Post-op Diet: First Few Weeks

[cgp1204 11]

I had RNY on Tuesday, five days ago. Knock on wood, I’m doing well. But, I am starving today. I cannot bear the Protein Shakes and broth. It makes me sick to even look at them now.

My doctor prescribes the same diet to everyone. Day 1 - 14 Clear Liquids and Protein shakes; day 14 - 21 add plain yogurt, liquified cream of wheat, low-fat milk; day 22 start puréed food. I’m not going to make it that long without food. Why are there so many discrepancies among how doctors determine post-op guidelines?? I’ve seen people on purée by week two. Can I start something else now? Ugh. Having temporary buyer’s remorse.

[SummerTimeGirl 580]

So pre-op diet for me was 11 days of 4 shakes a day and 4, 1 cup servings of non starchy veggies. Then of course the day before was just clear liquids. That was it.

Then AFTER surgery it was 2 weeks Full liquid then 1 week Puree then 2 weeks Soft Foods and then finally, regular foods after that.

As more people post you will see some of our plans vary greatly and some are very similar. Strange how that is. LOL

[Guest]

I had a week of liquids (we don't discern between clear and full here, because your stomach doesn't care what color things are) and hated the shakes. So I made them myself - with program approval - out of high-protein, sugar-free yoghurt (skýr), whey Protein Powder, banana and OJ.

I know, I know, I had triple-digit calories and that's not how you're supposed to do it. You're apparently supposed to starve and be miserable so you can really think about how fat you are. After all, after 6 months pre-op on Optifast and standing on your head to prove you want it, what's a few more weeks?

In Europe, however, you'd be able to have the above.

Edited March 6, 2022 by Guest

[cgp1204 11]

😂 Thank you for a much needed laugh. I had the same thought today - this is all a psychological ploy to make patients miserable and then ultimately grateful for a small can of tuna or a piece of cheese when this is all over (and not taking food for granted which clearly we did). I decided today I’d rather just be fat, but I guess it’s too late 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Guest]

Just now, cgp1204 said:

😂 Thank you for a much needed laugh. I had the same thought today - this is all a psychological ploy to make patients miserable and then ultimately grateful for a small can of tuna or a piece of cheese when this is all over (and not taking food for granted which clearly we did). I decided today I’d rather just be fat, but I guess it’s too late 🤷🏻‍♀️

My biggest pet peeve is the American insurance programs. My goodness.

(My second-biggest is the Stockholm syndrom the Optifasters undergo "no it was akshually good for me to drink Crystal Light for a year while singing Dolly Parton songs, except if on a Saturday before 4pm, then we jiggle our bellies and yell at the fat".

And my third-biggest is dietitians having patients on 600 calories a day. What do they think the metabolism learns ... hmmm...)

ANYWAY: you know what you've just been given? An e x c e l l e n t opportunity to practice 'living in the middle'. Which is what you'll do all the time at maintenance:

Maybe there's a place between the shakes you hate and 'being fat forever'. Maybe that place is making your own shake and making sure it's sufficiently thin/fluid, and then tomorrow call your program and tell them you're not doing the gross shakes, period, give me alternatives?

[Arabesque 6,488]

Yes, plans are different but there are similarities too. The plan for a staged return to eating solid food is given to you for a reason: to protect your poor healing tummy (remember all those internal sutures & staples holding your tummy together) & support your recovery. You don’t want to stress & strain your tummy & digestive system. It’s always best to follow your surgeon’s plan. They gave it to you for a reason: the surgery, any additional work that was done (hernia repair, etc.), your personal health history, their experiences, etc.

I didn’t enjoy shakes either (grainy & gross) but I literally just sucked it up for the two weeks. I added more Water to dilute them & warmed the chocolate flavoured one (tried to convince myself it was hot chocolate). I also found the bone broths unpleasant but cream Soups were fine. Try the broths in pho or wonton Soup - just strain them well to ensure you’re only getting the liquids. Or you can buy unflavoured Protein powder & make your own like @MiniGastricBypassDude suggested. You can also add it to any soups you are able to tolerate.

All the best.

[Tufflaw 463]

Wow those are tough restrictions. My doctor had me started on pureed foods on day 1. First day home from hospital I had some scrambled eggs and then later some chicken salad and tuna salad.

[cgp1204 11]

This is what’s so crazy to me about the discrepancies. I wish in my case it was more tailored to the individual. I did email my doctor to tell him I’m struggling, so we’ll see he says.

[Guest]

Mine was 3 shakes a day for 10 days before. Then my surgery was delayed so it turned into 19 days. Then it was meant to be 2 shakes a day for ten days after surgery. Which I couldn't do. I literally began to gag on them. The reality is, you don't need to have the shakes if: you make something to drink that's just as thin and smooth and preferably with Protein (although the short term protein requirements are overblown, a week with sub-optimal protein does nothing and no you don't lose muscle either). So you could blend Greek yoghurt with Water, protein powder and skinless cooked pears for example. Just make sure it's as thin and smooth as a shake and you'll be fine.

[cgp1204 11]

You’re a trooper! 19 days pre-op would have done me in. But yes, the gagging is real. I am probably going to try the homemade route.

[ShoppGirl 3,382]

12 minutes ago, cgp1204 said:

You’re a trooper! 19 days pre-op would have done me in. But yes, the gagging is real. I am probably going to try the homemade route.

If you make them at home just watch the tiny seeds in strawberries. Depending on what stage you are in those may not be allowed.

[Guest]

53 minutes ago, cgp1204 said:

You’re a trooper! 19 days pre-op would have done me in. But yes, the gagging is real. I am probably going to try the homemade route.

And the first one I loved! The silver lining is it's put me off both chocolate and shakes, can't stand the smell even.

[emilyemiliemilu 10]

I was on Optifast for 26 days pre op and had no problems. Actually enjoyed the shakes. Post-op, my doc didn’t supply the shakes so I bought some Protein powder. I mix my protein with milk and Greek yogurt for a hearty shake, however I’m only able to get down 3 shakes a day and I am soooo hungry. It’s keeping me up at night. Hoping I can transition to puréed foods on Thursday.

[xxaprilrose 3]

new here.. I just had my surgery on Thurs so 5 days ago for me as well.... I wonder why everyones plan is different too. I was sent home with a list for week 1, 2, 3-4, 5-6, and week 7. Right now with week one its just the liquid diet but on friday I can start week 2 which includes mashed potatoes, yogurt, plain oatmeal, unsweetened applesauce and cottage cheese. Personally I dont like anything on the list except for mashed potatoes but man can I not wait until Friday for them! I had the gastric bypass rather than the sleeve so I wonder if thats the difference? I have no idea but I am curious why it varies so much.

[cgp1204 11]

So I was talking to one of my best friends who had RNY a year ago. She transitioned early to purées (which we classified as cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, yogurt, etc) because she was starving. I actually started doing cottage cheese and very small amounts of baby food (apples with no added sugar) two days ago, and yogurt yesterday. I also did a tiny bowl of creamed Soup. I was starving and even tried the homemade Protein Shake. I couldn’t get it down. I think my body is done with drinkable and fruit flavored artificial food (ugh) for a while. I’d reached out to my doctors office but haven’t heard back so just decided to listen to my body. I am feeling way better now and my hunger is better controlled.

I’ve also decided that because there is no one set of standard practices across RNY for post-op diet, then that means there’s no uniform BEST practice. Doctors have their perspective but it’s not tailored to the specific patient. My husband passed away last Sept after a two year battle with brain cancer, and the one thing I learned during that time is that every doctor sees things differently. I think RNY is no exception.

All of us newbies will make it 😊