Question:
At 5 weeks post-op what should you be eating?

I'm 5 weeks post-op and have a very vague diet to go by. I've been reading where people only 3 weeks post-op are eating toast, salmon, refried beans, etc. I was under the impression you don't get stuff like that until after 2 months. Anyone that could tell me what's good to eat (or drink) at this point - I'd sure appreciate it! I had a gastric bypass done July 22nd. Thanks!    — VickyTaylor (posted on August 25, 1999)

August 25, 1999
I am 6 weeks postop and am able to eat most anything, as long as I chew thoroughly and eat slowly. I've had steak, fish, chicken, most vegetables, and many fruits. I eat LOTS of protein daily and I drink at least 60 oz. of water daily. I drink part of a diet Pepsi daily--it just tastes goood! Funny, though, my tastes really have changed. I eat between 3 to 4 oz per meal. Hope this helps.
   — charlene M.

August 25, 1999
Every Dr. has there own spin on a post-op diet. The best thing to do is to follow your Dr.'s diet. Just because other's are eating this stuff doesn't mean they should be. They also could be doing irrepairable damage to their new tummy's.
   — Donna D.

August 25, 1999
According to my documents, at six weeks post-op a sample day would consist of the following: Breakfast: 1 egg or egg substitute scrambled Beverage: Protein drink (1/2 cup) Lunch: 3 saltines and 1 ounce of low fat cheese Beverage: Protein drink (1/2 cup) Dinner: 1/4 cup dried peas or beans w/ 3 lowfat crackers Beverage: another protein drink other examples for breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal 1/3 cup grits with 1/2 oz lowfat cheese 1 slice diet bread
   — Leslie C.

August 25, 1999
According to my documents, at six weeks post-op a sample day would consist of the following: Breakfast: 1 egg or egg substitute scrambled Beverage: Protein drink (1/2 cup) Lunch: 3 saltines and 1 ounce of low fat cheese Beverage: Protein drink (1/2 cup) Dinner: 1/4 cup dried peas or beans w/ 3 lowfat crackers Beverage: another protein drink Other examples for breakfast: 1/2 cup oatmeal; 1/3 cup grits with 1/2 oz lowfat cheese; 1 slice diet bread (TOASTED)with 1 T peanut butter The kicker with the bread is that it must be TOASTED very crisp!! Not fresh!!! or You will throw up! Some lunch/dinner examples are: 1/2 potato (no skins) with low fat cheese; 1/4 cup tuna (canned and in water) this may be mixed with low fat or nonfat mayo; 1/2 to 1 cup strained cream of chicken soup made with skim milk; 3 lowfat crackers with 1 T peanut butter; 1 oz steamed shrimp with 3-4 crackers My suggestion would be SOUP SOUP & more SOUP!! Hope this helps! Leslie
   — Leslie C.

August 25, 1999
Per Dr. Cooper: WEEK 1-3: Cream of Rice, Cream of wheat, Malt-o-meal Non-fat yogurt (no pieces of fruit or nut). Egg custard. Strained cream soups, all juices including orange, tomato (limit 8 oz a day) Non-fat milk, baby food, pureed food. Mashed potatoes (no gravy or butter) Ripe mashed banana, eggs softboiled or soft scrambled. WEEK 4: Cottage cheese, pureed soups without meat, sliced cheese, white fish, grilled or baked. Soft canned fruits and vegetables (no whole kernel corn), baked potatoes, no skin. WEEK 5: CHEW WELL! Rice and macaroni noodles, craclers, corn or rice cereals, ready to eat. Crisp toast, fresh fruit, vegetables, baked or grilled chicken. Ground meat (watch out for hamburger) Hope this helps. Remember we are all different and must try things out for ourselves :o)
   — Fran W.

August 25, 1999
You should eat what you are comfortable eating. At that point, I think I was eating yogurt, chicken, noodles, soups. I didn't eat hard-to-digest items, such as grains and spicy foods, for about 2-3 months. What are you craving? If it is moderately healthy, eat it! I craved pickles for the longest time. Really odd! But I ate them, with my protein, until I lost the urge. Now I eat a more well-rounded diet, with lots of protein. And I eat what I want. Enjoy!
   — Elizabeth W.

August 26, 1999
Hi Victoria, I also had gastric bypass and I was told a pureed diet for ten weeks. At about 5 weeks I was eating cottage cheese and saltines, creamed soups ( with skim milk) I made sure that everything I did eat was chewed up really good. I figured if my surgeon told me not to eat anything but pureed food , it was for a reason. I have heard of people eating regular diet soon after surgery but they were taking a chance on getting a blockage or causing more swelling inside. The time passes quickly , and before you know it, you will be eating everything again.
   — Ellen M.

August 26, 1999
As 4 weeks turns into 6 weeks I have the patients slowly begin eating regular food. However they will always have some rules : Eat the protein first, avoid a lot of liquid with the meals, no high calorie drinks or ice cream/sherbet, and chew everything very well and eat it slowly.
   — Bruce B.