No Post-Op Special Diet!

[jerri 1]

I was reading over the dietary information given to me on my first visit. Dr. Blackstone doesn't do a special post-op diet like I've been reading about in this forum. Her information says that there is not blending or baby food diet after surgery. I will be eating regular food within 1 week after surgery. Has anyone had this diet with their doctor? Can it be done, really?

[Dawn 16]

My NUT said she has talked to a lot of others about special diets after surgery and has been hearing a lot of others say that they aren't doing anything either. That everyone has to learn to eat "real" food anyways so might as well learn from the start by chew chew chewing and taking it slow! I personally wouldn't have wanted to eat regular foods right away but who knows, if it works for someone then all the more power to them!

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

Some surgeons are a lot more lax than others. My doc says 10 days Clear Liquids, 10 days full liquids, 10 days mushies, but there's a respected program out of Cornell University that starts you on mushy foods after 3 days, if I remember correctly (you can google Cornell Weight Loss Surgery Guidelines and probably find the guide rather quickly). I don't know how comfortable I'd be with non-pureed foods my 2nd day post-op....so I'd suggest at least doing the Cornell thing to take it easy on your stomach.

[swizzly 901]

Yes, here they start serving you some normal foods already in hospital, from like day 2 post-op; maybe after a few days of that, I'll figure out what to do when I go home, as I have no Protein shakes or special blenders or anything. (Also, they have no pre-op diet.) Guess I'll figure it out as I go...

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

I was reading over the dietary information given to me on my first visit. Dr. Blackstone doesn't do a special post-op diet like I've been reading about in this forum. Her information says that there is not blending or baby food diet after surgery. I will be eating regular food within 1 week after surgery. Has anyone had this diet with their doctor? Can it be done, really?

This is not the first time I've heard of this. However, me personally, my surgeon (BBJ and I had the same one) was one of the more conservative Post Op diet plans. I honestly took it even slower because I just couldn't tolerate a whole lot right off the bat.

Nothing wrong at all with taking your time. It's better to go too slow than too fast. However if you find that you can eat more easily by following your guidelines, then I guess for you it is OK.

Good luck!!

[meggiep 57]

From what I have read, a lot of it is about letting the staple line heal well- and I will err on the side of conservative to hep that happen. I figure giving that time without stressing the incision area is worth it for a short while in prep for a long life of healthy (tiny) stomach!

[Billy363627 15]

The reason why so many doctors say liquids, thick liquids, soft foods the regular foods because the stomach is new and is prone to leaks until healed. I would be scared as hell if my doctor said that you could go on regular foods after day 3. Are you sure you are having the vertical sleeve? If you are the best chances of getting a leak are within the first 4 weeks. There isn't any way I will be putting any food solids into my sleeve until after 5 weeks of surgery..You might want to double check with them and make sure they are giving you the guidelines for the sleeve. I am so glad that I have the restrictions like I do. i really dont' want to borrow any problems..

[PamelaAM 16]

With a new staple line and a freshly cut stomach, I would make sure to go really easy in the beginning. My surgeon was fairly lax, allowing mushies after 14 days (clear for 3 days, then full liquids until 14 days) and I struggled even with some of THOSE food choices. The other thing that was explained to us in our Options classes was that a regular stomach expands and contracts to help digest your food and your new one won't do that, at least in the beginning. So my suggestion would be to take it very slowly and when you DO start on solid food please remember to absolutely pulverize the food by chewing and chewing and then chewing some more. You don't want to suffer the pain and discomfort of food that is not digesting.

[jerri 1]

Thanks everyone. She doesn't use staples but rather stitches laproscopically. Not sure if that makes a difference. The Scottsdale hospital did a study showing that there were more complications with staples so she stopped using them. Also, she's rated the best bariatric surgeon in Arizona. Everyone I know uses her. I have my pre-op appt tomorrow. I intend to get more info about post-op diet while there. But, believe me, I will heed your advice here because you have all been through it. If it hurts to put it in my tummy, I ain't doin it!

[meggiep 57]

Thanks everyone. She doesn't use staples but rather stitches laproscopically. Not sure if that makes a difference. The Scottsdale hospital did a study showing that there were more complications with staples so she stopped using them. Also, she's rated the best bariatric surgeon in Arizona. Everyone I know uses her. I have my pre-op appt tomorrow. I intend to get more info about post-op diet while there. But, believe me, I will heed your advice here because you have all been through it. If it hurts to put it in my tummy, I ain't doin it!

Does she still cut the stomach or does she fold it (plication)?

[jerri 1]

Does she still cut the stomach or does she fold it (plication)?

Well, I assume she cuts it but, thanks. That's a good question I will ask her today at pre-op. I've never heard of folding it..... do you have more info on this? What is this, "folding" surgery called? It wouldn't be an "....ectomy". Maybe Gastrotomy? But, no... it is called vertical sleeve gastrectomy which means removal.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Well, I assume she cuts it but, thanks. That's a good question I will ask her today at pre-op. I've never heard of folding it..... do you have more info on this? What is this, "folding" surgery called? It wouldn't be an "....ectomy". Maybe Gastrotomy? But, no... it is called vertical sleeve gastrectomy which means removal.

There is also a surgery where the surgeon folds the stomach into itself and sews it into place. It is very new and to my knowledge has only been being performed for the last 2 years or so. It's still in the trial stages... It's called the Gastric Plication, which doesn't sound like what you had done.

Much success on your journey!!

[Butrcupz622 1]

The whole point of keeping to a diet afterwards is to allow the stomach to heal properly. My diet plan consisted of 2 weeks on liquids, 2 weeks on mushies and then start slowly on the real foods. And when I did start eating again, it was difficult. The smallest bites had me feeling full and uncomfortable and they were sometimes accompanied with pain. Take your time to adjust. It's the best thing in my opinion.