Solids at Two Weeks

I went for my six week checkup today, and while I was there I asked my surgeon about his rec that I start eating solids at two weeks.  (I added some solids and did fine, had shrimp at two weeks and handled it well, but I still eat more yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. than solids.)

He likes his sleeve patients to start solids early because he believes that solids are more satisfying, they make you feel full longer, and people ultimately lose weight faster.  Before I brought this up, he had already asked me was I staying satisfied for 3 hours or more after eating.  I said it depended on what I ate, that when I ate something dense, I did.  I told him that I am staying consistently at 600-800 calories, with 60-80 grams of protein.

He said, "But you're satisfied, you don't feel the need to graze all day?"

And I said that if I had yogurt for breakfast, or something else light, I might want something sooner, so it all depended on what I was eating.  But even on those days when I graze I only eat good foods, and stay within my calories and protein requirements.

He didn't necessarily have a problem with that if it works for me.  But as we continued to discuss it, and his belief in starting solids early, it's clear that his preference is for patients to eat "meals" of solid/real food and learn to be satisfied with small amounts, learn that we ARE satisfied with small amounts so we can stop eating two years from now when the honeymoon is over. 

This is actually something I've been pondering, since my habit of grazing on some days feels too similar to how I gained weight--eating all day long, sometimes.

So I'm going to shift to more normal meals for a bit (my upcoming trip is a good time to do that).  Still sticking to the same caloric and protein goals, but depending less on yogurt (which doesn't stick with me long) and more on meat.  I am most definitely a carnivore.

I know his approach is atypical, but I just thought I'd share, for that very reason.

Though my surgery isn't until next week, I was in with my surgeon and his team today. Had my post op dietary education class, and they are moving us to solid foods at week 3. I thought this seemed a little early, but maybe that's the direction some doctors are going. I know he's pretty young and considered a "progressive" doctor and his timelines for things are much shorter than the doctor who ran the program when I started (immediate activity vs. down for 2 weeks, driving as soon as off pain meds vs. no driving for at least 3 weeks, back to work in 4 weeks vs. 8 to 12 minimum).

I was quite flabbergasted when he told me that I could start solids that day at my first post-op appt.  What i discovered is that when I ate them, I had no problems.  In fact, it was really good that I had shrimp the night I did.  We were on our way to a party and I had assumed that there would be something there I could nibble on if I wanted to.  I mean, cheese cubes, at least!

And there wasn't.  Well, correction.  Since I was released to eat solids, I could have, but the selections were all too starchy, so I just drank my bottle of water and that was that.  I was satisfied all evening.

I know that this goes against the norm for most doctors.  All I can say is that it works for me, and I'm going to start pushing the solids more, because I have been aware that yogurts and such weren't holding me.

I'm only a little over one week out but my doctor has me starting solids on day 15 post op. I see some people on here talking about the mushy stage but I don't have that. My doctor's plan is clear liquids day 1-3 then a full liquid diet day 4-15. After that it's everything but red meat for a while. 

I was on clear in the hospital, full at home, and at the first visit he released me to solids, which he said included ground meat--hamburger, turkey, chicken, etc. 

My doctor is the same way! I was shocked originally bc my cousin had RNY last summer and it was forever until she could start solids. He wants us starting solids on day 15. I will be ecstatic when I can finally get out of this creamy soup stage!

I believe the standards are evolving. More surgeons are abandoning the preop liquid diet and I hope more will consider letting people move into solids earlier than six weeks as tolerated. I was ready for string cheese etc at three weeks but the doctor's office pulled me back. IMO the mushy stage is carby and useless if you're not having issues.