Why do post-op diet stages differ so much?

[Epo-VSG 3]

I was sleeved on 5/3, and have been on the post-op stage 2 Full liquid diet stage for a little over a week. Had my first post-op appt today, praying I could move on to purees, but my doctor has a blanket 3 weeks of stage 2 rule.

I'm getting more than enough Protein and fluids, staying under 800 calories, and having no issue with the supplements. I only get head hunger at dinner time. I just want to taste different foods. What's the difference between full liquid and super pureed to the point of practical liquification?

If I pureed chili until it was completely smooth (thanks to the vitamix!), and it was just as thin as a thinned cream Soup, what's the problem?

I'm frustrated because I told my doctor I had eaten Apple sauce and Greek yogurt and he completely flipped out on me. Maybe he didn't hear me say I thinned and processed it until it was practically a drink... But now I'm confused. Is it OK for me to liquify things at this stage or not?

How come surgeons progress people at different time periods? It hardly seems custom to the person and their recovery, but rather a doctor decides the plan that all of the doctor's patients must follow.

I'm mainly focused on the medical risks. Is liquified chili sauce more dangerous than strained cream of chicken soup?

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[meaniey2k 31]

I had bypass on 5/4 and I am struggling too. Hang in there

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[Sophie74656 1,572]

I have always wondered that too. I have seen people posting here about their post op timetable and everyone is so different. I have seen people say they were on fluids for full month and I have seen people eating soft foods a few days post op.

the important thing is to follow what YOUR doctor says

Edited May 12, 2016 by Sophie74656

[KristenLe 5,979]

It could be that they're concerned introducing new foods (even if liquid) could cause vomiting which can cause significant complications (leak, etc). Programs/Surgeons seem to all have their own thoughts and ways they learned (or researched) that they feel is best. Does your Program have a NUT who you could call and see if liquifying chili is okay. Try some Protein Shakes made with veggies (no seeds) and Protein Powder for a different taste.

[judanna77 45]

When I first met with my surgeon, I asked him what research he had used to come up with his post-op guidelines, and why there was such variation in the post-op guidelines from different surgeons. He laughed and said that there really wasn't any research, and that it seemed like most of the guidelines out there were based on an abundance of caution- like no really knows the best time for moving to soft foods, so most surgeons have a really long liquid phase just to be sure. He said that when he and his partners formed their surgical group, they each had different post-op guidelines that they were used to, and that they just flipped a coin to decide what would become the guidelines for the group practice. Then he said that all that really mattered to him was that patients stay on Stage 1 (Clear liquids plus Protein shakes) until their first post-op appointment with him. But after that, he was fine with advancing the stages quicker than his written guidelines, as long as the patient proceeded with caution.

You will get a lot of advice on here to follow your surgeon's plan exactly. You're not going to go wrong following that advice. But it also doesn't make much logical sense to me- there are tons of different post-op plans out there, but somehow your own surgeon's plan is the only right one for you? I say that in the end, you are responsible for your own health. I personally don't feel like you've taken an unacceptable risk by straying from your surgeon's plan with liquified, thinned-out chili and yogurt. It's not like you were eating solid food or anything else that might put undue pressure on your staple-line. In the end, it's up to you to decide.

[NeedaBreak4Me 1,755]

Every plan is very different.

We start pureed food the day we are discharged from hospital..