You're going to want broth and all of the store bought ones are nasty. Since your surgery is still a week or so away make some now. Put a chicken (or beef if you prefer it) and some veggies and seasonings in the crock pot and cook the heck out of it. When its done, strain it and throw away the hunks. Freeze the broth in small containers so all you have to do is nuke it when you want it. I froze it in ice cube trays and then cracked them into a freezer bag so I could have as much or as little as I wanted. I also mixed my Protein powder with a pkg of Carnation Instant Breakfast. It has lots of Vitamins and makes the shakes taste a whole much better. I don't think I would have made it through the first week or so without Emetrol. It's cherry flavored anti nausea liquid. Works great. After a few days of liquid diet you will find that you have a horrible taste in your mouth and all the tooth brushing and mouthwash in the world won't touch it. Get something lemon flavored...lemon drops or lemonade. Minute Maid Light lemonade is really good and only has 5 or 10 calories per serving. They have it half gallons in the dairy or in 12 pks in the pop aisle. (It's non-carbonated.) Take your favorite pillow with you to the hospital. The ones they have are like cardboard...at least they were at my hospital.
Here are the lists that my nutritionist gave to me for the different stages of eating after having surgery. The moderator may want to make this thread a sticky for those who don't get defined lists, as I've noticed a lot of questions about this topic in the past.
*STAGE 1 - liquids
START: When you return home from your surgery
DURATION: For 2 weeks post surgery, or until your next dietitian appointment.
DIET: Clear and full liquids
GOAL: Aim for at least 64 ounces of Fluid for the day by continuous sipping.
LIQUIDS RECOMMENDED:
Water
100% fruit juice (No sugar added)
Bouillon
Strained Soups or broths
Skim or 1% milk
Soy milk
Milk shakes - thinned
Gatorade or equivalent sports drink
Yogurt smoothie drinks - not including homemade
Crystal Light
sugar free beverages
Herbal or decaffeinated tea or coffee
Popsicles (Pedialyte)
LIQUIDS TO AVOID:
Citrus juices (orange, grapefruit, pineapple)
Acidic liquids (tomato juice, Tomato Soup, buttermilk)
Caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea)
Carbonated beverages (any soda pop, seltzer, or tonic water)
Homemade fruit or yogurt smoothies
Anything that seems liquid but is not (Jello, yogurt, pudding, ice cream) *Do pour test*
*STAGE 2 - MUSHIES
START: 2 weeks post surgery
DURATION: Up to 2 weeks post liquid stage
DIET: Soft food
GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.
FOODS RECOMMENDED:
Milk (skim or 1% only)
Cottage cheese
eggs (poached, scrambled or soft boiled)
Blended cream soups
Yogurt
Low Fat Cheese - unmelted
Peanut Butter
Tofu (silken only)
Pudding
Applesauce or other fruit sauces
Canned fruits
Mashed potatoes
Cream of Wheat or oatmeal (diluted with milk)
*STAGE 3 - SEMI SOLIDS
START: 4 weeks post surgery
DURATION: 2 weeks post mushies stage
DIET: Semi-solid food
GOAL: Aim for a meal capacity of about 1 cup (8 ounces) for 3 meals per day. Aim for fluid intake of 48-64 ounces per day.
FOOD RECOMMENDED:
Deli cuts of meat
Canned flake meats such as tuna or chicken
Ground meats like ground beef or ground turkey
Beans
Tofu
Baked fish or crab meat
Pasta, rice, and corn
Fresh fruit - eliminate skins
Cooked vegetables - avoid celery, asparagus or broccoli stalks
Low Fat melted cheese
FOODS TO AVOID FOR MUSHIES & SEMI SOLID STAGES:
Caloric beverages - sweetened tea, soda, lemonade, juices
Ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, & smoothies
Regular Jello
Dry solids like breads, cereals, crackers, high Fiber foods
*STAGE 4 - SOLIDS
RECOMMENDED FOODS & SERVING SIZES:
Protein GROUP:
1 ounce lean meat, poultry or fish
1/4 cup yogurt
1/4 cup pudding
1/4 cup cottage cheese
1 egg, 2 egg whites
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 tbsp. peanut butter
1 ounce tofu
1 ounce cheese
1/4 cup canned flake meat
1 slice deli meat
2 tbsp. grated cheese
1/4 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup beans
1/4 cup hommus
GRAIN GROUP:
1/2 slice toast
1/4 bagel or english muffin
1/2 cup Cereal (cooked or dry)
1/2 cup broth-type Soup
1 oblong graham cracker
1/4 cup rice, pasta, or potato
1/2 small baked potato
1/4 cup corn
4 crackers
FRUIT GROUP:
1/4 cup canned fruit (in its own juices)
1/4 cup grapes
1/2 piece fresh fruit
1 tsp. jelly or jam
1/4 cup dry fruit
VEGETABLE GROUP:
1/2 cup cooked vegetables
1 cup raw vegetables
1/2 cup Tomato juice
1/4 cup tomato sauce or salsa
OTHERS GROUP:
1 tsp. oil, butter, or margarine
1 tsp. Mayonnaise
1 tbsp. Miracle Whip
1 tbsp. sour cream or cream cheese
1 tbsp. Salad Dressing
2 tbsp. guacamole
4-6 almonds, cashews, or pecans
1 ounce cheese
2 tsp. peanut butter
1 tbsp. tahini
1/4 cup Cool-Whip
1 tsp. sugar, honey, or Syrup
COMBINATION FOODS:
1 or 1 1/2 cup per meal
1/2 cup per snack
CORE PLAN:
BREAKFAST:
1-2 Proteins
1 fruit
2 grains
1 other
LUNCH:
2-3 proteins
1 vegetable
2 grains
1 other
SNACK:
1 fruit
1 protein
DINNER:
2-3 proteins
1-2 vegetables
2 grains
1 other
SNACK:
1 vegetable
1 grain
I hope that this helps those who are researching getting the band, with knowing what your eating habbits will be like after surgery. I also hope that this will help those who are never given a clear eating plan after surgery too.
Please know that this is just the plan that was given to me, and I do not expect all bandsters to follow this plan. It is simply a guidline for those who need one/are not given one.
Please remember to follow exactly what your surgeon/nutritionist says, even if it is different than this list.