Reasons for the gradually changed diet post-op?

**pgarner64** · 03-03-2015 01:29 PM

I had my surgery two weeks ago today. I was very good about eating only liquids for the first week but last week I ate some soft foods and am tolerating them just fine.

Why do the docs recommend going from liquids to pureed to soft foods over a 6 - 10 week period? Is it because some people can't tolerate the heavier foods for a while?

I feel fantastic and haven't had any problems swallowing or keeping food down. I haven't had any reflux nor vomiting. I know I'm one of the lucky ones for sure, but will I screw anything up by moving to soft foods now?

**greenmomma** · 03-03-2015 01:33 PM

You should follow your surgeon's directions. The reason for the progression is that your stomach has been cut and then closed together with staples. You really do not want to risk getting bits of unchewed food in the unhealed staple line. That could lead to a nasty infection.

**GoPackGo** · 03-03-2015 01:43 PM

What she said^^^^^! Plus your nerves were cut during surgery. So the potential to overfill your healing pouch is increased during the healing phase. Do not stray from your plan. It could end you back on the surgery table with a leak. Your Dr. has a plan for a reason. It is what has worked for him/her through experience. Once your sleeve is healed then feel free to adjust as you feel necessary. There are many different thoughts on plans once you are healed. Until then, stay the course.

**lvman** · 03-03-2015 02:09 PM

Yeah take your time, we rushed and ate all we wanted, this is why where here now.

**mario** · 03-03-2015 02:15 PM

what they all said.

We can't see it, so we tend to forget, but internally we sustain a massive injury during this operation. The incisions on your belly are nothing compared to the trauma of slicing and dicing your stomach. So the beginning protocol is all about going easy while the stomach heals and seals itself back together. The dangers of getting an internal infection or causing a leak have to be minimized. You don't want them having to go back in to fix things.

**mario** · 03-03-2015 02:18 PM

p.s. If your surgeon is aware that you're tolerating everything so well, there's a good chance you'll move to more "normal" foods rather quickly. I was cleared for that in week 3. But this is definitely a case where you want to follow your surgeon's instructions to the tee.

**trexlee001** · 03-03-2015 02:35 PM

10 weeks seems a little long.. I was eating soft foods by week 5 and By week 6 I was pretty much eating anything (except for bread and pasta)

**mario** · 03-03-2015 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by trexlee001

10 weeks seems a little long.. I was eating soft foods by week 5 and By week 6 I was pretty much eating anything (except for bread and pasta)

yeah. good point. I missed that part of the OP. But we all know how surgeons are all over the place in their rules.

My surgeon didn't give me a long range plan. I think they decided each weekly stage based on my weekly follow-up.

sraebaer · 03-03-2015 04:26 PM

I'd do what he/she told me to, I was self pay and sure didn't want to end up back in the hospital! I could eat soft foods at two weeks, add stuff each week, until all foods at 6 weeks. It really wasn't bad at all, and now it's just a distant memory...

And it worked. I lost all my extra weight.