Post Op Diet

[camodaisy]

Hi everyone,
So I've been reading a lot of the posts out here regarding post-op diet options. Honestly, I'm a little suprised to see the vast differences from surgeon to surgeon. I was given so many restrictions for my recovery time & life. One thing that was plainly & repeatedly preached at me was NO bread, No pasta, NO potatoes, NO rice forever! I'm settled with that, that's what I signed up for. No all of you were given the same advice, I'm wondering why I guess. I also practice 3 meals, that are mainly meat and a non-starchy veggie. SF beverages, that are non-carbonated, non-caffinated make up my drink selections.
Carbs were a huge problem for me pre-op (probably many of us) so I knew that restricting them would be key for me.
Out of curiosity how many of you recieved a similar post of guidelines? And if not what were the diferences?

Thanks for the replies!

[StephO]

I'm very interested in this, too. I have seen such a vast difference. I heard today no rice forever, and no caffeine. I had never heard either of those before, but the no caffeine makes sense (easier to get ulcers with a smaller stomach). Rice because it expands? I don't know. I am curious of other's restrictions, also.

[Norms]

No rice, no potatoes? I love sushi and be damned if anyone tells me I can't have a mushy potato with cottage chesse. I know with the bypass I was told there were certain foods I would never be able to eat again, which is why I opted for the sleeve. My dietitian and nurse have even told me to eat a little bit of potato or pumpkin with some of my meals so not to sure how it works for other people. I would say, if you can eat it without any problems, then it should be ok. Some foods I had to try once then wait a week before trying again....like sweet and sour pork but I've not had problems with food thus far.

[cowgirljane]

I guess the no potatoe, bread, rice and pasta is the low carb - faster weight loss advice. I don't believe there is a physical reason to restrict any foods with the sleeve once you are past the initial healing.

My plan is to really restrict carbs in the losing phase and then try to use the Atkins approach of slowly adding back and monitoring. Also, balancing carbs with protein is really helpful for me.

I think that if i said i would never have some of my favorite foods (potatoes!) for the whole rest of my life, it would make me want to cheat.

[Reneeru]

I down loaded the cornell university bariatric sleeve diet, very good info about eating!!

[jane_vsg_ayla]

I think there is a big difference between what we CAN eat and what we SHOULD eat. I can still eat a twinkie no problem (dont ask how I know )... doesnt mean that is something I should. Just because it "agrees" with your new sleeve doesnt mean its ok, even in moderation. The sleeve is a tool -not magic. It will help you follow the diet you know you are supposed to but could never do before because of willpower and hunger. But it wont do the work for you. It is very possible to get too much food in (i.e. if you drink while you eat, you will likely be able to finish a "normal" full size meal.. maybe not right away, but it wont take long...).

I think part of the key of this surgery, and why diets in general fail, is that you are not forbidden anything. Meaning you can have a bite of potato now and then. Not that you can eat potatoes all the time, but if you are "craving" one, a bite or two is ok and will satisfy you. Unlike with bypass, which may mean that a potato gives you explosive diarrhea or something.

It *is* possible to "fail" at this surgery. The most common reasons are: drinking while eating, "grazing" instead of eating defined meals/snacks, reverting to eating high calorie/high carb/high fat foods, and not exercising. The surgery is one part of the process - YOU are the other.

I think another reason to consider banning some foods is if they are your personal "trigger" food. If you know that you love white bread and donuts, and that once you start eating them you wont be able to stop, its best to avoid them altogether. Rice is not a trigger food for me - I dont care if they ban it. But they didnt, and if presented with the choice at a restaurant I might choose it, and I will eat a bite or two. But a donut... well thats just a really bad place for me So even if I am able to eat it, even if I can only physically eat a few bites, its a bad idea. Because it wont take long before I work my way up to the whole thing. And it becomes a habit again... Same with soda - I just cant go there.

[janielou]

I was told to stay away from fresh bread and rice because they get gummy and can clog up your small stomach. But that a little toast or a cracker might be OK. I am sure at some point down the road it would be OK to eat these things, but since we are trying to loose weight and restrict carbs, it seems like a no brainer to keep these out. Especially white rice and white bread. But I do agree with Norm. I am going to eventually have a few pieces of sushi. But sushi rice is really gummy, so I am going to have to give that some time.

[Melissa4444]

I'm new here, have been lurking. Am still weighing up my options, leaning towards the sleeve. I hope you don't mind me butting in here, this conversation has been useful. My jaw dropped here though : No caffeine? At all? Ever? Coffee?

I haven't met with my Drs yet (My GP recommended this surgery, and a surgeon {I'm in Australia}, I meet with them in a few weeks). SO I'm extremely early on in the process here, so please forgive the ignorance and stupid questions of a newbie.

I've been starting to prepare myself for cutting certain foods out of my life permanantly. Others, not being able to eat for a long time, and then only in small doses. But giving up coffee had literally not occurred to me! I don't drink, I don't smoke, but coffee....That worries me.

[janielou]

It is recommended to stay away from anything that stresses your body out. And caffeine does that. I was a Coke Zero person and gave that up back in May, so I can't really speak to coffee, but I plan on avoiding caffeine always. Besides, it is really acidic and will probably make you feel horrible.

[Birdy]

My doctor only restricted coffee for 3 weeks post op b/c of the acidity hindering healing of the stomach. I couldn't handle the thought of no coffee for the rest of my life...yikes!

[Alaska66]

God, I hope I have your willpower after my surgery. Sounds like you are doing great! I am really anxious about the surgery. Wish there was more long term data, but I know this procedure is still considered fairly new so my Dr. tells me.
Good luck to you, and way to go with the willpower.
Thanks,
Katie

[rubyspring]

My initial diet is much the same as camodaisy. Only when I reach my goal will I be able to add modest amounts of fruit and complex carbs (whole grain breads and pastas, brown rice). Although carbs may not be as low as they are now, they will need to be low in relation to proteins. I'm willing to live with that to be free of my diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. I made an easy transition to decaf coffee; I only had coffee on the weekends and already was a caffeine free coke drinker (do miss that sometimes).

[Kara]

Camodaisy, Dr. Walton is my surgeon too!!!!!!!!!!! Let's be buddies!

[Angela Schmangela]

Real potatoes are something that I still have trouble with, although I'm okay with mashed. And while I was told no more carbonated beverages ever, I was never given any restrictions about caffeine. I don't drink the amount of Spark I did before surgery, but I still drink them. And they absolutely do not upset my tummy at all.

[grammysyd]

I drink decaf coffee every day and my surgery was June 7. I drink one mug full and have ever since 2 wks post op. I drink that when I first get up and wait an hr and then I eat breakfast. It has never given me a problem. I suggest those of you who have not had surgery yet to start cutting down on the caffeine. Mix the coffee 1/2 decaf and 1/2 regular and gradually cut it down to all decaf. I did that before surgery. Your body gets used to it rather quickly. I tried a sip of diet coke, which was my fav bev before surgery. It tasted awful and I didn't want it anymore. I avoid carbonation. My dr said to avoid bread, pasta and rice because it swells after you eat it and I could stretch my stomach. Potatoes are ok, they don't swell. I do have a piece of whole grain bread once in a while because I get hungry for a sandwich. I did not eat any of this until I was 7 wks post op. I also love salad and could not have that until I was 8 wks post op. I still enjoy that, but I can only eat about a cup of it. This is what works for me. There is a saying that goes, "Know Thyself First". Each of us knows our triggers and we just don't need to go there. We are all different and different things work for different people. I think you just have to eat everything by trial and error. When you try something, just have a couple of bites until you know it agrees with you. I wish you all great success in your journey!