weeks on end and did just fine. Go with your gut ('scuse the pun)!
   — PT LawMom

January 21, 2002
I think all surgeons are different. I left the hospital on soft/pureed food and did fine up until I had a stricture. I would pace yurself and eat slowly everyday is a learning experience for me. I think things like mashed potatoes, cottage cheese and applesauce are fine. Ther is a web site by Dr. Husted that list food for the first 8 weeks. I don't know the address but maybe another poster does. Good Luck!
   — Krista B.

January 21, 2002
I had open RNY distal and my doctor also had me on puree before leaving the hospital. On day 9 I had some burbon chicken (I chewed the snot out of it) and did just fine. Two days later when I was at the doctors office my hubby ratted on me! My doc asked if I chewed it well (yes) and if it made me sick (no) he said good. After all it was my birthday! Right now I do "a lot" of cottage cheese at 2 & 1/2 weeks and haven't had any problems with soft cooked food including chicken. IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD THING TO FOLLOW YOUR DOCTORS INSTRUCTIONS but I know I would of croaked on the 'liquid forever' plan. lol
   — Laurie W.

January 21, 2002
I did the exact same thing! I started eating cottage cheese when I was supposed to be drinking just liquids. I told the nutritionist (why lie?) and she didn't have a big problem with it, once I blended it first, which I never did, but I chewed to death. I know it may not have been the right decision, but it was the only thing that gave me some energy back. So don't worry. If you start getting sick or having pain because of eating it, stop, but it sounds like you're doing fine. Good Luck!
   — Deborah W.

January 21, 2002
I did the same thing also. I started eating cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, even small bits of turkey 1 week post-op. I just couldn't shake the constant hunger on the liquids. While my nutritionist (NOT surgical patient) was HORRIFIED.. a LOT (ALL post-ops) of people said.. take it easy.. take it slow..chew the HECK out of it. Make sure you know how it's going to set on your stomach before you have much.. and GO FOR IT! After that first week of liquids, I started eating regular foods CAREFULLY... and never looked back!! I'm now 6 weeks post-op.. down 30 lbs and 28 inches..!! You do whatever works for YOU..as long as it's SAFE..! Good luck being a LOSER!!! :-)
   — Diane E.

January 21, 2002
My surgeon ordered soft foods before being discharged. The only problem was with me. I couldn't keep the food down. If you can keep it down I don't see the problem, just chew it very, very well.
   — Nynese W.

January 21, 2002
They would not discharge me from the hospital UNTIL I ate something, soft solid. I always wonder why the liquid only diets. My surgeon has done hundreds and has had no problems with starting food that early on. I did eat steak the first week and turkey the second (for thanksgiving), and choo-choo-chooed. Did just fine. I wasn't supposed to try meat until 4-6 weeks, but if foods are chewed until they are of a puree consistency, I don't see the difference. I never pureed anything, my teeth did all the work. Obviously you will make your own decision, just be careful if you decide to chew foods.
   — Cheri M.

January 21, 2002
I was on clear liquids my first two weeks and then full liquids for the following two weeks. It was awful!!! I cheated around my third week, taking bites of 'real' food, chewing them up, then spitting them out. I would probably been better off starting soft foods a little earlier... I was miserable! I don't think you did anything awful, or anything 99% of us didn't also do :)
   — DonnaCarol

January 21, 2002
Glad to know others doing well on soft foods BEFORE that interminable "3 weeks" is up! I managed the liquids ok for first week after surgery, but for a couple of days now have had to ease into the soft food range, chewing carefully. There's been no pain or vomiting, but everyone has their own tolerance level.
   — Janis H.

January 21, 2002
I have to say that doctors don't "always" have the answer on this question and although I am a BPD/DS patient I had to relay what happened to me in the hospital. Two days after surgery, they took me off IV's and put me on clear liquids...fine right? Well, that night I developed severe pains in my tummy. Next day, the same. What did the doctor do? Put me back on IV's thinking I couldn't tolerate the clear liquids. On day 4 I finally figured out that I was hungry, told the doctor and he wouldn't even listen. Said that that wasn't possible. Took me off IV again and believe me, i didn't complain about the pains when all I had was clear liquieds. I got home the next day. What did I eat? Pureed chicken, mashed potatos and mashed green beans. Did I feel better? You bet. Never felt those pains again. The doctor just couldn't believe that I knew what I was talking about so he went with his own method and then, I went with mine at home. Never looked back and lost all my weight completely plus alittle more. My point is this....only YOU know what you are feeling. If it's not right for you, you're body will tell you so. Listen to it. Good luck to you. NO, I am NOT advocating not listening to the doc, only that I think you know more about "you" than he does.
   — Barbara H.

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