Katy517

I think that my doctor simplifies post-op for his patients to keep them out of trouble with making bad choices and to increase early weight-loss. Mushies can be pretty fattening and without restriction people can consume quite a lot of the wrong kinds of food if they're so inclined. The six week liquid diet works pretty well to combat those risks.

Thanks for the support folks. I feel better and am starting to feel pretty normal again even - a better normal though.

Seems like there are quite a few such posts and most seem to point to the need for some type of adjustment, whether it be band, diet or activity level. What's your typical daily diet like? How about exercise?

Thanks Mary. I'm not sure why finishing four more days seems so onerous to me after coming this far, but it does. It also just doesn't seem worth it. This site has really enlightened me to realize that my surgeon's directives are far stricter than the norm.

The thread title says it all. I've reached my limit with liquids and have decided to end my doctor prescribed six week post-op diet four days early. If you add my pre-op clear liquid diet to the post-op it makes 43 days that I've been on either clear or full liquids with no caffeine, carbonated sodas, alcohol, etc. I have to assume that I'm fully healed internally now and that no harm will come from making this decision. My first fill is this Wednesday so I'll be back on clear liquids then for two+ days. Will do my best to make smart choices until I reach restriction and of course use this forum for support and guidance. It's beginning to go to my head at this point and is making me kind of batty. I think that if I never see another bowl of broth, cream soup, yogurt, jello or protein drink it will be too soon.

Sounds very troubling. I would consult another doctor and get a second opinion. Good luck getting it resolved and also with your weight loss.

I was instructed not to take anything by mouth (including water) after midnight the day of the fill.

Every surgeon's program is different. One of my prerequisites was an overnight sleep study. Also had to have a full GI series, ultrasound, psychiatric evaluation, blood work, chest xray, pregnancy test and six months of visits with the nutritionist. My PCP had to send a letter of recommendation along with ten years of weight history and weight loss attempts. I think that was the extent of it for requirements. My pre-op diet consisted of five days of Clear Liquids. Good luck!

I'm 5'6" and my goal weight is 133 pounds, which is a 21.5 BMI - right in the middle of the 'normal' range.

Definitely doesn't sound like it's your port. Is it causing you any pain or discomfort?

I had a five day clear liquid pre-op diet and it wasn't really too bad other than I celebrated (sort of) my birthday during it. I was working and kept myself really busy and that helped. I also was super excited about the banding so concentrated on that rather than the hunger. Good luck.

I've not heard of this before, but several of us on this board have reported that our port sticks out like a tumor of sorts. Mine sticks way out and causes pain and discomfort, which is more of a problem for me than the fact that it is visible. I'm just five weeks post-op and my doctor is convinced that it is just 'pushing' against something due to swelling, etc. and will resolve itself. I'm not convinced.

My surgeon's general guideline is no submerging in water of any kind until at least six weeks post-op and then you need to be examined by him to give final approval.

I am looking forward to being able to keep up with my three highly energetic golden retrievers, to being free of the aches and pains in my knees, to walk up to the 3rd floor at my office without being out of breath, to wearing my favorite old Levis again, to being light enough to ride the mules down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon for the first time and perhaps most of all to living into my old age and enjoying good health.

I'm not eating solids yet, but will start soon - two days after my first fill on 5/26. My plan is to eat mostly lean Proteins and complex carbohydrates. Both are required for good health in addition to good fats in moderation. Without adequate carbs our bodies will use up the Protein to fuel our energy levels rather than to build muscle, etc. as it is intended to do. I'm definitely of the belief that both are required. My nutritionist suggests eating protein first to ensure I get enough and I'll do that. I think the key is to choose wisely - good proteins like fish, eggs and maybe chicken along with complex carbs like vegetables, whole grains and fruits. I really aim to steer clear of processed foods and simple carbs.

Yes, six full weeks, but it's full liquid vs. clear. I can have cream soups, unsweetened apple sauce, sugar free pudding and yogurt along with all the typical clear liquid options. Not sure if I'm progressing faster or not, but am sure glad that it's almost over! I wouldn't worry too much about your surgeon following this protocol as I've yet to find anybody else on this board with the six week full liquids requirement. Good luck.

I saved the URL to my favorites. Makes it very easy.

My nutritionist said it is because caffeine is a diuretic and can cause dehydration. A lesser reason for not ingesting any coffee at all, even decaf, was that it contains a lot of acid and could irritate the stomach during healing.

I believe that each surgeon's diet plan varies with respect to caffeinated beverages. Mine called for me to give up caffeine at the beginning of my pre-op clear liquid diet and to remain caffeine-free until at least six weeks post-op

I just returned from my 4th post-op doctor's visit with my surgeon to address my port pain and discomfort. It's still pretty swollen even now almost 5 weeks post-op. The other reason for my visit was to (hopefully) be approved to swim and bathe again. My doctor examined the port area and determined that there was a suture under the skin causing at least part of my problem. He 'operated' on it right there with no real preparation at all and basically got under the skin, found the offending suture, removed it and caused a great deal of bleeding. He said that much of that blood looked to be old and the result of the suspected original post-op hematoma. It hurt a lot, but once he finished and bandaged me up the pain had subsided. He's hopeful that this will resolve the port problems that I've been experiencing. Unfortunately, opening it up today even just a little bit means no swimming until at least my next follow-up on 6/9.

It's whatever your surgeon prescribes as a post-op diet. The diets vary by surgeon, but I believe that all include liquids for at least some time-frame post-op. Many also include a mushy phase post-op. Mine is six weeks liquids only followed by my first fill.

Mine is still very sore, bruised and hard almost five weeks post-op. Mine is below my left breast at the base of my rib cage. It causes me daily discomfort and worry.

My surgeon's guideline is no food/drink by mouth after midnight the day of the fill - not even water. Then clear liquid diet for 48 hours after the fill. No mushy stage.

I'm down 34 pounds so far from my pre-surgery diet with the nutritionist and I don't notice anything other than my trousers fit a little more loosely than they did previously. Nothing in the mirror at all. I feel a lot better though and my endurance is much better when exercising or taking the stairs.

17 pounds lost at four weeks from surgery day weight.