It is so bizarre that there are so many different pre op and post op procedures out there. Surely after all this time they have worked out what the best possible procedure is. I can understand maybe the pre op diet stuff might depend on how much you weigh etc but the post op surely should be similar. I have heard some people have been on liquids for as little as 4 days or as much as 4 weeks. This just seems really bizarre to me. I'm on liquids for 2 weeks then pureed, then mushed etc building up to solids over 6 -8 weeks. I also don't get my first fill for 6 weeks but that is probably more to do with my surgeon being on holidays.

I agree!! It is not just small variations either. I can't imagine people staying on liquids for a month or actually 6 weeks counting the pre-op diet. I would probably be close to my goal before I got my first fill and in need of plastic surgery!!!!!!! Actually, I know I couldn't do it and I commend those who are able to stick with it!

It does seem crazy, but all you can do is stick with what your surgeon tells YOU to do.

Its like the long term post op diet too - its all Protein first there in America but we dont do that in Australia. Yet its extremely unlikely that one of us is entirely right and the other entirely wrong.

The only think I can think of that's good is that if you've been given Clear Liquids for three weeks and you cheat (and gosh, nearly anyone would die trying to do this) then at least you can feel OK becuase I only had to do clear liquids for one day!

I had some of the same concerns, but I just do what my surgeon tells me because he must have his reasons for things. Until something goes wrong, I am just going to follow his instructions. Like, he says coffee is fine, others don't. At first I worried about this, but why would he tell me to do something that will hurt me?

I agree, the variations are just odd and confusing, especially when you read all the posts on this forum. The best any of us can do is follow our doctor's instructions.:tongue2:

I agree that there should be a standard set of dietary guidelines. Don't these bariatric surgeons go to symposiums or something and isn't there data to suggest what it best? Shouldn't there be research or medical justification for the dietary restrictions we are put on? I hope that it isn't a hit or miss approach with each doctor trying his or her thing to find out what works. My doctor is on the strict end but I read about so many whose doctors were lenient. And they seem to be doing okay.

I get banded Dec 22. I have to do clear liquids for one week. Then, day after surgery I go to full liquids. Which means I can have strained creamed soups and pudding added to my clear liquid diet. My Doc said one cup of coffee a day after I am healed will be okay. I guess just go with what your own Doc tells you and you should be okay.

My dietician gave me the standard 2 weeks fluids then pureed, then mashed slowly building up to solids by 6-8 weeks but he said that I should listen to my body and move to the next stage when I feel ready. I'm one week post op and feel like I could start something a little more thicker than liquid but too scared so will wait the 2 weeks.