Question:
Is it possible that my body does not agree with my doctors post op diet

My doctors post op diet plan consists of 4 phases, each lasting 2 weeks each. To start is clear liquids, then full, then pureed. Phase 4 starts on regular food with 3 phases for 2 weeks each. The more research I have done I have found that most start on soft foods and move to regular foods around 3-4 weeks. I lost 21 pounds the first 2 weeks and nothing since. I'm hungry all the time and really feel like my body is ready to eat. I think it is in starvation mode and holding on to fat. I want to jump start it and believe eating will do it. Has anyone gone against their doctors diet plan. I have cheated a bit with chicken and tuna salad, cheese and crackers. No problem.    — Regina J. (posted on July 9, 2003)

July 9, 2003
Okay, I'll be the first to admit it - YES, I did go against my surgeon's rcommendations. He wanted me on pureed foods for 3 whole months! About 6-8 week after surgery I stopped pureeing my cottage cheese, soups etc. I didn't have any problems, and quickly learned what I could and could NOT tolerate. I was very careful not to take big bites and did not eat anything that was 'hard'. I'm sure some people will jump all over me for not following my surgeon's diet plan, but I figure there are so many variations out there depending on the surgeon, so mine can't be the only one who is right! I've seen others post that dieticians are more apt to have a good eating plan for us than the surgeon. At three months I am already half way to goal of losing 100% of the excess weight. Good luck! Barb 4/07/03 235/180/126-130
   — Barbara C.

July 9, 2003
My docter had me on mushy foods (cream of wheat and yogurt) and liquids for 6 weeks, pureed food for 6 and then to regular food. I lasted about 4 weeks on mushy/ liquid and 1 or 2 weeks on pureed and then switched to regular food. Just make sure to chew, chew and chew some more. Oh and be prepared to explain why you have a piece of something stuck in your pouch when your only supposed to be on clear liquids. ha ha ha. rny 06/03/02 5"8 294/154.
   — Les K.

July 9, 2003
I'm going to go against the previous posters and suggest that you follow your surgeon's plan. He has reasons for setting it up the way he does. I think you're asking for trouble to be eating sharp foods like crackers and dense foods like chicken this early, especially when your doctor is planning for you to still be on full liquids. I think that some surgeons use these longer stages for a couple of reasons. One is to be sure that you're healed inside before giving your pouch and intestines things to deal with that they're not ready for. I think another reason is that the doctor wants to be sure that you can exercise discipline over your eating habits by requiring some control on your part from early on, and not letting you off the hook, so to speak, until you've had time to practice it. I think these longer stages may also be used as a way to help battle head hunger. Most people aren't truly hungry in these first four weeks that he has you on liquids (I'm sure some of you have experienced real hunger--don't flame me--I just think it's the rare exception). Extending out the time until you eat regular foods gives you more time to tame the head hunger demon. Of course, I don't know for sure that this is your surgoen's thinking, but there is some merit to the approach. If you are truly hungry, then I suggest calling the surgeon's office and asking if he will allow you to move to pureed foods early, but I would not take that on on my own.
   — Vespa R.

July 9, 2003
We'll see if I can hold out, but I plan to follow my doc orders: 2 days of clear liquids, 2 weeks of full liquids, then purreed until 8 weeks postop. Two weeks of clear liquids sounds pretty tough to me - but I was told it takes 8 weeks to be completely healed and that is why nothing regular until then. Are you getting in enough protein and calories? It sounds like your doc has thought out his plan pretty carefully - but I do know many do not follow the instructions to the letter - please just be careful - you don't want an obstruction!
   — bethybb

July 9, 2003
Your surgon has you on the eating plan for a reason. When we have gastric bypass, our stomachs are very sensitive and healing. I was on liquids for the first 2 weeks, pureed for 4 and soft foods for 4 mos. When I hit 5 mos, I can start eating regular foods. I tried soft foods while still in my first week of pureed foods, andlet me tell you, that was the most misrable expierence of my life. I hurt for almost 2 days. I was ready to go to the er it was so bad. My advise, follow the doc's diet, and stay away from the scales. I weigh in every other week, and that works good for me. I tell you what helped me, is if you can tolerate milk, to drink the 1% sweet acedopholous milk. I started out with 2 oz every 3 or 4 hours, and that helped a lot with the food cravings. I also drink milk or water when I start getting hungry. Good luck and God bless!! 10.5 weeks out, down 47 lbs
   — mellyhudel

July 9, 2003
My wls is scheduled for Aug7/03. My surgeon's plan is 6 weeks clear fluids, 2 weeks full fluid(strained-no lumps, peices or fibers), 2 weeks pureed(cream of wheat, pureed fruits), 2 weeks soft(cottage cheese, cooked veg-carrot, potatoes), then on to regular foods as tolerated(ground meats, peeled fruits, salad). This plan gives me 12 weeks of healing time inside before any solids. That's his plan and I'm sticking to it. If I go insane, my hubby and friends will help me through it without offering foods.
   — mary ann T.

July 13, 2003
Hi All, My doctor said after 8 days I could eat anything I could handle. I was in the hospital until day 8, he told me to try and eat Wendy's chili or Taco Bell meat. I am 4 weeks out of surgery and am nauseous every minute. I find it odd my surgeon said I can eat most anything this soon. Everytime I eat ANYTHING I feel so sick for hours. It's not from eating too much, because I rarely put more than 2 bites in my mouth.
   — MJ G.