After surgery food

[Jules65]

I have not had any surgery yet and can only hope and pray at this point that in the future I will...I just had a question.

I know that some of you were on special diets prior to and after your surgery. Does everything you consume (mostly after) have to be like the foods offered in the store? Or can one make food that still meets prescribed nutritional recommendations ?

I know it is getting cart ahead of the horse but I am just one of those people that thinks of a million questions when I cant get on here to ask them.

 

[Jules65]

I think that the pre-op diet is probably more about avoiding eating crap that it is about what is exactly on your menu. But I hope somebody who actually is doing the pre-op diet will jump in here and tell you. You can't buy the pre-op diet at a store. If it is similar to the post-op diet, it is composed of items with high protein content, including lean meats, cheeses and protein shakes. You cook your own food for the most part. But portion control is critical.

Fat and sugar are the two things that you would most want to avoid. Curiously enough, people who stop consuming fat or sugar will start losing weight. Sometimes they lose a lot of weight. It's the same with people who stop eating bread.

But I think the pre-op diet is designed to prepare you for the post-op diet. In the post-op diet you have phases that are tailored to your healing process. You begin with clear liquids for a week or two or even three, then move on to full liquids, then pureed food, then semi-soft food and then regular food, more or less. It's kind of complicated and it's hard for people to follow sometimes, especially if they are immediately post-op.

One thing you should start doing if you don't already do it is drinking water. I drink 2 to 3 liters of water a day. I am actually really lucky because I love water. I buy it in the big containers at the store and keep it in my refrigerator, then fill smaller bottles with it so I can always have a bottle of water in my purse or my backpack or my shopping bag or my car at any time and I always have at least one bottle of water next to my bed.

But most people have a hard time getting the amount of water they're supposed to have in a day. I would try for the government recommended amount of 8 glasses per day and see how far I got. That's really not a lot of water. But if you can manage it, I think you're doing good.

Who can tell Jules more about this then I can? Speak up, pre-op people.

Thanks so much for that info...it was a lot. I appreciate you for taking the time to pass what you've learned along. I suppose its "each one ... teach one" Hopefully at some point I will have something worth passing along.

I sent my GI nurse practitioner a message when I got home from work today requesting an appointment to come in and discuss my recent test procedure results and see what she thinks. I told her that when I told the doctor who performed my recent EGD and motility test that I wasn't interested I fundiplication but in roux en y procedure. I asked him if he thought that would alleviate the serious gi issues as well as some of my other conditions and he said he was pretty sure it would. So now I wait until next week for a response. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Jules65]

Of course you know you can choose a gastric sleeve or a newer procedure that is getting a lot of reviews, the duodenal switch.

If I were doing it today I would give serious consideration to the duodenal switch, although it's probably a lot more surgery than I needed, considering I didn't have any obesity-related disease to speak of. I was pre-diabetic and had high blood pressure but other than that, I was just sick of carrying all that weight and yeah, I had bad knees.

I think what makes the DS most exciting is its amazing results at curing diabetes. You can't use the word cure unless you you can truly eradicate all traces of a disease. But it scares me because they take so much intestine. Actually they don't take the intestine; they just block it off. Here's what Columbia University has to say about that:

"Duodenal switch results in the greatest, most reliable and longest lasting weight loss of all the weight loss procedures. Since this operation induces a state of decreased absorption, patients will likely experience more frequent and looser bowel movements, increased flatulence, and need to be very closely monitored for vitamin, mineral and protein levels."

DS is also recommended for sleeve patients who have had little success losing weight. The sleeve is already in place so the intestinal portion is done in addition. Like Columbia University says:

"It may also be used as a revision operation for sleeve patients who have not lost enough weight or who regain significant weight. In such cases the intestinal bypass is added beyond the sleeve rather than dividing the sleeve and converting it to a gastric bypass."

All that being said, I cannot complain about my roux-en-y surgery. It remains the gold standard of bariatric surgery. I would prefer it any day of the week to the sleeve and would probably be too scared to try the duodenal switch.

Also, it's important to note that not that many surgeons are conversant in performing the duodenal switch surgery yet. It's too new and too complicated. It has to be performed in two stages over a period of 9 to 12 months, unless the patient already has a gastric sleeve.

It does show promise though, and I am going to be alert for any new research that comes through about it.

I have a friend who had the DS done in December. Two days after surgery she was off all her diabetes meds. Shes loss over 100 pounds. She is so happy she had it done.

 

[Redy2go]

My brother has the DS around 2005. He lost significant weight but remained on his diabetic meds. Had to stay close to the bathroom from side effects. Good for him for the most part but not for me.

 

[Jules65]

My brother has the DS around 2005. He lost significant weight but remained on his diabetic meds. Had to stay close to the bathroom from side effects. Good for him for the most part but not for me.

Sorry your brother has had a difficult time. Even though the possible risks and problems left to deal with in the after surgery time.. I guess most people hope that we will have a good experience. My friend has also had some bathroom issues as well and at least at this point she says she does not regret her decision.

 

[honeysgirl]

I'm having the bypass August 5th. It seems like the pre-op is different for depending on the doctor.
My program calls for lean meats/protein (4oz.), 4 oz. of skim milk, 2 oz. of fruit for breakfast, snack- 1 oz. nuts and 4 oz. fruit, lunch and dinner are
4 oz. protein, 2 cups salad or non starchy vegetable, 1 tablespoon healthy fat , there is a midday snack too of 6-8 oz of yogurt and 2 oz. fruit.
I don't eat yogurt so they said I can do milk instead and that I can add a sugar free chocolate mix since I don't really like milk either ( yep, I am picky).
Now I do have to stop the fruit 3-5 days before the surgery.
I sure hope being picky will not be my downfall. I have tried to eat yogurt several times in the past week but I just can't get it down.
It looks like some people have to do a lot of protein drinks for their pre-op, so I don't know if that is because of surgeon preference or weight.
I have about 80 lbs to lose but my surgery is mostly about my gastroparesis and diabetes. More than likely my diabetes will not completely go away. I have had diabetes a long time and I have very strong genetic genes for it. I just hope to feel better because the gastroparesis is awful and if I can cut my meds down then than would be fantastic.
Good luck to you.

 

[Jules65]

I'm having the bypass August 5th. It seems like the pre-op is different for depending on the doctor.
My program calls for lean meats/protein (4oz.), 4 oz. of skim milk, 2 oz. of fruit for breakfast, snack- 1 oz. nuts and 4 oz. fruit, lunch and dinner are
4 oz. protein, 2 cups salad or non starchy vegetable, 1 tablespoon healthy fat , there is a midday snack too of 6-8 oz of yogurt and 2 oz. fruit.
I don't eat yogurt so they said I can do milk instead and that I can add a sugar free chocolate mix since I don't really like milk either ( yep, I am picky).
Now I do have to stop the fruit 3-5 days before the surgery.
I sure hope being picky will not be my downfall. I have tried to eat yogurt several times in the past week but I just can't get it down.
It looks like some people have to do a lot of protein drinks for their pre-op, so I don't know if that is because of surgeon preference or weight.
I have about 80 lbs to lose but my surgery is mostly about my gastroparesis and diabetes. More than likely my diabetes will not completely go away. I have had diabetes a long time and I have very strong genetic genes for it. I just hope to feel better because the gastroparesis is awful and if I can cut my meds down then than would be fantastic.
Good luck to you.

Well I'm in pain most of the time from severe GERD and knee pain, I'm getting more and more willing to do whatever it takes. I have so much I want to do with my kids and grandbabies. Thank you so much for your support.

 

[Jules65]

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Well I'm in pain most of the time from severe GERD and knee pain, I'm getting more and more willing to do whatever it takes. I have so much I want to do with my kids and grandbabies. Thank you so much for your support.

I forgot to say, safe travels with your upcoming surgery. I dont know if you believe in God, but I will be praying for you and a safe and quick recovery.

 

[Redy2go]

Well I'm in pain most of the time from severe GERD and knee pain, I'm getting more and more willing to do whatever it takes. I have so much I want to do with my kids and grandbabies. Thank you so much for your support.

Hi Jules
I have knee pain as well. I have a 4% lidocaine cream prescribed by my doctor. It's called ancecream. Great stuff and really helps my right knee pain for 2-4 hours depending on how much I am on my feet. Last all night while sleeping. Maybe try it.

 

[honeysgirl]

Honey, you are adorable. You always have something wonderful to say to people. Thank you for sharing your menu with us, and don't worry. You are not too picky.

You always can substitute something else for something you don't like. You won't die and you won't get fat. If you don't like one protein, get another. If you don't like one vegetable try another. If you don't like one fruit there are plenty of others hanging from the tree.

Protein shakes are sort of controversial. If you do an internet search for protein shakes, you will read all sorts of opinions about why they're bad for you and why they're good for you. My advice is Don't Force anything down your throat that you don't I want to eat. Some people I love protein shakes and do very well with them. Others we could go crazy with them and end up gaining weight. Stick with what you know. Just eat less then you ate before.

And if you cook and bake routinely, just wait until you start making your own confections with the good food that you are going to be eating.

We are getting very excited for you!

thank you Diane. I am hoping to learn to like more vegetables in this process. My mom had 5 kids and she said it was not worth ordeal to fight with us to get us to eat our veggies. She did always have a lot of fruit for us to eat though.

 

[Ann Elizabeth Mahony 69]

I'm having the bypass August 5th. It seems like the pre-op is different for depending on the doctor.
My program calls for lean meats/protein (4oz.), 4 oz. of skim milk, 2 oz. of fruit for breakfast, snack- 1 oz. nuts and 4 oz. fruit, lunch and dinner are
4 oz. protein, 2 cups salad or non starchy vegetable, 1 tablespoon healthy fat , there is a midday snack too of 6-8 oz of yogurt and 2 oz. fruit.
I don't eat yogurt so they said I can do milk instead and that I can add a sugar free chocolate mix since I don't really like milk either ( yep, I am picky).
Now I do have to stop the fruit 3-5 days before the surgery.
I sure hope being picky will not be my downfall. I have tried to eat yogurt several times in the past week but I just can't get it down.
It looks like some people have to do a lot of protein drinks for their pre-op, so I don't know if that is because of surgeon preference or weight.
I have about 80 lbs to lose but my surgery is mostly about my gastroparesis and diabetes. More than likely my diabetes will not completely go away. I have had diabetes a long time and I have very strong genetic genes for it. I just hope to feel better because the gastroparesis is awful and if I can cut my meds down then than would be fantastic.
Good luck to you.

Hi HoneysGirl!
I found out, finally, that my bypass is Aug15; a little dismayed as I was hoping for a July surg to fit in my work schedule, but apparently both of our bariatric surgeons here have a booked month.
I was given a similar diet as well beginning 2~3 wks pre-op, not an all liquid diet. I had asked about the all liquid diet, and my NP said that the weight will come off too quickly before surgery so post surgery it will be disappointing (?). Not sure exactly what she meant but I, too, have around 80 lbs to loose. Started at 238 last Sept, and currently at 221.4. I exercise 3 days a week so my muscle tone has increased 18%. My goal is 142, but their goal for me is 135. However my NP added that my surgeon may change the diet closer to my surg date.
I’m glad we share our surgery month together; keep me posted on how you’re doing with the diet- do you start it now?