Hi all! Never posted anything before in my life but for the first time I feel like I need to. Been reading the threads for a few days and feel like a peeping tom without saying howdy. Everything I've read has been so helpful and I want to thank you all for the info. Started my preop 3week diet and it's beginning to feel real, getting nervous but excited! I have a question, what will I be eating / drinking the first couple of weeks after? Need to shop.
Hello! Surgery scheduled for 1/29/14
- Thread starter mlampa
- Start date
Cheyenne
Active Member
WELCOME to the forum!!!!! Jan 29th will be here in a blink of an eye.. It is exciting, isn't it!
I suggest that you call your surgeon's office and find out what they will want you to eat. My surgeon has his patients on cramberry juice, boullion, and sugar free jello, every meal for a week, then added in applesauce and cottage cheese the next week as well as protein shakes. Soft foods were added in week by week til 7 weeks I was allowed to eat anything as long as it was in tiny amounts like 2 teaspoons at a time. Other doctors have different menus for their patients. Some doctors want patients to have protein shakes several times a day for months and months. My surgeon said not to have shakes after the 7 week time period. He wants his patients to get their protein from food. So find out what your surgeon wants and there will be people on this forum who will have similar experiences and can help you with the type of food your doctor wants you to have. Good Luck and keep us posted when you have surgery!!!
Cheyenne
the spa guy
Member
Congrats! Remember to stay positive.
James
James
dancinbr
Member
Lots of good advice here already.
Before you know it your surgery date will be here.
I remember walking into the surgery, strangely calm and relaxed. I was ready.
I have enjoyed many benefits already post op. I am off all of my BP meds and diabetic meds.
I still take my Lipitor 20mg and my bystolic 5mg. I not sure I need these anymore. But, I will wait until I have a visit with my cardiologist. There is a new trend out there for heart protection that says to keep you on a statin based on statistics. The bystolic is another item to be discussed. My resting pulse is now 58-62 generally.
As to diet, your surgeon should be giving you extensive guidelines and yes for each surgeon there are variations. It is all about giving your new stomach pouch the best chance of healing real well before you go back to food.
For me there was liquid diet 2 weeks preop. This consisted of glucerna and protein shakes.
Then clear liquids week one post op. This was Isopure grape flavored protein shake.
Week 2 was full liquids, so I added Premier Protein shake vanilla flavored. I had 1% milk too as well as apple juice and cranberry juice.
All along there is an emphasis for you to try your best to get your needed daily protein intake (60 grams for ladies and 80 for men) as well as drinking plenty of fluids. I did have an issue with dehydration. Many of us do. However, that is corrected now. In fact, don't be surprised when you go home post op that you have gained weight. The hospital really loads you up on fluids to help you fight dehydration.
Week 3 was puree foods. I liked to puree soups. I pureed eggs as well.
Week 4 became soft foods such as soft boiled egg or hard boiled egg. I did tuna salad, be careful with the mayonnaise. Your new pouch will not like fats or sugars.
You will notice that you will not be able to eat a lot anymore. My surgeon recommended no more than a 1/2 cup of food; mostly protein at any one meal. I found out that I had to stay with 1/3 cup. You get full quickly. This eventually became 3 ounces of protein at a meal and maybe a little of something else such as 1/2 slice whole wheat toast. Many of us cannot tolerate white bread.
You will have to learn to eat very slowly. The 3 ounce meal I have takes about a 1/2 hour or a bit more for me to consume. You take small bites and chew, chew, chew until it literally is ready to dissolve in your mouth. Then after a few bites take time out and BURP! Yes, burp. You are like a baby again. Eat a little then burp. You don't want to trap gases in your stomach. It will get uncomfortable.
You will eventually get into a routine and you will be very happy.
DON'T GO BACK TO OLD HABITS. YOU HAVE COMMITTED TO A NEW LIFESTYLE.
Oh that plate of ice cream that I used to love to have. Well, now it is an occasionally "bite" from my wife's plate/dessert.
Use a smaller plate too. You are not going to eat very much at a meal anymore.
Some surgeons say 3 meals, others say more. I find that I am having something every couple of hours anyway, be it a protein meal with applesauce on the side or simply a glass of skim or 1% milk or apple juice or cranberry juice.
Have a snuck in a treat now and then; yes. I personally do not believe in denying yourself ever. However, once again it is a bite not a bowl, or a bite of cake not a big slice, or one cookie now and then but not a fist full of chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk anymore.
I hope I have helped and given you some perspective.
Good luck,
Ralph
PS I am going to save this response for others too.
Before you know it your surgery date will be here.
I remember walking into the surgery, strangely calm and relaxed. I was ready.
I have enjoyed many benefits already post op. I am off all of my BP meds and diabetic meds.
I still take my Lipitor 20mg and my bystolic 5mg. I not sure I need these anymore. But, I will wait until I have a visit with my cardiologist. There is a new trend out there for heart protection that says to keep you on a statin based on statistics. The bystolic is another item to be discussed. My resting pulse is now 58-62 generally.
As to diet, your surgeon should be giving you extensive guidelines and yes for each surgeon there are variations. It is all about giving your new stomach pouch the best chance of healing real well before you go back to food.
For me there was liquid diet 2 weeks preop. This consisted of glucerna and protein shakes.
Then clear liquids week one post op. This was Isopure grape flavored protein shake.
Week 2 was full liquids, so I added Premier Protein shake vanilla flavored. I had 1% milk too as well as apple juice and cranberry juice.
All along there is an emphasis for you to try your best to get your needed daily protein intake (60 grams for ladies and 80 for men) as well as drinking plenty of fluids. I did have an issue with dehydration. Many of us do. However, that is corrected now. In fact, don't be surprised when you go home post op that you have gained weight. The hospital really loads you up on fluids to help you fight dehydration.
Week 3 was puree foods. I liked to puree soups. I pureed eggs as well.
Week 4 became soft foods such as soft boiled egg or hard boiled egg. I did tuna salad, be careful with the mayonnaise. Your new pouch will not like fats or sugars.
You will notice that you will not be able to eat a lot anymore. My surgeon recommended no more than a 1/2 cup of food; mostly protein at any one meal. I found out that I had to stay with 1/3 cup. You get full quickly. This eventually became 3 ounces of protein at a meal and maybe a little of something else such as 1/2 slice whole wheat toast. Many of us cannot tolerate white bread.
You will have to learn to eat very slowly. The 3 ounce meal I have takes about a 1/2 hour or a bit more for me to consume. You take small bites and chew, chew, chew until it literally is ready to dissolve in your mouth. Then after a few bites take time out and BURP! Yes, burp. You are like a baby again. Eat a little then burp. You don't want to trap gases in your stomach. It will get uncomfortable.
You will eventually get into a routine and you will be very happy.
DON'T GO BACK TO OLD HABITS. YOU HAVE COMMITTED TO A NEW LIFESTYLE.
Oh that plate of ice cream that I used to love to have. Well, now it is an occasionally "bite" from my wife's plate/dessert.
Use a smaller plate too. You are not going to eat very much at a meal anymore.
Some surgeons say 3 meals, others say more. I find that I am having something every couple of hours anyway, be it a protein meal with applesauce on the side or simply a glass of skim or 1% milk or apple juice or cranberry juice.
Have a snuck in a treat now and then; yes. I personally do not believe in denying yourself ever. However, once again it is a bite not a bowl, or a bite of cake not a big slice, or one cookie now and then but not a fist full of chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk anymore.
I hope I have helped and given you some perspective.
Good luck,
Ralph
PS I am going to save this response for others too.
GinaRN
Member
Ralph condensed it very nicely! It will be here before you know it. But, unlike Ralph, I remember being in the pre-op area wanting to bolt for the door! Six years later and a LOT of educational experiences it was the best decision I've ever made for myself. I work out daily, and still have to watch what I eat. The "honeymoon phase" is about 2 years post-op and it is easy to slip back into old habits. I remember sitting in my surgeon's office overhearing how an older post op was eating like "her old self". I thought to myself how could ANYONE do that to themselves again? It's possible as this is a tool in your toolbox to combat obesity and all of it's co-morbid friends that follow. Ok...enough of my soap box...
My suggestion would be to get your supplements and protein items ahead of time. Meal planning is important and to follow your surgeon's suggestions as everyone has different ideas regarding meals. And don't stress about not getting in all of your protein and water. At first, it's difficult, but becomes easier with time.
Hope that helps! We're here for you! Stay positive!
My suggestion would be to get your supplements and protein items ahead of time. Meal planning is important and to follow your surgeon's suggestions as everyone has different ideas regarding meals. And don't stress about not getting in all of your protein and water. At first, it's difficult, but becomes easier with time.
Hope that helps! We're here for you! Stay positive!
happyNmylife2
Member
Hi sweetie. We will be in surgery on the same day. Best of luck to you