Question:
What are the effects of eating solids too soon?

I am 12 days post op (open RNY). At my post op appointment to remove my staples (9 days post op), my surgeon said I could now eat soft foods (yogurt, eggs, applesauce) for "three or four days" then I could introduce pastas and chicken. Then he said to gradually introduce news foods, chew slowly. So here I am 12 days post-op with a green light to eat real food. I haven't had any problems, however it concerns me since most folks on this board are on liquids for weeks then soft foods for quite a while. I trust my surgeon, and he is a highly respected bariatric specialist. It just seems his advice is not consistent with the orders everyone else got.    — Poppy W. (posted on January 21, 2001)

January 21, 2001
my doctor told me to introduce soft and solid foods as i felt like i could... i had my surgery on a tuesday, and by the following friday, i was eating blended yogurt, scrambled eggs, creamed soups, etc... i think the most important thing is to chew, chew chew... obviously, i wouldn't recommend trying heavy meats, like steak or dry chicken, or hard to digest greens like lettuce and cabbage, but try soft foods, and chew chew chew!
   — Sarah Z.

January 21, 2001
Hi. I am pre-op but this diet sounds very similar to what my surgeon recommends. I too, have wondered about it as your are right, I do seem to read that many are on liquids and pureed foods for quite a while longer than a week or two.
   — Karen F.

January 22, 2001
> It just seems his advice is not consistent with the orders everyone else got. There is no consensus. Some docs prefer liquids for weeks, some for days. Mine suggested soft foods or pencil eraser-sized portions of meat as soon as I was comfortable enough after surgery. There is no right or wrong protocol. Don't sweat it, and see you on the other side.
   — blank first name B.

January 22, 2001
Don't worry. My surgeon has been doing gastric bypass for 30+ years. He's a founding member of the Bariatric Surgeons. He has them bring us cooked cereals, puddings, yogurts, coffee, hard sugar-free candy and such in the hospital. We have to wait 2 weeks to go onto regular foods -- that's all! We do just fine. The only exception is 2 more weeks before introducing raw fruits and vegetables. Chewing is the key! Best wishes
   — Cindy H.