Doctors have different schedules for starting solids....

I'm perplexed by the fact that there's such a difference between surgeons as to when they will let you start eating solid foods. One man I know was told to wait eight weeks. Another lady was on soft solids by two weeks. This is very squirrely. There must be a "right" answer out there!

Angie in Missouri

Every dr is different, I totally trust my dr but I know he does things differently then other drs.  I was on soft foods on day 3, this is what mine looks like.

 

Day 1 Post-op: Nothing by Mouth.

• 2-3 Days Post-op: Progress from Bariatric Surgery Clears (Clear liquids, No concentrated Sweets) to Bariatric Surgery Puree (No concentrated sweets, low fat puree). Try to consume 3-4 oz of fluid for every hour you are awake (not during meal time).

• 3 Days to 3 Weeks Post-op: Home Soft Diet (high protein foods). Try to consume 4-6 oz of fluids every hour. You should be consuming approximately 550-700 calories and 50-70 grams protein.

• 3-6 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 (ie. Cheerios and Chex), boiled chicken in broth (cut up in small pieces), crisp toast and crackers, beans and peas, and lean, moist ground turkey and beef.

You shouldn't be perplexed..... you need to listen to the surgeon who you trusted to cut you open. That would be the "right" answer. Food progression has to do with the healing of the staple line. That shouldn't be messed with.

If that is going to perplex you, than you may be perplexed about the whole process as things can differ from surgeon to surgeon and program to program......

The VSG is "Not" a standardized procedure and you will find there is a "range" on a lot of things.......

Hope this helps....

Edit: I think your asking because you would like to advance on the sooner than later side???? If that's the case, I took the opposite approach. I asked about extending each phase by a week and my surgeon was fine with that.

frisco

Yes, please use the guidelines your doctor gave you.  Every doctors surgery procedure is different so your diet is very important to follow.  I know it sucks to have to read about others moving to the next level of foods while your still stuck on a certain level.  But please listen to your doctor.  He/She knows best.  

Not only is every surgeon different, but so is every patient.  Follow your Drs's orders.  If you find something is not working for you in any way, call them.  You may be able to progress sooner, or it may take you longer.  Don't force anything.  If you find that you are getting in plenty of fluids on full liquid, call and see if you can progress to mushies.  If you are having problems getting in fluids, you may need to stay in that stage longer.

I agree, listen to the doc. But part of it is also that every doctor has their own opinion based on what they know, study, etc. Some has to do with procedure but I think some is just their own preference.  Similar to some doctors putting women on hormones after menopause and some doctors think they are evil. They won't all be the same because they are different people. The two surgeons in my office don't have the same program for getting back on solids either. 

But what Frisco said is right, trust the person who you trusted to cut you open. 

Thanks for the replies, folks!

Angie in Missouri