Question:
My surgeon wants me on liquids for SIX WEEKS!
For the first week, he had me on clear liquids like broth and whatever worked for me to drink. (water somehow made me feel ill)At my 1 week post op visit, he told me he wanted me on creamy liquids like Cream of Potato and to strain out the chunks for 5 more weeks. I know this is the time that I will lose the most weight, and eating as he suggests will maximize my weight loss, but I am going crazy! And it's only been 2 weeks and a day! Does anyone else have a surgeon this strict? Am I going to starve to death? I'm not really hungry, but my brain keeps wandering to pizza, and burritos, and all the junk that made me fat in the first place. It is really going to be a struggle to make it six weeks! — Karma J. (posted on April 30, 2002)
April 30, 2002
Hi there! My doctor had the same plan. For about two weeks, we were on
clear liquids. Then we got moved to all liquids, which included cream soups
and creamed potatoes. Needless to say, by about week 3, I was climbing the
walls. Yeah right, week 2! I was having HORRID head cravings and such. It
was soooo awful! But finally week six came and it got better. This might
sound crazy and unhealthy, but a few times I chewed up some foods I was
craving and spit them out. Maybe once or twice a week. It actually made the
situation better! You realized that the craving for the foods was a lot
better than the actual food. When you tasted it, you realized you didn't
want it that bad. Good luck!
— Craig A.
April 30, 2002
My doctor actually does 8 weeks. First 3 weeks is liquids, but included
things like yogurt, mashed potatos. from 3 through 8, it is full liquid,
but can include pureed stuff and scrambled eggs. I guess since there is a
little more flexibility, it hasn't been so bad. Contrary to the last
poster's feelings about this, my surgeon and his associates do this because
they are very conservative. They want our insides to heal fully and for the
swelling to go down. I have a few more days left till I am officially off
the full liquid, and plan to ease into a regular diet. On this matter, I
just chose to dal with it for a little while, and trust my surgeon...that's
why I let him do my surgery! Hang in there. This will be past before you
know it!
— Linda B.
April 30, 2002
My post-op diet was Week 1-clear liquids.
Week 2-full liquids, i.e. soups, milk, etc.
Weeks 3-4 Pureed
Weeks 5-6 Soft, (no raw veggies or fruit (except banana & melon) and
basically anything that mushes easy in your mouth
After that, basically whatever you can tolerate.
I did great on that. Open RNY. Now 8 weeks post-op and down 62 lbs.
— Dell H.
April 30, 2002
WE do FOUR weeks clear! No whining! LOL! But then move to soft foods. I'm
not a fan of full ilquid or puree. To me, they are simply liquid grazing.
Too much volume, too much food. I'd rather see you have one or two bites of
burrito innards and be satisfied than 3/4C of milk (sugar) laden liquid
(and still feel head hunger).
— vitalady
April 30, 2002
I was 6 weks liquid. Now is the time to start a protein supplement. No you
won't starve to death. Us MO's were built for survival!LOL!! Take your
vite's , get creative with those liquids. Stay away from food commercials
and adds , keep your hands busy. I had a wate problem post op also. I had
to add crystal lite to my water to get it down otherwise I gagged. Good
luck , God bless you and stay with this site we (sisters and brothers) can
get you through ANYTHING!!
— Rose A.
May 1, 2002
Maybe my answer will be a bit unpopular as well, but here goes. My lap RNY
was 04/04/02...doctor had me on clear liquids for my 2 days hospital stay
and my homegoing instructions were to try small portions of scrambled egg,
yogurt, applesauce, soups, cottage cheese, etc...Every doctor is different
but I did find that as soon as I ate, I felt my energy skyrocket. It seems
like the liquids keep you so weak and drained. Tomorrow is my 4 week
anniversary and i can honestly say that i have lost approx 33lbs and i can
eat just about anything. I have cereal, chicken, fish, just about whatever
i want, but in small portions. i also make sure to chew everything very
well and I think that is the key. I just stay away from bread, pasta, rice
and raw fruits and veggies.
— Maria A. M.
May 1, 2002
It is so interesting how all of the doctors recommend different things.
There isn't anything wrong with it, they just have our best interest in
mind. My surgeon REQUIRES us to eat before we leave the hospital. They
brought me eggs (disgusted at the thought of it), mashed carrots, yogurt
and jello. I ate these, except the eggs, on day 2 and did fine. The only
things that were prohibited for 4 weeks were, salads, food with casing like
peas and corn, and meats. If it chewed up well, it was a 'go'. I even was
ok'ed to try a sliver of turkey at 2 1/2 weeks for Thanksgiving and did
fine. There may be a reason why some prefer their patients to wait a
little longer, you would have to discuss this with your doctor. But always
follow your doctors orders. It is probably really hard in the beginning,
but I have seen some really creative ways to spice up the liquid phase.
You can probably get some great ideas from the library here on AMOS. Some
very clever minds.
— Cheri M.
May 1, 2002
Well as I told my wife who ALSO had RNY WLS. If your going to cheat...DO IT
RESPONSIBLY. No beef jerky. Soft semi solids. Chew whatever to death, and
be careful. Take mini amounts, cut into pencil eraser sized bits. Many
cheat in a moment of weakness, I DONT recommend it but just try not to make
a bad choice. The time will pass faster than you know and you will be so
happy with your loss.
— bob-haller
May 1, 2002
"I'm not really hungry, but my brain keeps wandering to pizza, and
burritos, and all the junk that made me fat in the first place".... I
think you just need to be careful. The trick to the tool is to listen to
your tummy. You will not starve. You need to occupy your mind with
something else. Wierd as it was, I watched many a Food Network show during
this time. It was nice to look at food, not smell it and think about how I
would prepare these meals for me once I was able to eat again. After a
while, I got tierd of looking and food lost it's importance. It felt
empowering to be able to control my intake- FINALLY!
— Karen R.
May 1, 2002
My surgeon has us on clear liquids for a full 6 weeks...then soft foods for
another 6 weeks...then whatever your tummy can tolerate...I didn't think I
would make it, but I did..However, I'm all souped out.lol...
Lap RNY 08/29/01...130# gone..from 333 to 203!
— nguerra
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