Post-op Diets and Questions

I am 8 days out from surgery. I have lost 10.4 lbs - YEAH! I am having protein shakes, thinned mashed potatoes, pureed ground turkey, pureed beans, pureed tuna fish, etc. I seem to tolerate it just fine. I take really small bites, chew like crazy and only consume about 2 oz. per meal. I get full. I am able to drink most all my fluids. Am I going to fast?

Hi everyone, I was sleeved last Friday, Aug 26th, and I progressed from clear liquids to full liquids when I came home from the hospital on Monday. I've been doing pretty good with the protein shakes, but I'm getting burnt out on the soup. I only like the cream of chicken and mushroom, and I am looking for ideas for other ok things to eat. Any suggestions? I still have 10 more days of liquids before I move on to mushy stuff so I need some help!! Thanks! Sarah

I'm doing Pre Op - Wonder what a good yogurt is to use- It says on my list that I can add the Protein powder to silk, 1% mik, SF Yogurt or SF pudding- I was looking around at the grocer and didn't notice a SF yogurt but saw many fat free and non fat ones- Any suggestions?

I am in a quandary and would like some advice from the veterans. I know from reading the posts that many of you count carbs to speed up weight loss. I have done the whole low carb thing before pre-sleeve and had a significant weight loss but when I started eating carbs again I gained it all back and then some. That has made me leery of focusing on low carb post surgery. I want to be able to eat a balanced diet in small quantities so that I can maintain this for the rest of my life. My weight loss has been pretty good but has slowed down recently to a lb every two or three or four days. I am wondering if I am jeopardizing the long term success of the sleeve by not lo…

I was sleeved on 8/16 which is only a little over two weeks out. I stuck with only liquids until the the 25th when I tried mashed potatoes. They went down okay but I only ate about half of a single serving size. I am having no problems with jello or applesauce and was even able to tolerate a few bites of well chewed macaroni and cheese. Lastnight I was also able to handle a few bites of well chewed spaghetti. I've tried the pureed soup and just cannot do it. My nutrition plan says that I would do week 1-2 full liquid and weeks 3-4 pureed. Is it bad for me to skip pureed and move into well-chewed soft foods if my stomache can tolerate it? Any advise is greatly appreciated!…

I went to see the nutritionist yesterday for my 6 month followup. One of the topics I talked to her about was what level of carbs I should aim for each day (to get her opinion). She said I didn't need to count carbs, only to track the sugar grams. Does anyone do this? If so, how many grams of sugar do target for each day?

Everyone's doctors' guidelines seem to be different and I was wondering how many weeks post-op some of you were told before you could start soft/mushy food stage? I was told 1 week clear liquid, 2 weeks of full liquids, and 2 weeks of soft foods, then starting 6th week I could slowly reintroduce regular food. Wondering what guidelines others were given and how they tolerated them?

Today is my fifth day since surgery and I'm confused about the water/protein requirements. Does the Water in my Protein shakes count towards my 64oz water goal? Do I have to wait 30 minutes after the Protein Shakes to drink water since they are both liquids? Does anyone know of a truly unflavored Protein powder I can mix with broths and Soups so I can get as much as possible? Do I have to wait 30 minutes before and after broth to drink water? I'd call and ask my dr. but it's Sunday so they are not open. Tks Lyn

Hi, Tomorrow I progress to full liquids. It will be day 10 post-op. Here is my question- when eating creamy Soups how much do you eat? My doctor says to only eat 2 ounces every 15 minutes. So do I drink a bowl of Soup all day every 15 minutes? Or is 2 ounces of soup considered a meal and you stop. One of the things he warned against was using the sensation of fullness as a gauge. To stop before you are full. I am sooo confused. Cathi

I just had my first appointment with my primary care physician today. I gave him what paperwork I had about requirements for the surgery, including the 6 month diet. All he said was to eat 3 meals a day, stay under 1600 calories, and document everything I eat to bring back to my next appointment. Is this going to be detailed enough to make some insurance approval person happy? I was totally expecting to hear him suggest an actual plan like Atkins, South Beach, etc.. Thanks for helping a newby out!

I had a Protein drink this morning and had to take a nap within 2 hours... Had another Protein Drink about an hour ago, and I could take another nap. What the heck? Has anyone else noticed this in the transition from clears to Protein drinks? (I'm 10 day's out). Thanks for your input, Susan

I don't know how many of you have tried the Amylu's chicken Burgers...but they are DELISH. I bought them at costco in the butcher dept... I picked up the Sweet Carmelized onion version and I really love it! They are pre-cooked and just need to be heated. 150 cals. I think they are WAY better than the Chili Lime patty's from Trader Joe's...and I really enjoy those! The other think that I have found to give me some light carb crispiniess...is a brand called Kavli. They make wafer thin flatbreads and 3 = 50 cals and 10 carbs. I eat the garlic flavor with some laughing cow. YUM Totally satisfies that cracker desire. Found them at Fred Meyer's in the cracker section…

I'm on my "unofficial" pre-op diet and right now am doing 3 low carb meals and 2 protein shakes. Next week I will do 2 meals/3 shakes until I head into my "official" two week pre-op diet of 1 meal/4 shakes. Anyway, I was at Trader Joes yesterday and discovered they have such great options for all phases of the pre..but especially post op diet. For example, the have tasty broths..not only chicken and beef...but turkey broth and mushroom broth.They have tons of cream soups that don't even need to be strained for the full liquid phase (coconut thai, creamy portabello..any many more!) They also have GREAT S/F popsicles with unique flavors like pineapple, mango, pommegranite a…

I have been on full liquids for about 5 days now....and I am getting sick of yogurt, blended cottage cheese, and pureed soup!! I need some suggestions on something else I can eat....so far I have been very lucky and my sleeve tolerates everything I have tried to eat.

I am starting week 7. I have been mostly eating 60 to 70 g of protein per day , and maybe 2-3 servings of carbs a day in the form of whole grains and fruit. I'm in a stall right now but otherwise I'm doing fine. I have not been eating much vegetables. Well today I thought that should change so I made a tofu stir fry with onion, bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms for dinner. I probably ate close to 3/4 a cup. Three hours later I'm starving so I had another serving, at least 1/2 cup. It is about a half hour later and I'm still hungry!!! Is this my imagination? Is there anyone out there who eats a lot of veggies and do they satisfy your hunger? I'm sure with bot…

Has anyone tried baby food? Pros/cons? Now that I'm getting close to my surgery date, I'm very curious. 6 weeks away

I posted this in another forum on VST but I realized it may be more fitting here. I was looking around the web and saw this guide on VSG dietary guidelines. If anyone wishes they can click the attachment and save it, print it or just read it. I made a copy and am thinking of taking a few to my next support group in case anyone wants one. I think it's only 14 pages (well the 1st page is the title page). I am reading through it right now. Enjoy. I credit Liz Goldenberg MPH, RD and Jaimie Sherry MS, RD, CDN of www.cornellwls.com for the booklet. dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf

Well, my sleeve gastrectomy is in 3 days, and so far my hunger fluctuates--at times, I'm managing the hunger and other times, I feel like I'm having quasi-regrets about the surgery as I think about food. I just found this site today, and I must say, this is a great resource. However, my problem is after reading all of these posts about people having their "food funerals", I feel like an idiot for not having mine! It seems like for the past 3 days, my thoughts have been drifting from every little food that I want to eat but can't have or will not have until perhaps 6 months later! Yet, I think about the long-term outcome of this--being thinner, healthier, and more athleti…

I'm trying to figure out the post op diet from Dr. Kelly. I was sent some paperwork before surgery and then given another one before I left the hospital after surgery. Well, the 2 things don't match!! If other patients of his could please tell me what progression they had and on what days post op I'd appreciate the help.

ok i have this question...I am getting married in november (11-11-11) YEAH!!! and getting sleved on August 2nd.(YEAH AGAIN!!!) Any chance i'll be able to take the traditional bite of my wedding cake? even a nibble? or is that realistically out of the question?

I was having really bad headaches on day 1 and day 2. I just wanted to say that they are finally subsiding!!! Woohooo! I have noticed that while I do get hungry, the protein shakes really do seem to help that. I have survived 2 days and almost 3 and I am getting a sense that I really can do this thing!!!!

Why does everything have to be sugar free? Is this something we have to live by or is it something during the stages of food?

Ok to all who have started and all who will start it soon...what was your Final meal? As I sit here with the grill warming up for some boneless ribs and have a martini on the patio table.....i wonder who had what types of food the last time before their pre op diet started? Were you all good people and ate something nutritious or did you go nuts and eat everything you thought you'd miss forever? Gayle

Ok, I need some feedback. I have been having stomach cramping and diarrhea for a week straight. I have been eating 1/2 cup of creamy chicken soup some evenings but it still happens when Im not eating any dairy. It is not much inside to come out if you know what i mean, but the intestinal cramping and feeling like I have to have a bowel movement is painful and uncomfortable. I went to get seen and I was given imodium to take to stop the episodes. I didnt take it the fist day, but i ended up taking two pills because i am at work and cant keep going to the bathroom! It helped slow down the bowels but I was still having intestinal cramps and some stomach aches. I even tried t…

Can someone point me to example menus or other suggestions how to stay under 40 G of carbs per day? thanks!

Campbells chicken broth . didnt even know they sold this but so goood I Cento (for you italians its the same brand that makes the sauce) so goood i just discovered it at stop and shop Collagen Herbox (powder form) Swansons Walbaums brand Miso soup in brown box . I got from trader joes and trained onions and tofu for broth stage "Clear soup" from japanese restaurant (strained the onions) but there is very few in it . It is very clear and yummy Hmmm and i did not care for trader joes or cvs brand Hope this helps I have been on broth for 5 weeks now including pre op so i thought I would share this with everyone. I have tried A LOt of them!!!

Hello, This is my first time posting on this forum. I went through my insurance company's 3 month program and am awaiting surgical approval. My problem in the meantime is ME. I have not gotten myself mentally prepared for this surgery and have been eatiing crazily (if that's a real word). I've found myself buying and eating a lot of foods "because after the surgery I'll never be able to have this again." Earlier this week my personal physican shocked my by telling me I have diabetes but I've still bought sweets and eaten them (he wasn't too concerned saying after I lose some of this weight the diabetes SHOULD be gone). I have only told a couple of people about th…

Hey friends! Do you have a list of forbidden foods and drinks? I had surgery in Turkey so wondering what other doctors suggest? thanks for sharing..

Hello all my doctor suggested BA for my pre-op diet it comes all together drinks and bars that last 2 weeks for 180.00- could I just buy protien drinks from a local store and use other meals trying to stay on a low budget and try other protien drinks to get some idea on ones I like. Any ideas and suggestions will be greatly appericated! Thanks

In true Seattle style, I decided that since I've been jonesing for coffee like some 70's kid after a pair of Sticky Fingers (if that don't make sense to you, don't worry), I decide to mix 1/2 scoop vanilla with 1/2 scoop chocolate Protein and 1 tspn of instant coffee (starbucks Coluuuuuuuuummmmbiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan) for my first Protein shake post-op. I think I could freaking RUN to town today!! The caffein has hit my purified body like a match to kindling. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Hi Guys!!! Let me just say that even though I have only been on this site a few times, it's nice to know i have somewhere to go and be completely understood! I have been lurking around here a few times (I'm not even sure if this is the correct place to post this comment) This is my 1st post (although, I did leave a comment for someone...I think) Anyway, I just got my surgery date which is August 10th. Reading about all of the PAIN is freaking me out. I guess you never know to what extent it will be bc everyone is different. I feel REALLY over-whelmed and scared. I haven't had my PAT yet so I guess I will feel better after that. Even though I have been reading & read…

Hi, I'm 5 days post op and my surgeon said I could have anything that would fit thru a straw. He said if I blended up steak and it can fit through a straw to go for it ( not using straws tho!) So my mom made me some chicken soup with some veggies, blended it up for me and is a thick but liquidy consistency. Is that ok? Can u give me sum ideas? Is jello ok? How about yogurt? Thanks for ur help!

I'm on my pre-op diet, today is my first day. My surgery is on the 22nd, so I have 12 more days of this. I don't remember what the clinic said I could have in addition to my Protein shakes/bars, and I'm sooo hungry. I've eaten around every 3 hours a shake, then a Protein Bar, then a shake, protein bar, and I'm about to have my last shake for the night - so 5 times today. However, around lunch time (the 2nd shake), I was feeling very nauseous and weak and I got a small piece of bread and put some liverwurst on it and ate it with my Protein Shake. It was basically 1 piece of a small square bun, that I cut in half and I only had 1 half. I had made both halves, but kept m…

Hello I am 5 days post op and have had difficulty with consuming what I need 2 protein wise..the 3 ounces at a time is hard right now..I'm doing about 2 ounces..I have all the vitamins,my own meds and meds they gave me to take wich makes me nauseous and fills me up..trying to consume all water is challenging at best and now I am going back to strictly protein shakes. I have had cravings ...not hungry but wanted cake my daughter was eating..even took bite of a cookie she has and now hope I didn't mess anything up..I have this horrible taste in my moth from time to time and still have pain and am sleeping on couch up right...I know this is a lot,but I am hoping someone has …

Hello, i had my sleeve done five days ago and was doing very well with everything, however I just realized that a Protein drink I had this morning had some milk in it. I'm not supposed to have milk for two weeks after surgery, and when I found out I had it by mistake (I was tired and grabbed the wrong protein shake) I got extremely scared. Is it dangerous/should I call my PA about it? I don't feel any discomfort but I'm really worried that it could have caused damage. Thank you!

I haven't seen a whole lot on this topic so I thought I'd chime in... I was lactose intolerant before the surgery and I was told that wouldn't change after the surgery. The liquid stage was fine, my protein powder was lactose free and if I wanted milk, Lactaid to the rescue. But, during the Mushy stage I made some mistakes. I thought since I was eating such extremely small quantities of dairy, I would be ok. The biggest food suggestions from my NUT at this stage were cottage cheese and yogurt. Big Mistake...Big Gas...Big Diarrhea...Big TMI, sorry! It was tough to get variety and PROTEIN in without cheese and yogurt. I SOOO DID NOT want to go back to drinking so ma…

So I went to my 2 month follow up today and the doctor is concerned about the things I have been eating for Breakfast, he wants me to get more Protein. I did explain to him that my stomach is a bit more temperamental in the morning. I have been eating cream of wheat or yogurt and he thinks I should be eating more protein rich foods. Half of an english muffin with Peanut Butter on it works for my stomach well but I can't eat that every day and I doubt my doctor wants me eating half of an english muffin. I cannot eat eggs, my stomach doesn't like them or breakfast sausage at this point. Bacon works but again I can't eat that every day. I do not like greek yogurt or …

I keep reading how many of you struggled very much through the pre op diet and felt very hungry and miserable from carb withdrawals. I am doing a strict low carb diet now while awaiting my surgery date and have lost 42lbs already. I am wondering...er....hoping that it will make doing the mostly liquid pre op diet easier. Any feedback or comments are appreciated. What were your experiences?

Hi, I'm 5 days post op. Doc has me on Clear liquids for 2 weeks then full liquids for 2 weeks. BUT he said yesterday that I can have my Protein drinks with milk. I'm fine with Water because I don't like milk but here's my question. If I can have milk in my Protein shakes now, why can't I have creamy Soups? A creamy broth Soup would be sooooo satisfying to me right now.... Any ideas? Thanks!

I've been on clear liquids since 2 days before surgery and a 10 day shake diet prior to that. Technically I am supposed to be on clear liquids until tomorrow. After my post op appt tomorrow I will be able to move into Semi solid food according to my Dr. such as eggs and refried beans. So even though I am not technically supposed to do this I broke down and bought some creamed soup. I thought I was going to go insane!! I literally feared my children's lives if they stayed around me and I couldn't have something of some substance. I know I got like 80% of my stomach removed but the other 20% is HUNGRY. I suppose that is normal. Part of me says "See?? They took out mo…

Has anyone tried the hcg diet pre op? I thought it was pretty good pre op because you have to get used to eating small portions

So, my Doc said get my protein naturally and only eat 3 four oz. meals a day. HOW do I get in all the protein I need???? Also, 3 4oz. meals isn't making me full. I do work out alot so that could be part of it but does anyone eat more often or larger amount? Also, what is the calorie count I should be going for? Doc said 200-400 but that's not much, especially with an active lifestyle. ADVICE PLEASE!!!

Well, this will be day 5 of clear liquids and I am getting sick of them. Really having a hard time getting in all the protein and I know I am not gettting enough calories. Tomorrow I will get to start full liquids. I am getting excited to ,have something new to eat, hallulujah!! But all in all I have done much better than I expected to do. Just waiting for the weight to fall off.

So after two and a half months (including the pre-op diet), I am back on regular foods. Yahoo! Today for lunch I made our family steak fajitas. For the others I had regular flour tortillas and regular tortilla chips. For me . . . I didn't use a tortilla on my fajita, but I did find some whole wheat low-carb tortillas that had 5 grams of carbs per tortilla. I cut mine up into wedges and sprayed a baking sheet with Pam. I then put the wedges on the pan, salted them and put them in the oven at 350. I flipped them about halfway through, but didn't add any more Pam or salt. They ended up with a bit of a crunch (more like a cracker than a chip). I ate three of them dipped int…

My sister can not have the surgery because her insurance does not pay for it but she would like to go on the liquid diet with me. How long can someone go on the diet without becoming sick? What kind of things do you eat on the liquid diet? Has anyone every done this diet, besides just before having surgery? Does anyone have a substitute solution for a protein shake? I hate the gritty taste.

I am hoping that some experienced sleevers will take a few minutes and give me a sample menu of what you eat in a day. I am starting regular foods tomorrow and I am not sure what to eat. I am clear to eat anything now but I'm just not sure how to start. I would love to see what you eat/ate and how much and how often. This is a sample day of what I eat right now on soft foods: I have a hard time getting much of anything in me at a time. I have 2 Protein drinks a day which is a total of 80 grams of protein. Breakfast: Protein Drink, mixed in 15 oz Water, takes about 20 minutes to drink. I have a hard time eating anything in the morning and the protein drink seems to b…

I called the Dr.'s office today to check on some lab results. I started asking about a pre-op diet. They said Dr. Terracina was not particular about that. He would do the surgery either way. However, they did notice that those who chose to do it did better after surgery. Told me I could drink protien shakes for Breakfast and lunch and just eat dinner. Looks like I am not going to get much help on this. Can someone post daily limits on Protein, carbs and fat for a pre-op diet? Thanks for any help thrown my way! Khy

I had my sleeve done Monday morning and it is now Thursday morning. I have yet to drink the required amount of protein. I am supposed to have 3 of theses fruit punch protein bullets a day for a week. My new stomach is not tolerating cold drinks very well. Have any of you tried warming up G2? I find that protein tastes better when diluted with G2. Thanks everyone, Chelsea

I had my surgery on Tuesday. Had a couple of complications but nothing I could not get thru. Yesterday was the 5th day post op and the first day I have felt like tracking what I have had to eat. Here are my totals per FitDay Free calculator for yesterday: Calories- 501 Fat- 6.7 Carbs-39 Protein 70.1 All my Vitamins taken and my Water requirements met plus some! I am on full liquids. For those of you who are further along do you think these numbers are okay? Is this enough calories because I could eat more. I think I am right on target but want to see if it is similar to how you guys did on full liquids.

Can anyone give me their suggestions for what they drank during "full liquids" stage according to Dr. Aceves post-op diet? I am planning on using milk instead of Water for my Protein Shakes, adding s/f, f/f pudding, and creamy Soups to what was already ok for clears. Would it include blenderized soups? How about thin yogurt? What else did you add? Every surgeon is so different! Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on anything else I can have. Thanks in advance!