Help!! How did you do this???

[llburbach]

I am 16 days post op so just over two weeks and I am struggling with my energy level and the diarrhea (sorry so personal) I am still just eating broth, jello, water, protein shakes, Gatorade and yogurt. I am finding it hard to find the strength to not have anything but liquids. Should I be eating other foods at this stage. How did anyone make it through 4 weeks of fluids?? I will do what I need to in order to achieve my goal (lose weight and be healthy). I am just struggling and could really use some advice right now!!

[Ema]

You might add some fiber such as Benefiber or Citrucel. Those help you to feel fuller and they help stop the diarrhea.

[Eve4]

Per my booklet you should be starting on puréed foods. I'm almost 4 weeks out on Monday, and I'm on puréed and soft foods. If you try puréed your energy level will come up. Make sure you still get in your protein. Hope this helps.

[longingfortall]

Make sure you check with your nutritionist for help on what you should be eating. Many doctors have different requirements.

[bmiller140]

Physician instructions about the post-op diet differ. Do what your doctor tells you. Watch your proteins and water. You should be consuming close to 60 grams of protein every day by now. Protein is the key to everything for you throughout this journey. As you progress, you will start eating regular food and cut back on protein shakes. Be sure you are consuming no less than 64 ounces of fluid each day. You should progress to 64 ounces of water each day.

Your body is healing and we all heal at different rates. Eat right, drink water and do moderate exercise. But rest too.

Good luck - Bonnie

[Deejaycee76]

As the user above mentioned. ..check with your clinic. Puree things up and get that protein in. The farther out you are...The better and more normal you'll feel. I promise.
So, hang in there, talk to your clinic, and Giter Done

[llburbach]

Thank you everyone. I do not have a nutritionist but I will look into one. I will take everyone's advice and I appreciate the wonderful feedback.

[BillyJ]

As of week 2 you can have low fat low carb yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, fat free refried beans (moistened) with cheese, string cheese, eggs, any way bit fried and start introducing cooked veggies and small amounts of fruit. Once your body tolerates that you can have fish, chicken etc as long as they are baked, boiled or grilled. I hope that helps.

[Rerun4u2]

R u taking b12?

[Ann2]

I saw my nutritionist earlier this week. Here are her / my surgeon's post-operative eating instructions:

Stage 1 - Full liquids (1-2 weeks after surgery)
Stage 2 - Pureed (2 weeks)
Stage 3: Mechanical Soft (4-8 weeks; lasts until you are able to tolerate solid foods. DO NOT advance the diet until instructed to do so by the surgeon's office.)
Stage 4 - Solid Foods (typically, 3 months post-op for life)

Below are some details about the first two stages:

Stage 1: Full liquids (1-2 weeks after surgery)

Foods allowed: water, sugar-free drinks, sugar-free popsicles, sugar-fre gelatin, 100% fruit juices (but not orange, grapefruit or tomato), broth or bouillon, skim or 1% milk, lactose-free milk, low-fat soy milk, protein drinks, light yogurt, fat-free/sugar-free pudding, low-fat strained creamed soups, and thinned cream of wheat. Add protein powder as needed, to meet protein needs.

Foods NOT allowed: Any drinks with addd sugar, caffeine, or caronbation, whole milk, solid foods and orange, grapefruit or tomato juice.

Amounts: About 1-2 oz. (2-4 Tbsp) at one time. Take tiny sips during the day.

Reminders: It is important to get at least 6-8 cups of fluid between meals to stay hydrated. Include protein drinks/supplements daily for adequate protein. Sip liquids slowly; it is not possible to drink the amounts listed on the menu right after surgery.

Stage 2: Pureed (lasts about 2 weeks)

This diet gets the pouch ready forsoft foods, along with providing the 60-80 grams of protein needed daily.

Food Allowed: All liquids or foods on Stage 1. Also scrambled eggs, scrambled egg whites, scrambled egg substitute, low-fat cottage cheese, thinned cream of wheat made with milk, mashed beans, applesauce, baby food, and any pureed fruits, vegetables, and/or meats (use a blender or food processor for this).

Food NOT Allowed: Any liquids or foods not allowed on the previous stage, along with whole milk, any solid foods that aren't pureed, fried foods and any concentrated sweets. Avoid oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes and their juices.

Best wishes.

[llburbach]

R u taking b12?

Yes, I am doing the B Complex with B12 sublingual drops. Not sure if it is the best way yet to get my B12 since there are times I forget to take it. The instructions read to do one drop under my tongue up to 4 times a day. 1200mcg and I think that is in one drop. Not sure though.

[llburbach]

I saw my nutritionist earlier this week. Here are her / my surgeon's post-operative eating instructions:

Stage 1 - Full liquids (1-2 weeks after surgery)
Stage 2 - Pureed (2 weeks)
Stage 3: Mechanical Soft (4-8 weeks; lasts until you are able to tolerate solid foods. DO NOT advance the diet until instructed to do so by the surgeon's office.)
Stage 4 - Solid Foods (typically, 3 months post-op for life)

Below are some details about the first two stages:

Stage 1: Full liquids (1-2 weeks after surgery)

Foods allowed: water, sugar-free drinks, sugar-free popsicles, sugar-fre gelatin, 100% fruit juices (but not orange, grapefruit or tomato), broth or bouillon, skim or 1% milk, lactose-free milk, low-fat soy milk, protein drinks, light yogurt, fat-free/sugar-free pudding, low-fat strained creamed soups, and thinned cream of wheat. Add protein powder as needed, to meet protein needs.

Foods NOT allowed: Any drinks with addd sugar, caffeine, or caronbation, whole milk, solid foods and orange, grapefruit or tomato juice.

Amounts: About 1-2 oz. (2-4 Tbsp) at one time. Take tiny sips during the day.

Reminders: It is important to get at least 6-8 cups of fluid between meals to stay hydrated. Include protein drinks/supplements daily for adequate protein. Sip liquids slowly; it is not possible to drink the amounts listed on the menu right after surgery.

Stage 2: Pureed (lasts about 2 weeks)

This diet gets the pouch ready forsoft foods, along with providing the 60-80 grams of protein needed daily.

Food Allowed: All liquids or foods on Stage 1. Also scrambled eggs, scrambled egg whites, scrambled egg substitute, low-fat cottage cheese, thinned cream of wheat made with milk, mashed beans, applesauce, baby food, and any pureed fruits, vegetables, and/or meats (use a blender or food processor for this).

Food NOT Allowed: Any liquids or foods not allowed on the previous stage, along with whole milk, any solid foods that aren't pureed, fried foods and any concentrated sweets. Avoid oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes and their juices.

Best wishes.

Thank you so much for this list!!! It really helps. I am just feeling a little discouraged because it seems like the same thing day in and day out. Which is funny to say because before surgery I think I ate the same foods over and over and never became tired of them. lol

Thank you again for your response. This is very helpful.

Laura

[Sunny2]

Bless you it is confusing at this stage. I was on 2 weeks liquid, 2 weeks purée and 2 weeks soft food (mac and cheese, cauliflower cheese etc). I think first few weeks def the worse and then soft food. As you have already read it's trial and error for most foods - I don't think I will ever order soup again or mac cheese!!! I used to munch pickled onions by the jar - I tried a tiny bit of cooked onion - made me sick!!! Just stick to liquids til stomsch has time to heal and then after 2 weeks can safely eat soft food. I didn't have nutritionalist either - but I read others saying it's just eating sensible but normal and that's seeing me through. Keep well and keep posting xxx

[TLC82014]

I use a sublingual B12 but it is a disolvable pill. It tastes good and you only have to take once a day.