8 days post op. Pinch me!

[brightnessofhope]

I've lost 13 lbs! Was 287 when I was weighed just before surgery. Today, day 8, I'm 274. I can't believe it. I feel great! I'm eating chicken and cooked veggies and protein shakes and I'm so happy. So I'm doing a little happy dance!

[Gail8]

Congrats, I know how exciting that is!

[ltlsqueak]

I am so excited for you! Way to go! Doesn't it feel great. You are working so hard and now you are seeing the rewards. Keep up the hard work and its only uphill from here. Keep us posted. Woohoo for you!!!

[reading mom]

I'm so happy for you! And it's going to keep getting better!

[oncebanded]

Chicken and veggies 8 days post op? Whoa!

[JustJess]

That is awesome! 8 days!! Exciting to hear....I still have to be on liquids for 3 wks after my surgery...

[Erics]

Congrats! I remember the first "real" food I had after surgery pureed clam chowder!! I am 18 days post op and I cant wait to have some citrus fruit!! I have 2 weeks on the pureed diet then soft food. I really haven't pureed anything, I just cut it real small a chew for awhile. I can't wait to have crunchy veggies too!!

[jodi2]

yay congrats! i was under assumption that for first 2 wks you only have protein shakes??

[oncebanded]

Usually, it's some type of liquid diet in stages for 4-6 weeks. I'm shocked there is food being eaten after a week.

[ximmia]

That's great! And it's only going to get better.

[brightnessofhope]

Every surgeon seems to have a different pre and post op plan. My doctor works in a "Center of Excellence" and the head Dr. there, Dr. Robin Blackstone (if you google her) seems to have written the book on creating a center of excellence for your bariatric center. They have an extensive pre and post op education program. All the patients who had surgery the week I did came together for our post op education class on Tuesday and we all ate our first meal together. My center only does one day of liquids pre-op and one week post op. Now I do have to make sure my food is soft and moist and chew considerably. Even the food varies-for instance, I am not allowed mashed potatoes- for 6 months- no corn or potatoes (they would prefer never), but I see folks suggest eating that as your second stage food on here all the time. I could only have clear liquids, i.e. Jello and broth my first week; many others have protein shakes. It's all different. You have to research your surgeon and be comfortable with their program. I did and I am extremely happy with my choice. My doctor doesn't want me to drink my calories- they want us getting used to chewing real food and get in the habit of chewing-eating real food- tiny amounts as soon as possible. That makes sense to me. AndI feel AMAZING!

[oncebanded]

My Dr. - Dr. Hamilton KC BARIATRIC in Lenexa Kansas, is also a surgeon at a "center of excellence" And we have a 1-2 week pre-op diet, depending on how much they think you need to shrink your liver to have better access to your stomach and then 1 week of clear, moving to pureed etc through 4-6 weeks post op. No sugar, low calorie.... No red meat for 6 months, Protein first, limit starches, drink water... etc etc.
I know from my experience, I couldn't have eaten real food 1 week post op, I could barely drink enough. But I am glad some people can and get the option to do so.

[sunnygirl_28734]

I was on 2 wk. pre-op liquid diet (water, broth, protein shakes, SF jello, popsicles). 8 days liquid diet post op; then pureed/soft. Day 14 my surgeon (Mercy Medical/New England Surgical Group) said I could try "real" food- and so far as long as I chew chew chew I have been okay with everything except hard boiled eggs, which I LOVE and I think I eat too fast....and I believe I've become lactose intolerant. Cereal w/milk was a no-no two days in a row last week.

[oncebanded]

Yup! I too can no longer do dairy.

[SeasonsChange]

I would say most have to have surgery in a "Center of Excellence" in order for insurance to cover it. At least that's what BCBS told me. We all have so many different pre-op/post-op instructions. I just follow mine..