Question:
Which foods should I buy?

Hi. Help, I'm totally confused. I'm scheduled for surgery on Sept.4th. I want to be as prepared as possible. I have no idea about which foods to purchase for post op. Can someone tell me if peanut butter, cranberry juice, tuna fish, apple juice are good foods to eat about 6 weeks postop or 8 weeks. I know immediately following surgery I'll be like on really soft easy stuff. I plan to buy cream of wheat, oatmeal, applesauce. I'm going to cook beans too. Also, can I eat turkey bacon too about 6 or 8 weeks post op. Thanks so much for helping out by answering these questions. Also, should I drink boost protein shakes afterwards too. Whew. So many questions, (Smile) Thanks, Darline    — Darline H. (posted on August 3, 2001)

August 3, 2001
Hi, I had open RNY on July 13. I did a little shopping beforehand, but not much. My doc set me up on a 3-phase menu. Phase 1 (right after surgery) was clear liquids (unsweetened jello, broths, juices (cranberry, apple, grape), and plenty of water). Phase 2 is where I am now. Flakey fish, pureed chicken, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, yogurt, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, oatmeal, bananas and baby food. Neither of these phases allow for bread. Your doc may have something different planned for you though. Check with your nutritionist.
   — Jennifer P.

August 3, 2001
Every doctor has their own diet, but here's my doctor's post-op dietary plan (I hope it posts in a readable form, if not it's also on my profile http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=White977083771): <p> STAGE ONE (IN THE HOSPITAL) <p> Start: After surgery, once bowel function begins, you may begin ice chips and sips of water when approved by your surgeon. <p> Duration: Usually the first day after surgery <p> Goal: Aim for one ounce of water per hour <p> STAGE TWO (DAY OF DISCHARGE AND AT HOME) <p> Start: Usually the second or third day after surgery <p> Duration: Usually through hospital stay (approximately 7-10 days) <p> Diet: Sugar-free clear liquids Take a children's chewable multivitamin/mineral supplement with iron twice daily <p> Goal: Aim for 4-6 ounces of fluid per hour for a total of 64 ounces per day <p> FOODS RECOMMENDED: ** Clear, no sugar added juices (no citrus) -apple, cranberry, or grape -dilute with 1part juice and 1 part water ** Clear broth or bouillon ** Herbal or decaffeinated tea or coffee ** Sugar-free gelatin ** Sugar free Kool Aide and Crystal Light (NO TEA FLAVORS) ** Fruit ice made with sugar free beverage such as Crystal Light or Sugar-free Kool Aide ** Sports drink containing no more than 50 calories per 8 ounce serving, such as Gatorade ** Sugar-free Popsicles <p> STAGE THREE <p> Start: As directed by your surgeon <p> Duration: Approximately one week to 10 days <p> Diet: Continue Stage Two -Add high protein drink (instant breakfast beverage and increase to a designer protein as tolerated) -Take sublingual (under the tongue) vitamin B-12, twice weekly <p> Goal: Aim for 4-6 ounces of fluid per hour, for a total of 64 ounces daily <p> STAGE FOUR <p> Start: As directed by surgeon (approximately 3 weeks after surgery) <p> Diet: Semi solid - slowly work up to approximately 4 ounces (1/2 cup) each meal <p> Duration: As tolerated, new foods will be added one at a time <p> Goal: Aim for 64 ounces of fluid per day to prevent dehydration <p> FOODS RECOMMENDED: (NO MORE THAN 4 OUNCES) ** All foods form previous stages - Continue protein supplement beverages - Unflavored Protein powder may be mixed with foods ** Cream of wheat, cream of rice or blended oatmeal ** Cheese containing less than 5 grams of fat per ounce ** Cottage cheese - low fat or non-fat ** Yogurt - non-fat sugar free - No fruit chunks ** Crackers containing less than 3 grams of fat per serving, such as melba toast, soda crackers, and plain graham crackers ** Potato - boiled and mashed with skin removed. Do not eat fried potatoes ** Blended soups - Chicken Noodle, Chicken Rice, Cream of Chicken, Cream of Mushroom, Turkey Noodle, Vegetarian Vegetable, Cream of Potato and Cream of Tomato ** Sugar-free pudding ** Scrambled egg <p> WHEN TO ADD "NEW" FOODS <p> FOUR Weeks Deli-shaved chicken or turkey Seafood - moist white fish or shellfish and tuna Tofu Example: Approximately 2 ounces of solid food or 2 Tablespoons with 2 crackers <p> FIVE Weeks Cold cereals - should not contain more than 3 grams of sugar per serving Toasted bread Rice Vegetables - soft cooked such as carrots, green beans, broccoli (may cause abdominal discomfort/gas) <p> SIX Weeks Fruits - canned or soft bananas, apples, melon, peaches - NO CITRUS Lettuce - raw <p> EIGHT Weeks Pasta - Do not use white sauces as they are usually high in fat, use sugar free red sauces instead Bread - untoasted bread Poultry - moist white meat - BAKED - DO NOT FRY OR EAT SKIN Raw vegetables/fruit, crunchy - peeled, no seeds (chew well) <p> SIX Months Red meat and pork - lean visible fat trimmed DO NOT FRY (chew well) Raisins and grapes <p> ALWAYS AVOID: Coconut Carbonated beverages Caffeine for 1 year Alcohol for 1 year
   — Lori W.

August 3, 2001
My recommendation would be a little different yet, without all the sugars, but more nutrition. I can email it to you if you like, but too bulky to reproduce here.
   — vitalady

August 3, 2001
I tried shopping before hand and wasted my money. I ended up giving all the expensive juices I bought away as NOTHING tasted good for six weeks! The only thing I should have done, (and did'nt) was to find out what protein I could drink BEFORE surgery. It was six weeks after surgery before I found a protein.
   — Danmark

August 17, 2001
My doctor set me up on clear liquids starting on the day after surgery and lasting for about 3-4 days (goal: 1 oz per hour). After about 4 days I progressed to very thin grits, cream of wheat (yuck!), sugar-free jello and puddings, sugar-free fudgesicles and popsicles (yum!), bland mashed potatoes (I couldn't tolerate a lot of salt or pepper post-op), soft fruits (bananas, canned in natural juices, etc). After I returned to my DR on August 16 (with a 22 lb weight loss since surgery on August 2, he told me to go ahead and start on fish, chicken, vegetable, etc. but to still avoid beef, pork, and bread for a little while longer. Good luck on your upcoming surgery.
   — DIANE H.