Question:
I want to know more about what to expect, ie: pain, what do you eat post op, etc

I want to know what others think of the pain level, and more information about what you eat after surgery, do you stay on liquid diets for long periods of time?    — Linda G. (posted on February 21, 2004)

February 21, 2004
My docs' plan is probably the most rigid I've seen to start. 4 weeks clear liquids! However, long term, I eat what I want, but no milk and no sugar. I do not graze, but still have 4 small meals. I don't diet, count calories, fat or even carbs. Only sugars out, protein supplement in.
   — vitalady

February 21, 2004
I had a Lap RNY, and I didn't have too much pain, I remember thinking after I woke up after surgery, just feeling sore, like I had been punched in the stomach. I would describe it as more uncomfortable than painful. I am normally a real whimp when it comes to pain, so I was really surprised that it wasn't a lot more painful. <br><br> As for what you eat after surgery, every doctor has a different plan, and you should talk to yours, I was on full liquids (Protein shakes) for 2 weeks, then moved up to soft foods (eggs, mashed potatoes, refied beans, cheese, yogurt) for weeks 2 to 4. At 4 weeks more foods were added like fish, shrimp, shaved deli meats like ham and turkey. at 6 weeks I was given the green light to eat almost anything as long as it's sugar free and low fat.
   — Patricia T.

February 21, 2004
My surgery was very painful.I had a lot of muscular pain and spasming.I was only required to be on liquids for a week then pureed.
   — jennifer A.

February 21, 2004
I am 22 days post op and my pain was (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being worse) A 2 at best. I had more pain from sleeping in the hospital bed than from my surgery. The NG tube was a bit uncomfortable the first day because it had rubbed my nose sore. Otherwise I was great and dc'ed the pain meds on day two. Thats when they remove the tube from my nose and I got to drink. I was on clear liquids for 1 week, full liquids a week, then moved up each week to more dense foods. Biggest thing to remember... drink drink like no tomorrow and chew chew and chew some more. Good luck and enjoy the ride! 350/317 RNY lap.
   — Vitabella

February 21, 2004
Every surgeon uses his/her own plan for post-operative eating. Our surgeon uses a 1 week clear liquid, 1 week fuller liquids, 1 week pureed, 1 week soft foods with high protein, lower fiber foods being introduced gradually (with more "normal" foods introduced one at a time thereafter). As for pain, I have numerous surgeries in my rather clumsy life. Arthroscopic knee surgeries were much more painful than the lap gastric bypass. I only needed pain medication for about 48 hours after surgery and didn't need any pain relief at all as soon as I returned home. Certainly, there is discomfort and some soreness, but I didn't experience sharp or burning pain.
   — SteveColarossi

February 21, 2004
Hi.... As everyone has said, all surgeons follow different protocols. Mine says: 4 weeks liquids(can have yogurt, s/f pudding, jello), 4 weeks soft (fish, cooked veggies, potatoes, oatmeal), then gradually add other foods. Also to have protein shakes: initially 3 per day, then 2, then phase out. For me, they had to do a little more cutting, since they discovered a mass on my small bowel, which turned out to be pancreatic tissue(better than the tumor they initially thought). Because of that, I had a GTube for drainage in addition to the JP drain. If it weren't for that, I don't think I would have had much pain meds. Most of my pain was from that tube pulling..otherwise, just felt like I did too many situps. I had no pain meds, not even tylenol since day 2. I was back to work after one week...GTube and all. Tanya RNY-LAP 1/5/04
   — Tanya C.

February 22, 2004
I'm 18 days out (Lap RNY). I didn't experience pain, just discomfort, kind of like being hit in the stomach. In fact, I didn't have any pain meds in the hospital. However, after I got out I took liquid Lortab at night to help me sleep as I still had a drain in my left side. By the time the drain came out, a week later, it was starting to feel like a steak knife in my side. As for food and water...start out with 48 ozs. of water per day and I'm supposed to work my way up to 64+ ozs. I was to also begin my protein supplements on the first day out and I'm still working on that one, as I haven't yet found one I like. I was on clear liquids for about a week, and now I'm in the soft phase. In weeks 3-4 I can start working in soft meat (ground beef, fish, but no hard meats like steak, pork, etc.). After week 6, I should be able to eat whatever I'm comfortable with. We went out to eat last night for the first time since surgery, and then we went to see a play. It felt great to have a "date night". I had French onion soup, I avoided the bread and concentrated on the broth and cheese, it was yummy! Just remember that every Dr. is different in their post-op plan, and there probably is no one right way to go about it. Good luck!
   — Le P.

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