Question:
7 weeks p.o. and not following eating plan, I'm scared and don't want to fail.

I am having a hard time. My surgeon requires 6 weeks of clear fluids which I did not do. I added some full fluids in week 3. I was so weak and tired I had to add some nutrition. I didn't eat anything that would do damage to my pouch. Now I'm in week 7, supposed to be on full fluids and I'm actually doing full fluids + puree. I just can't seem to follow exactly what the surgeon said. I just finished some loose mashed potato with a little grated cheese melted on top. I think it will stay with me but it's 50/50 that I may hurl in 1-2 hours. If I do hurl, then I go back on just fluids for the rest of the day. I also have alot of daily heartburn, acid backing up, that I thought I would not have since the acid producing part of the stomach is transected from the pouch. But there it is! and soft foods stop the acid from creeping up into my throat. I take Zantac morn and night but sometimes it works and sometimes not. I have lost 43 lbs (in the first 3.5 weeks po) and nothing for a couple of weeks now. I want to be on track, lose steadily and have enough energy to get through my day. I have tried protein shakes and can't always tolerate them. My surgeon did not require them anyway. I like it but we don't have NSA CIB here in Canada (I don't order from the US online either, too many hassles at the border) So I'm looking to the experts here at OH for a little guidance and some suggestions for full fluid/puree/soft foods and drinks that could help me. I'm not sure if my problem is lack of willpower, head hunger, or my body telling me I need a few more calories.    — mary ann T. (posted on September 19, 2003)

September 19, 2003
I never advocate going around your surgeon's instructions, though I completely sympathize with that long of a liquid diet. This journey has to be a partnership that includes your health care professionals. My advice is to talk to your doctor. Explain that you sped up the food plan, and why. Tell him about your concerns and see what he has to say. He may very well approve of you speeding up the plan if it's working for you. If he doesn't, then buckle down, and go back on full liquids as long as he tells you to. But do not circumvent your medical team. They are there to help you. Consult your doctor or dietitian when you are having problems, issues and questions. They cannot help you if they don't know what's going on with you. The people on this site are very helpful and knowlegeable, but the vast majority of us are not medical professionals. We are providing opinions based on our own experience and research, but we do not substitute for medical care. Best wishes to you. This does get much, much easier once you get to a more normal food plan. In the meantime, stick it out.
   — Vespa R.

September 19, 2003
I completely agree w/ Vespa. Talk to your Surgeon. There may well be a reason for his insistance on the diet. I've personally had rebellious feelings toward my diet but I've stuck to it. Only after speaking to my Surgeon do I skip forward. My Surgeon is a reasonable man, who listens to my point of view. In many cases, he has agreed that I'm doing well and allowed me to test the waters. I'm sure that your Surgeon will do the same. Communicate, it's much better than finding yourself back in the hospital.
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 19, 2003
I'm not a doctor, obviously, so you can ignore my answer, but here it is - 7 WEEKS OF FLUIDS? WOW!!! I though my doc was conservative. To be honest, what I've done since my surgery two months ago was read through the "library" on this site, doing searches on "diet", etc. and kind of followed what most people did.
   — Postop_nurse