Post-op diet: how long did you do liquids?

brittu · 06-26-2006, 03:12 PM

Hi all,

I'm hoping to be approved for band surgery later this summer. Looking over my doctor info I see that he requires 6 weeks of liquid (various stages) after surgery. This seems like a really long time to me and I was just wondering if bandsters would want to share how long they were on a restricted diet after surgery...

Thanks!
Britt

MarcyD · 06-26-2006, 03:23 PM

My surgeon does *blenderized* foods the very next day after surgery and for 2 to three weeks afterward. Then 2 weeks of soft foods (mushies) and at 4 weeks on to solid foods. I followed this and did well.
I think he is more liberal than most, though.

Yoda · 06-26-2006, 05:32 PM

Hiya Brittu....

Yup, many of the docs vary in their post-op diet regime. And, no doubt, you will receive several replies to your query. But bottom line is that it doesn't really matter what "others" did....you should really listen to YOUR doc and follow his plan of attack. There are reasons for it. Besides...if you find it is more strict (as was mine)...you will only be better off in the long run!

**Elisabethsew** · 06-26-2006, 06:35 PM

I did two weeks of full fluids post-op (pudding, cream soups, yogurt, shakes, etc.) and 2 weeks of soft foods and then moved to solids on week 5.

Loving-It · 06-26-2006, 07:43 PM

I did two weeks of anything I could suck up a straw. That was the criteria. Mostly shakes and soups. Then now I am on phase 2, mushies, anything you can eat without teeth.

stella · 06-27-2006, 05:48 PM

I did one week of clear liquids, added yogurt on day 8 and protein drinks on day 10 - day 22. Solid foods after day 22.
I think what Yoda says is true, you have to follow your dr.s orders, it's for a reason. Not that you'll like it. I keep looking at what the others are eating and thinking why cant I :)

I've lost 17 pounds this first week and am very happy about that!

bug · 06-27-2006, 06:49 PM

That's nothing! My surgeon's post-op diet is clear liquids day 1 then full liquids (anything that can go through a straw) till week 4, then pureed foods (don't ask me how this is different from full liquids) till week 8, then mushies till week 11. Almost 3 months before I'm able to eat regular food! :faint: I'd better lose a lot of weight in those 11 weeks. ;)

juliegeraci · 06-28-2006, 08:23 PM

Definitely follow what your doctor says. Mine only said 2 weeks of liquids then mushies then solids. Good luck.

nolagirl · 06-29-2006, 08:49 AM

Days 1-3 clear liquids
Days 4-7 full liquids
Day 8 Start incorporating solids (soft foods at first)

avilla · 06-29-2006, 11:32 AM

Mine had me on clear liquids for 3 days following surgery...Then 5 weeks of the mushies (protien drinks, yogart, apple sauce, cottage cheese ect...) Then a normal diet of 1000-1200 calories a day for eternity...But I totally agree with the others about doing what your dr says...Every surgeon has a different way of dealing with their patients...All comes down to trusting the one you got!

Sunta · 06-29-2006, 12:14 PM

My surgeon prescribed four weeks of full liquids (anything that can go through a straw, minus any lumps) and then two weeks of mushies, then soft solids (deli meats, fish, soft cooked noodles, cheese) for two weeks and then regular foods. I did not make it, though, and progressed to mushies at the beginning of week four for two weeks and then right to solids. He told me that was fine and that his rules were more "the ideal" but that he didn't expect everyone to do liquids for the full four weeks and that everyone progresses at their own pace.

Woodys · 06-29-2006, 12:52 PM

I did one week clear fluids, 2 weeks full fluids, 2 weeks pureed...then onto solids. I'm on my first week or pureed. I didn't find it too bad, got tired of soup but for those who have more of an imagination, I'm sure they did better.

It is important that you follow what your Dr. instructs.....do not judge what you should be doing by what everyone else says....there is a reason for what you Dr. instructs and its best if you follow it.

Carol

wanttobethin1 · 07-02-2006, 03:58 PM

Elisabeth :)

Banded on 3/30/06
Dr. Geiss, NY
5/25/06 First Fill, 321 pounds (1.5 cc in a 4 cc Inamed Band)
6/21/06 Second Fill, 316 pounds (3 cc's for a total of 4.5 cc's)

Elizabeth Help me to understand this fill process. I have the same band and was told that you can only have 4cc put in a 4cc band. I am so confused

**Elisabethsew** · 07-02-2006, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanttobethin1

Elisabeth :)

Banded on 3/30/06
Dr. Geiss, NY
5/25/06 First Fill, 321 pounds (1.5 cc in a 4 cc Inamed Band)
6/21/06 Second Fill, 316 pounds (3 cc's for a total of 4.5 cc's)

Elizabeth Help me to understand this fill process. I have the same band and was told that you can only have 4cc put in a 4cc band. I am so confused

I was told that the 4 cc band is a company measurement that has nothing to do with fill amounts but rather air in the system. I have the Inamed Vanguard band that I believe holds 11 cc's of fill. When I went for my first fill, the surgeon inserted a large 10 cc syringe into the port with a stop-cock attached. He pulled back on the syringe until he got all the air out and then turned the stop-cock so more air could not get in. Next, he filled the syringe with 1.5 cc's of saline, attached it to the stop-cock, opened it, and instilled the saline.

The second fill was a lot less procedure. He simply filled a 3 cc syringe with saline and injected it into the port. Both times I was given a local anesthetic. I hope that helps clear up some of the confusion.

Stitchy · 07-02-2006, 06:47 PM

2 days clear liquids
2 weeks liquids (it should be able to go thru a straw)
2 weeks soft mushy foods
Gradually start addding solids