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.

I don't blame you! I would be going nuts. It was bad enough for me to be on liquids the day before surgery and a week afterwards. I can't imagine being on liquids for over a month!

Mary

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.

Katy, I do understand where you're at- I'm on day 11 of 14 pre-op of OptiFast and clear liquids only, and I'm batty myself. Plus my doctor is super strict like yours.

But- I do want to support you in following your doctor's orders just because you will find out you can!

Or at least get clearance from him to stop your post-op liquids early. You have an ongoing relationship with him, and how are you going to deal with him knowing you've taken matters into your own hands?

I'm grateful my doc is strict- I'll even be on mushies while I'm on vacation, long after most people have moved on to solids. But I know he has his reasons, and he's not part of a Bariatric Center of Excellence for no reason.

Mostly I like knowing I can do what's difficult, that I have the necessary self-discipline. It wasn't self discipline that got me to where I need the band in the first place. My way hasn't worked.

Know you can follow recommendations, and be proud of yourself for knowing you can do it!

Edited May 22, 201016 yr by AnneGG

Yeah, I am only on day 4 of my pre-op diet and having trouble. 6 weeks post-op liquid diet just seems CRAZY to me. My doctor wants me to do 2 weeks of liquid after surgery and then I can start introducing soft foods. 6 weeks of liquid seems cruel. I commend you for making it this long!!!

I was only on liquids for one week- then soft foods for a week, then solids. I had no trouble at all. I agree, your doctor is very strict.

I feel your pain! I have a strict doc/nutritionist as well. I had to be on full liquids 2 weeks prior to surgery and for 3 weeks after. Then I have to go to pureed for 2 weeks and then to soft for 2 and finally around the 4th of July I get to have solids! Seems a long ways a way, but I'm determined to stick to it as best I can.:thumbup:

You won't get any scolding from me. I think a liquid diet of that duration is insane!

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

Seriously I commend you for lasting that long... I was on clear liquids for ten days and almost went batty... just make sure you don't jump ahead to quick- I went from purees to soft to fast and it hurt so I had to go back for a bit.

OMG! My doctor wanted me to do two weeks of liquids, and then two weeks of mushies. By the end of the 3rd week I was eating very small pits of steak. I couldn't take it. I was so hungry. My band is probably ruined now - haha! I had a filet-o-fish the other day. I was STUFFED! It took me forever to eat it. I get my first fill tomorrow so I guess fish sandwiches will be out again...GOOD NEWS!!

My Plan from my dr was 1 weeks liquid,, this included creamed soups, jelly.. ect ..

then 2 weeks mushie then real food.

I think I was cheering you on in sticking with it, Katy, in order to cheer myself on. This sure isn't easy.

I do support you in being honest with your doc, though, so as to have a good ongoing relationship.

My dr does a 2 week liquid diet then 2 week puree then 2 week mishies after your surgery. My post op was one week after surgery and she told me I can move onto the next stage two days later (which is not the full 14 days on liquids). I'd say talk to your dr, tell them you're hungry and going insane :thumbup: Chances are you're healed to the poin that you can move onto puree/mushies

I say don't do it! You have come this far what is a few more days? There are reasons your doctor has you doing this. I know it's hard...Believe me, I've been in your shoes.....

I did 100% Clear Liquids 4 weeks pre-op and 2 weeks post-op and I followed my doctors orders to a T! When I decided to get banded I decided I was going to do this the right way and follow all the rules and guidelines my doctor/dietitian had for me. Yes, it was hard and I got sick of everything but looking back now it was so worth it. If you just can't do it then I would call your doctor and ask. A few more days isn't going to kill you.

Good Luck

It is crazy how wildly different pre and post-op instructions can be from doctor to doctor. My surgeon has her patients do clear liquids for just 3 days post-op and then go straight to real food on day 4 post op. I was eating Christmas dinner w/my family just 8 days after surgery. And, she is a center of excellence too.

When I asked one of the PAs why post-op diets are so different she said that most practices do not have a big enough staff to deal w/all the questions and issues that might come up when their patients move to real food. So, they keep them on liquids a long long time because if you never eat, you will never get stuck, you will never have any issues, and you'll never need to call the office. Interesting.