Worried I screwed up big time

[Dannymac 0]

So I got sleeved exactly a week ago. The following was posted by me at OH for those of you who frequent both sites. I'm just trying to get some insight into a really frustrating situation.

I was on IV fluids only until Monday, when I started clears. I was on clears until Tuesday afternoon when my info packet said I could move to purees (including mashed potatoes). So since Tuesday, I've been eating the following:

-Refried Beans (made me a bit bloated and unhappy)

-Yogurt drinkables with splendaa(very pleasant, easy on my stomach)

-pudding cups (fill me up fast, but pleasantly satisfying)

-Soup with the chunks strained out, though not necessarily clear broth (ie, tortilla Soup and hot & sour)

-Soft tofu mashed into thin paste

-Runny oatmeal with milk and Splenda

-Starbucks Iced Latte with no sugar

Now bear in mind I just got back. Protein Drinks and sugar free options were very slim down in Mexico, so I had to commit minor carbicide a few times, just to get something in me. But is there anything on this list I should definitely NOT be having one week out? Only the beans felt like a bit too much. I'm also trying to better understand the when and when not to drink in relation to meals, even if the meals are mostly liquid. My doctor's diet schedule is incredibly vague "Softs: 3 days to three weeks" and a lot of the other ones overlap.

The confusion comes because Angeles Health's own literature is so damned inconsistent. I dug up one version of their post-op plan that outlines Week1: Clears, Week2: Protein shakes, Week3: Puree, etc. But my doctor's nutritionist handed me a paper packet that said to go from clears to puree on Day 4! So I did, and it even listed mashed potatoes as an option! I'm so confused! And now you all have me worried. My own nutritionist isn't seeing me because she thinks there's no point since my diet is so restrictive. I flat-out told my surgeon and his team I was having yogurt drinkables, strained soup (not necessarily clear), and mashed potatoes and they voiced no objection.

*sigh* Another issue is that when you're released from the hospital, they cut you loose and want you to stick to the diet plan. We found no easy Protein Shakes in Tijuana, nor did we find anything low-carb that I could eat in the pureed category. We really were left to our own devices.

My stomach feels okay. I was eating mashed potatoes extremely slowly, licking little bits from my spoon and could only eat an ounce or so before feeling full. I'm perfectly happy to scale it back now that I'm back in the States. Should I just go back to my pre-op protein shakes? How do I know if my sleeve is okay and didn't get stretched?? The potatoes were okay at first, but now I just feel a bit bloated. I guess I'm trying to get some peace of mind that I haven't done any permanent damage to my new sleeve.

PS - The coffee dried me out, so I think I've learned my lesson on that.

[TijuanaPlication 87]

I had my operation at Angeles Health in Tijuana and I was told Clear Liquids for the first week, so there was no option got get Protein during the first week. You can have juice to get some calories and I had Crystal Light and miso Soup. The early weeks are all about getting your fluids in, so don't worry about the protein just yet.

Week 2 was what the nutritionist at Angeles Health described as 'full liquids' ie anything you can get through a straw, so milk and yogurt drinks were permitted.

Week 3 was mushies. I didn't use a blender but I chewed and chewed and chewed my food to pulp. Fish is a nice easy one when you're on mushies.

Potatoes and Beans are definite no nos in weeks one and 2. When you're further out you can have them, but you should fill up on protein first and only have them if you then have space.

To stretch your sleeve you'd have to eat repeatedly to the point of vomiting. I'm 7 months out and haven't vomited once since my surgery.

When I was on the liquids stage I had Water any time I wanted it, as you're concentrating on trying to get enough in. Liquids can make solid food leave your stomach sooner than if you don't have them, but this isn't a concern when you're a liquid only diet.

[lunarose 97]

The list look good assuming you are eating the low fat Beans and sugar free pudding. Becareful with the drinkable yogurts some are super high in sugar and not as much Protein then a little greek yogurt .

[TijuanaPlication 87]

The point about the Protein in Greek yogurts is correct, but Greek yogurt isn't liquid. This would be fine in week 3 when you go to mushies.

The list look good assuming you are eating the low fat Beans and sugar free pudding. Becareful with the drinkable yogurts some are super high in sugar and not as much protein then a little greek yogurt .

[swizzly 901]

Everything you've eaten would have been fine for my program, they served me mash when I was still in hospital, along with coffee. I too would watch the sugar levels on anything, but aside from that, seems fine to me. I think you should add in more Protein if you can, but mostly focus on drinking loads of Water. Good luck!

[TijuanaPlication 87]

You were fortunate. At Angeles Health I got apple juice, full sugar Jello and chamomile tea at every meal. At lunch I got some broth (would've loved to have that for Breakfast and dinner too). I was sooo sick of sweet stuff... and I have a sweet tooth LOL!!

Everything you've eaten would have been fine for my program, they served me mash when I was still in hospital, along with coffee. I too would watch the sugar levels on anything, but aside from that, seems fine to me. I think you should add in more Protein if you can, but mostly focus on drinking loads of Water. Good luck!

[swizzly 901]

You were fortunate. At Angeles Health I got apple juice, full sugar Jello and chamomile tea at every meal. At lunch I got some broth (would've loved to have that for Breakfast and dinner too). I was sooo sick of sweet stuff... and I have a sweet tooth LOL!!

Yeah, I was getting the special bariatric-specific meals, so the only 'sweet' thing I got was a wee tiny cup of SF Protein shake and a serving of SF panna cotta. Other than that, it was all savory stuff, which I was REALLY glad about!

[Dannymac 0]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I did only try to get SF yogurt drinkables, which they did have. I do have to say, that after mushed tofu and mashed potatoes yesterday, my stomach was (and still kind of is) feeling overfull and unhappy. I'm a bit better this morning, though trying to get enough Water in. I'm going to cool it this week and just to Protein Shakes and yogurt. Like Plication, I am just really sick of dessert crap. I want something savory really badly. I had some Tomato Soup on the plane that really agreed with me well and made me feel satisfied. The runny oatmeal and tortilla Soup liquid also were easy on me and filled me up. It's just the Beans and potatoes at this point that have made me feel bloated and gassy. I guess I was just starting to get a little antsy about not getting enough Protein, seeing 12 pounds come off in a week and, worried it was just muscle mass.

[lunarose 97]

I loved mixing strained chicken noodle Soup (I like it better then broth) and put in a scoop of chicken broth flavored Protein Powder.< /p>

[ER New 2]

You were really lucky !.

I also had my surgery last saturday at Angeles and i got nothing except a cup of ice the day i was leaving....and up until today Water, tea, juice and chicken broth!!. Any chance your surgery was at 8am or so ?

Good luck to us all !!

[TijuanaPlication 87]

Yep mine was at 8am and I stayed in 3 nights after. I was having problems getting in enough fluids so I wanted to stay on the drip a bit longer. The day of surgery I had nothing but a cup of ice chips.

Years go I ended up being re-admitted a week after having my uvula removed (surgery resolved my sleep apopnea - similar to apnea) and I was scared of this happening again. It didn't - I had no problems getting enough fluids by the time I was discharged.

You were really lucky !.

I also had my surgery last saturday at Angeles and i got nothing except a cup of ice the day i was leaving....and up until today Water, tea, juice and chicken broth!!. Any chance your surgery was at 8am or so ?

Good luck to us all !!

[ybnormal 21]

Yeah Starbucks wasn't on my list of things I could have. I will admit to taking two tiny sips of coffee about 2 weeks out and to be honest, those 2 sips were enough for me.