I've been reading a lot here and I see the basic post-op diet progression is the same: liquid, full liquid, puree, soft foods, then all foods. But why does the length of time vary so much? My post-op diet only includes 1 day of clear liquid (day right after surgery) and it makes me wonder if I'm on clear liquids long enough. What do you all think about the variations?

I was on clear liquids until I left the hospital which was one day. Then 2 weeks of liquids and now I am on pureed stage. That will go for two weeks and then two weeks of soft foods. Not sure why the difference. Maybe it is how they were trained

I went from clear liquids at the hospital to puréed food right when I got home. I thought it was weird but my doctor has success with this so I didn't question it.

I went from clear liquids at the hospital to puréed food right when I got home. I thought it was weird but my doctor has success with this so I didn't question it.

Did you have any problems with going right to pureed foods?

I think the variations are based on the doctor's experience with his patients and how safe he wants to play it. The main concern, I believe, is giving your stomach enough time to sufficiently heal before being stressed.

You can't go wrong by staying on the clear liquid diet longer than suggested.

And you can use my food test to see if your stomach is ready for a new food. Take a bite, about 1/2 teaspoon, wait 5 minutes, if there is no stomach upset, take another 1/2 tsp bite and wait 5 minutes. If I don't feel any stomach distress after that, I'm confident my stomach is ready for it.

But I still eat very slowly to see when I feel full. Different foods fill me up at different rates.

I've wondered the same thing, also the variations on what is allowed frustrates me. Some people can eat mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, and oatmeal on mushies. I was told all of those were too high on carbs. I love potatoes and would kill for some however my Dr is highly against them.

Did you have any problems with going right to pureed foods?

No I didn't. I didn't really eat any until I was about 4 days because I was in soooooooo much pain. But I'm 1 week out now and puréed foods are my best friend

I went from clear liquids at the hospital to puréed food right when I got home. I thought it was weird but my doctor has success with this so I didn't question it.

In hospital it was clear liquids and then next day I was home and started on pureed my next full day so it was technically 2 days from surgery I started pureed. I am on pureed for 4 weeks then soft for 4 weeks then regular diet.

Pureed is not my favorite but it beats liquid diet lol. You sure do learn to become a mixologist. I never knew I was so creative with food lol.

So far my favorite has been albacore tuna, plain chobani greek yogurt and hot picklesm it tastes just like it should with all the flavors blended nicely, it is a little gritty but for taste and consistency I have enjoyed it (: