Why the drastic differences in post-op diets?

[momof3girls 0]

I am posting in this in 2 seperate places in order to get a variety of opinions. I am just curious why it is that doctor's post-op diets vary so much from doctor to doctor? I am on clears still and going CRAZY, 7 days out. I notice the Cornell program discharges people on soft foods? Huh? Any insight, just for my own knowledge would be great! Thanks so much.

[KathyM 14]

Frustrating, isn't it? I am on my preop diet and it is crazy how different the diets can be!

[Lisalu 89]

Different doctor's opinions? My doc would have me doing 2 weeks clears with a few Protein drinks. I looked up the Cornell diet and decided they had a good reputation and I wouldn't be in trouble with some Soup (purreed) and a soft boiled egg.

My surgeon was GREAT but his dietician a bit of a ditz. I TRIED to work with her on a long term diet that will work for me, but she wasn't into thinking critically. My doc is out of town (I mean, I traveled from home to have surgery), so I'm going to find a dietician here to work with. So far the Cornell plan looks like the most doable of all the plans, so I'd like to use that as a starting place.

[nurse_ally 0]

I'm with ya, Jen. The clears are driving me CRAZY and I don't care if I never eat broth again. I have to admit I guess I sort of cheated and got egg drop Soup from my fav chinese restaurant because I just couldn't take it anymore. I've eaten some the last two days and been fine. Granted, the soup part is clear and I chewed the little egg pieces until they were mush before I swallowed them, but I can't wait til tomorrow when I can eat full liquids. My mommy is making me some potato soup that I'll puree' Anyway, I totally understand how you feel. I'm gonna goole this Cornell program and see what they have to say...

[momof3girls 0]

Ally - I want egg drop Soup so bad. OMG! We won't talk about cheating. Since I have started having NOT clear Protein shakes. I couldn't cut it otherwise. I was starving. I had a bite of low carb, sugar free yogurt tonite. Surprisingly, it didn't do the trick.

How is the gurgling in your stomach. Mine is better but by no means gone.

[nurse_ally 0]

My tummy is just a gurglin' away, Jenn! I got some of the chewable Gas X and it seems to work for awhile, then the gurgling just comes right back. Also, this was my first night back at work since surgery and I am d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g! I don't know if it's because I don't have enough food on board or if I'm coming down with a cold. Ugh... How are you feeling?

[hmcclellan 0]

I am 4 days post op and I couldn't agree with you more. I wondered the same thing. My program has me on Clear Liquids with creamy Soups for 2 weeks before I can progress to soft foods. I made myself some cream of broccoli Soup and it was awesome. So far so good.

[Ellisa 6]

My doc has me on clear liquid for one week post op also. Had I not had to have a band removed and a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time I would have been on pureed within a couple of days. The danger of leakage is higher due to the band removal. Also I didn't have to have a pre op diet this time. Because my BMI is around 30 rather than above 40. Also I've never carried most of my weight in the belly area.

Please keep in mind that your doc may have decided on your post op diet based on what he saw when he did your surgery and may have a different diet for another patient. I'm 56, so I assume my tissue wouldn't be as good as a 20 year old, even if this were my first WLS. Please do as your doctor recommends and don't try to do what someone else is allowed. :thumbup:

[heathernowak 0]

Cornell's eating plan is so great!! Why can't that be my plan? And it's the same one they use for the by-pass patients as well. WHY! WHY! WHY!

[mp8btpc 32]

Sorry for the big print I gotta adjust my settings.

Anyways, my doctor sent a post op diet that was really strict on liquids for 3 whole weeks. I took a look at the Cornell one and said ...I will take that one! LOL. So I sort of combined the two and used common sense and took it very slow when advancing to the next stage. I just figured they are a well respected facility. My surgery was straight forward, I am young, my health was good other then the whole obese thing. It worked well for me and I seem to be losing at a good pace.

Edited September 27, 2010 by mp8btpc
print seemed huge in reply box, not so huge on screen.

[M2G 1,836]

I was thinking the same thing...lol.

Even about pre-op stuff. I had heard so much about liquid dieting to shrink the liver before surgery, but when I mentioned that at one of my visits they (the surgeon's office) was like "oh my goodness, no we do a 24 hour clear diet the day before surgery and that is it. We feel like longer than that is cruel"...so then I asked about my liver and they said "oh it is fine" ...so go figure?

I agree with Ellisa, just do what they say to do, even though there is a big difference among surgeons within the bariatric community.