12 Days Away...

I posted this in the Main Forum as well, but I wanted to get opinions from my fellow weight loss men out there.  Hope double posting doesn't violate some unwritten rule.  If it does, accept my apologies and observe as I thrust my ever expanding butt onto a sword.  Better be  a big sword though.  

I am 12 days out from RNY and I have a few questions.  What kinds of things should I be sure to have at home prior to going in for the surgery?  What are the essentials that you want on hand right when you come home?

Second, any good suggestions / recipes for the pureed part of the diet.  I must say that this first two weeks seems like it will be the most challenging. 

Last thing, how do you find an angel for during / after the surgery?  Really appreciate your help all.

Here's the info I got from my WLS team which you may find helpful. Your doc and nut should provide you with similar info.

Full liquid diet (DAY 2-16 POST WLS: DURATION 10-14 DAYS)

 

Sugar-free or low-sugar full liquid diets often follow the clear liquid phase. Full liquid diets include milk, milk products, milk alternatives, and other liquids that contain solutes.

Full liquid diets have slightly more texture and increased gastric residue compared with clear liquid diets. In addition, the calories and nutrients provided by full liquid diets that include protein supplements can closely approximate the needs of surgical weight loss patients. The liquid texture is thought to further allow healing and the caloric restriction provides energy and protein equivalent to that provided by very-low-calorie diets.

 

Pureed diet (DAY 16-30 POST WLS: DURATION 10-14 DAYS)

 

The bariatric pureed diet consists of foods that have been blended or liquefied with adequate fluid, resulting in foods that range from milkshake to pudding to mash potato consistency. In addition, foods such as scrambled eggs and canned fish (tuna or salmon) can be incorporated into the diet. Fruits and vegetables can be included, although the emphasis of this phase is usually on protein-rich foods. This diet fosters additional tolerance of a gradually progressive increase in gastric residue and gut tolerance of increased solute and fiber. The protein supplements used during the full liquid phase are often continued during the puree phase to complement dietary protein intake.

 

Soft diet (DAY 30-60 POST WLS: DURATION 30 DAYS)

 

The bariatric soft diet provides foods that are texture modified, require minimal chewing, and that will theoretically pass easily from the gastric pouch through the gastrojejunostomy

into the jejunum or through the adjustable gastric band. This diet is considered a transition diet that is achieved by chopping, grinding, mashing, flaking, or pureeing foods. Foods included in the soft diet phase were ground and chopped tender cuts of meats and meat alternatives, soft fresh fruit, soft cooked vegetables, and grains, as tolerated.

 

Pureed diet (DAY 16-30 POST WLS: DURATION 10-14 DAYS)

You will be eating 6 small, liquid and pureed meals and snacks per day. Remember that your new stomach pouch is very small and will not be completely healed. You will not be able to take in enough vitamins and protein from this limited diet, so you will have to take vitamin & mineral supplement every day and add a protein shake every day.

At the beginning you will not be able to consume everything suggested here. As your body adapts, the opposite will occur and you will eat more than you should unless you follow the guide.

The eating plan below gives you an idea of how to develop your diet gradually. Pureed foods should be quite liquid, similar to the consistency of applesauce or baby food. There should be no lumps or stringy pieces in the puree. Use broth or consommé to get the right consistency for pureed meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and starches (see also guidelines to puree). There are 7 rules that you need to follow to minimize problems:

 

• Sip on fluids continuously to help prevent dehydration.
• Take no more than 2 tablespoons over 10-15 minutes. Use a teaspoon to avoid taking too much food at one time.
• Add ½ cup of protein shake twice a day^*.
• Stop eating as soon as you feel full.
• Coffee and tea are not recommended because they have almost no nutritional value and reduce iron absorption if taken with food.
• Some foods listed in the menu below may cause Dumping Syndrome like flavored yogurt or milkshake.
• It is important to crush your pills before taking them.

 
^*You can take 1/2 scoop of WHEY protein isolate (24-28 gr. of protein per scoop) in 1 cup of 1% milk or water.

Pureed food menu - Day 16 to 30 

Each meal should not exceed 3/4 cup total

BREAKFAST	LUNCH	SUPPER
1/2 cup Cream of wheat, pabulum or strained oatmeal	1/2 cup pureed salmon	1/2 cup pureed turkey
1 pureed egg	1/4 cup pureed carrots	1/4 cup pureed peas
A.M. SNACK	P.M. SNACK	EVENING SNACK
1/2 cup protein shake	1/2 cup protein shake	1/2 cup protein shake

By the way, best of luck with your WLS.

Boner

Since Brother Boner has covered your question about your post-op diet allow me to share the Four Mantras of Life Post WLS:

1.  Sip, sip, sip.
2.  Walk, walk, walk.
3.  Any problems - CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!
4.  NEVER, and I mean NEVER trust a fart!! 

Tried and tested words to live by!  Good luck in 12 days and come back and join us.

There is no rule about double posting. If there were I'd have been kicked off a long time ago. The only real rule we got here is that this is the Men's Forum and we try to keep the ladies out of it. Ain't been too successful lately. They out number us.


Good Luck. Soon you'll be on the lighter side of life