I know I can have cream of wheat, Greek yogurt......but what do you do when you gag on this stuff?
I desperately need some expertise advise here! Thanks!
I know I can have cream of wheat, Greek yogurt......but what do you do when you gag on this stuff?
I desperately need some expertise advise here! Thanks!
Wow. You shouldn't be on anything but liquids for the first couple of weeks, then only pureed soft items for the next two weeks and then slowly add back items as per your nutritionist diet schedule. Of course you will be gagging on food at this time. I you do not have a diet, I will include ours.
POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS
Congratulations on your new life!! In the next 4-6 weeks, there will be many changes. The staff is here to help you make this transition. Below are your post-op instructions.
*It is very important to walk around after your surgical procedure. This will help clear your lungs and stop blood clots from forming. If you are flying home, it is important to move around in your seat - stretch your legs, shift position, and so on. Try to get out of your seat, and walk to the bathroom, this will keep your circulation moving.
*At this time, liquids are very important. Keep a bottle of water with you, and sip, sip, sip. Gatorade is fine for the first day or two. You may also water down juice. Baby juice is also very good. Sip slowly, do not gulp. Some people will tolerate cold and some may not. It will be your choice. Popsicles, Jell-O, broth, or any clear liquid for the next week. You still need to try to consume 6-8 cups of fluid per day. It will be hard, but try.
*Care of your Incisions: This is very important. Please shower daily. You may wash your incisions with antibacterial soap and water (do not use body wash). Do not use a wash cloth or loofah during your shower. After your shower, blot the area dry with a clean gauze and use an antibacterial spray. We recommend a product called “Wound Wash”. You spray it on after showering and then apply clean gauze. You can do this 3 times a day. Change gauze - Apply Wound Wash - Apply fresh gauze.
DO NOT USE Neosporin, or any petroleum based ointments. These can sometimes trap bacteria under the skin, and also do not let the incision dry out. Let your incision air dry. Do not cover, unless they are draining, or open.
*Stitches: Your stitches are not dissolving; they will need to be removed. You may remove them at 10-12 days. Sometimes when they are removed, you will find the incision will open, do not panic! Keep it clean and dry. We all heal at different rates, this is normal. If your physician is going to remove your stitches, rely on his wisdom to know when it is time. He may choose to remove them at 7-10 days.
IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE A LAP BAND PATIENT, DO NOT REMOVE THE SITICHES OVER THE PORT (THE LONGEST INCISION) FOR 21 DAYS. YOUR PORT IS A FOREIGN OBJECT UNDER THE SKIN, AND WILL TAKE LONGER TO HEAL.
*Lap Band Patients: At approximately 7-10 days, your port area may become red, irritated, and cause some discomfort. You may also notice it bulging. This is normal. At some point, your incision will probably open, and drain a clear, orangish, reddish fluid. It will not have an odor. This is also normal. You do not have an infection. It is a build up of fluid behind the port and it is not being absorbed by your body. It may drain for a day or two, or a week or more. This is normal. Keep the area clean with soap and water and cover with a pad to absorb the drainage. DO NOT REMOVE THE STITCHES WHILE YOU ARE DRAINING.
*Fever: Sometimes after surgery, you may feel hot and sweaty. You may have a fever, but not a temperature. This is normal. Please remember, our temperatures rise in the evening. This is due to having surgery, and is not related to an infection. Please take your temperature to make sure this is what is happening. You are on antibiotics, you should be covered.
*Medications: You will be given any medications the Doctor wants you to take. You should leave with your antibiotics, pain medication, and sometimes other medications, depending on the surgery. Please take all of your medication until gone. You will want to break the antibiotic in half before you take it. DO NOT CRUSH IT, it will make you vomit!!
*General Instructions: Please do not push, pull or lift heavy objects for up to 6 (six) weeks after your surgery. If you need a Doctors note for work, please contact us.
*Exercise: You may start walking as soon as you can. Take it slow, and increase your distance at a comfortable rate. Do not lift weights, run, swim, or any other exercise that will cause pushing, pulling or lifting for 6 weeks. After your incisions are completely healed with no scabbing, you may enter the water (no hot tubs or Jacuzzis for 6 weeks).
*Contact: We enjoy all of our patients. You are members of our family, and we care about your success. If at anytime you have problems, or questions, please call. It is better to call and put you at ease, then to run to the hospital for no reason. Most problems can be solved over the phone. If we feel you need medical attention, we will ask you to go to your own doctor or hospital. We will do whatever needs to be done to make sure all of your needs are met. You are very important to us, and we want this to be a great success for you.
We want to thank you for being a member of our family, and hope you have enjoyed working with us. Remember, we are here for you when ever you may need us. Please call and/or e-mail us and tell us about your progress. Take pictures, and measure yourself, so you can also see the process.
Bariatric Surgery Post-Op Information & Diet
No carbonated beverages or alcohol for 6 weeks.
No heavy lifting or exercise for 6 weeks (walking is fine and encouraged).
No hot tubs or Jacuzzis for 6 weeks.
Wound care: clean daily, gently, using only soap and water, cover with gauze or band aid.
Follow diet as outlined below.
Eat slowly and chew thoroughly- at least 25 times!
Avoid items with large amounts of sugars, especially those in liquid form. They are filled with non-nutrient calories and slow down weight loss.
Remember the stomach can only hold 3-4 oz after surgery. You will probably feel satisfied after 2-3 tablespoons of food. Do Not Over Eat! Over time your stomach will stretch. It takes 6-9 months (possibly longer) for your new stomach size to stabilize and allow you to determine your normal meal amount.
Stop eating when you feel comfortably satisfied. If ignored, vomiting will follow and you can stretch the size of the stomach. If you are unable to keep anything down and are having extreme difficulty staying hydrated, sip on Gatorade which also has electrolytes necessary for normal cell function. Once you feel better, return to non-calorie beverages such as water and flat diet drinks.
Drink at least 6 to 8 cups (8 oz) of fluid per day to prevent dehydration.
Stop drinking liquids 15 minutes before meals and resume 30 - 45 minutes after meals.
Eat 3 small nutrient dense meals + 1 high protein snack a day.
Introduce new foods one at a time in order to rule out any intolerance. If a food is not tolerated, reintroduce it in 1 week.
If you cannot tolerate dairy, substitute Lactaid for milk. You can also try soy milk fortified with calcium and vitamin D.
Add 1 – sub-lingual B12 vitamin a day (available at all local pharmacies over-the-counter).
If you experience heartburn or acid reflux, this will be helped by taking Milk of Magnesia.
Your diet progression should be as follows:
1st Week Post-Op:
The first and second week you will be on a liquid diet. Using a straw is recommended to avoid big gulps that may cause nausea or discomfort.
During the first week, clear liquids are recommended (water, apple, and white grape juices are recommended).
From the fourth day on, natural fruit juices (strained) and gelatin (small chunks, chew and dissolve) can be added if well tolerated.
Have all the clear water that you can in between "meals".
Room temperature liquids during the first week are recommended (slightly cold gelatin is acceptable).
2nd to 3rd Week Post-Op:
On your second week continue with clear liquids and gelatin and add:
Whole natural fruit juice, use synthetic sugar to sweeten (Equal, Nutra-Sweet, Stevia, etc.).
Pear and Apple pure
Soups (broth):
Potato
Tomato
Lentil
Vegetable
Chicken
3rd to 4th Week Post-Op (Home Soft Diet):
Blended meat and poultry (the texture of baby food), soft poached eggs
Canned and/or ****** baby foods that are low in sugar and higher in protein (meat and chicken) are acceptable.
Low fat cottage cheese, sugar free puddings
Unsweetened applesauce, pureed canned peaches (not in syrup), mashed ripe bananas
Blended soft cooked vegetables, or overcooked and mashed with a fork
Oatmeal, grits, farina
Food Suggestions for Home Soft Diet
Food Group Food Choices
Bread, Cereal, Pasta, and Rice: 1-2 serving/s 1= cup
Hot cereal (with skim milk) – unsweetened oatmeal, cream of wheat, and grits
Fruit: 1-2 serving/s 1 = cup
Unsweetened applesauce, pureed canned / ****** peaches and pears in their own juice (not syrup), any fruit pureed without the skin, mashed ripe banana
Vegetable: 1-2 serving/s 1 = cup
Any vegetable (except corn) cooked soft and blended or mashed with the back of a fork. Make sure broccoli and cauliflower are cooked very well.
Meat, Poultry, Fish, Nuts, Beans and Eggs: 2-3 serving/s 1 = cup
Chopped up soft poached eggs or scrambled egg, egg salad with low fat mayo, blended meat, poultry, and flaked fish (fillet) cooked very soft and moist (mix with lemon, light dressing, a pinch of oil), blended tuna salad without vegetables, very soft/moist meatloaf (after one week), gefilte fish, and silken tofu.
Milk, Cheese, and Yogurt: 3-4 serving/s 1 =cup
Skim milk or Skim Plus, low fat or non-fat cottage cheese or ricotta cheese, sugar free custards and puddings, non-fat unsweetened / low sugar yogurt, sugar free frozen yogurt, and sugar free fat free ice cream.
Fats and Oils: Limit all
Miscellaneous:
Canned soups, homemade soups (vegetable, meat, poultry contents should be overcooked or blended) - limit cream soups – Healthy choice, Progresso Lite, and Healthy Request, egg drop soup and Miso soup.
Sugar free Jell-O, sugar free popsicles (Dole, Starburst), Pedialyte popsicles, and sugar-free/fat free ice cream.
Artificial sweeteners which are acceptable: NutraSweet / Equal, Sweet n’ Low/ Saccharine and Splendid/ Sucralose
Liquids: Sip throughout the day but not during meals. Try to drink at least 6 to 8 cups (8 oz) of fluid per day.
Flat diet soda, skim milk or Skim Plus, Crystal Light, decaf coffee and tea, all broths, any sugar free beverages, and water!
4-6 Weeks Post-Op:
All foods previously tolerated, tofu, fish and seafood, thinly sliced deli turkey or ham and other luncheon meats, slices of low fat cheese, unsweetened canned or cooked fruit, potatoes, squash, unsweetened cereal with skim milk or skim plus, boiled chicken in broth (cut up in small pieces), crisp toast and crackers, beans and peas, and lean, moist ground turkey and beef.
6-8 Weeks Post-Op:
Diced poultry (no skin), vegetable burgers, soft cooked vegetables, soft fruits (watermelon, honeydew, peaches, and plums), and well-cooked pasta.
3 Months Post-Op:
Rice, un-toasted bread, lean and moist meat and poultry.
4 Months Post-Op:
Veal, crunchy fruits and vegetables (including salads). Beef and pork can be introduced but poultry and fish are recommended due to lower fat content.
The diet should always be high in protein and low in refined carbohydrates (white flour).
Preferably, choose protein first, then fruits and vegetables, and then whole grains.
STOCK YOUR PANTRY
It is encouraged that you plan ahead and stock your kitchen with foods that will support your nutritional needs after surgery. The following are suggestions to get you started.
DRY GOODS
Whey protein powder
Vitamin/mineral supplements
Natural peanut butter
Almond butter, soy-nut butter
Cocoa powder
Benefiber
Crushed flax seed
LIQUIDS
Herbal teas
Bottled water (non-sparkling)
Crystal Lite
No calorie beverage (non-carbonated)
FRUITS
Sugar free frozen fruit
Sugar free canned fruit
Applesauce
Baby pureed fruits
SOUPS
Low fat cream based soups
Vegetable soups
Lentil soups
Bean soups
Chicken broth
Beef broth
Tomato soup
CANNED FOODS
Beans
Fat free refried beans
Pasta/tomato sauce
Canned fish (salmon, tuna, sardines)
Canned white meat chicken
CEREALS
Oatmeal
Grits
Cream of Wheat
Kashi hot cereal
SPICES / FLAVORINGS / SYRUPS
Any spice or herb to flavor food
Favor extracts: vanilla / orange / mint
True lemon/lime
Torani or DaVinci Gourmet sugar free
flavored syrups
DAIRY
Skim milk
Soy milk (Soy slender, Continent 8)
Cottage cheese
Ricotta cheese
Plain non-fat yogurt
Sugar free non-fat yogurt
Eggs or EggBeaters
Silken Tofu
VEGETABLES
V-8 juice
Canned peas, carrots, beets, squash
Baby pureed vegetables
SUPPLIMENTS
*Protein
*Multi Vitamins
*Iron tablets
*B -12 sublingual tablets
NUTRITION PLAN
Immediately after your surgery it is very important to follow the eating and drinking instructions to allow the procedure you underwent time to heal completely at the surgical site. This has been estimated to take a month or more. It is also important, especially in the first weeks after surgery, not to overeat or swallow large bites of food that have not been chewed extremely well. Problems may occur if these instructions are not strictly followed. When vomiting occurs the stomach may rise up about the band placement causing slippage of the band requiring re-operation.
NUTRITION PLAN
Your nutrition plan is divided into four (4) phases – each phase allowing you to adjust to your new gastric pouch.
THE FIRST FEW DAYS AFTER SURGERY:
The day after the operation you will begin taking in fluids, but only drink a small amount at a time. Besides water, you should also choose liquids that have an adequate number of calories. To prevent nausea and vomiting, do not drink too much at any one time.
Clear liquids only (liquids you can see through). These include broth, Jell-O, juices (apple, cranberry, and white grape), tea or popsicles. SEE ATTACHED CLEAR LIQUID DIET for more details.
I hope this helps. Please take care of yourself and don't push this hard. I am an R.N. in the Emergency Room and see leaks and ruptures almost every month by people trying to push food way too early. This is a very different life and it is not easy to follow, but you must stick to a very specific post sleeve diet plan. The above plan is a safe plan. If I can be of further assistance, please call out for help before you end up back in the hospital with a leak or rupture or a stretched out pouch.
I had "full" liquids a few days out- thinned cream of wheat, yogurt, creamy soups, pudding, jello- all sugar free, of course. Every doctor seems to have different instructions for the post op diet, follow whatever your doctor advises. I was so sick of sweet stuff and I loved cream soups with all solids strained out. I also had a lot of Unjury unflavored protien powder in soups and broth and chicken soup flavored Unjury. Keep experimenting and you will find stuff that works for you. The first weeks can be challenging.
Do not overeat, eat slowly, sip, walk and stay in soft foods.. do not wander trying stuff that will not settle in your new tummy. You are still healing and learning to deal with the new you. Great advice from Dennis. Good luck!
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