Eating Normal Foods After...

I have this co-worker that is just 5 days out of surgery, she had the RNY and she is eating regular foods. Is this normal? I am having the lapband and I've been told nothing but liquids for 2wks, most RNY and others have said about the same with their post-op eating. I'm just wondering should she be eating normal foods so early, I mean I can see 3 or 4 wks out but only a few days? She's had a cookie and other foods and her doctor said it was her body to eat...is that normal? I'd hate to see her go through all of this and then fail because she has not understood the meaning of the surgery, that you have take it easy when it comes to eating normal foods after surgery. What are your opinions? I don't mean to Flame on her but I'm concerned because its just too soon. Kelli

I came home on pureed and soft foods. I think every doctor is going to be different. I found a lot of docs that dont make you go home with a drain tube and mine did, also mine didnt require most of the tests that I see others have to have preop. So I guess it is her docs decision to let her eat, she will have to learn what she can and can't eat with it. HTH Steph

Only speaking for myself... I had surgery (RNY) last Tuesday and was told to be on clear liquids for a week, and am now on full-liquids. My follow up appointment is this coming Tuesday and I expect he will clear me for pureed foods for another week or more. I didn't expect to be eating soft food until a month out, and 'regular' food maybe by six weeks out? I can't imagine how she does it and isn't hurting. It hurts to drink sometimes for me right now. I am hungry at times, head-hungry and otherwise, but terribly afraid of hurting something that is still trying to heal in there. Maybe the doctor was being sort of sarcastic. Maybe he did advise her to do the right thing but she said she wanted something, so his response was like it was up to her...which it is. I hope she reconsiders her food choices and gives herself time to heal. Sandy L

Yea, I was a bit shocked. She has already had Salmon, some chicken, and was eating a chicken wrap (lettuce, tomato, cheese, chicken) in low fat wrap...granted it was the whole thing maybe 1/4 but still it was regular food not pureed. She says she eats at least 4 or 5x's and is still hungry. I'm just worried something might happen to her if she doesn'****ch what she eats. It would be sad to have gone through a surgery that is meant to help you learn how to eat...it may mean to sacrafice for a few weeks but it's to allow your stomach to heal. Anyways, I didn't say much to her but that I was going to be on liquids for my two weeks just to follow doctors rules.

Hi Kellie! I am 8 days post and am cleared for regular food. Though I am instructed to chew it until it is pureed or to use a mixer if I can't chew well enough. Today I ate Chicken, peas and corn, a scrambled egg and a 1/2 apple. All these things were chewed to a fine gruel and then swallowed. My doc said this will help to get you in the habit of chewing. That being said I am very very stuffed right now. Should one more bite pass my lips I beleive I would burst. I really love feeling satisfied with so little. Every doctor is different. I trust mine to know what he is doing! Deb

I am 17 days post op and have absolutely no problems with anything. Now, I haven't had a Big Mac, lg. fry and coke or anything, but I am making smart choices and doing fine. I can eat grilled chicken chewed to mush, mashed potatoes, etc. and be full very quickly. The only "bad" thing I had was 1/2 a fish sandwich with very little tarter. We laughed at home that the doc just put a nice scar on me and did nothing because I have no problems at all. My surgery was 1/3 and I am on solids, but low-fat good choices. I am cleared Tuesday (3 weeks) for anything. Lisa