Question:
Doc says its ok to eat solids at 3 weeks...what are the real dangers?
Im postop now but I wanted to share what my experience has been regarding a postop diet. My doctor told me liquids for 1 week, soft foods 2nd week and that I could start experimenting with solids on the 3rd week. I did so and had no problem at all. Ive heard talk of people being on liquid diets for months at a time and wondered why. Sure the stomach is healing and one shouldnt overeat for fear of breaking the staple line but if one is careful why cant solids be eaten sooner? Why would one doctor say its ok (hes a very qualified and experienced doctor) while others are more cautious? Surely my doctor has not had any patients develop problems or else he would not recommend eating solids so soon. He has performed hundreds of surgeries. Im referring to the proximal RNY, I dont know if theres a difference in diet for each type. My stomach doesnt seem to have stretched because I still can only eat very little unless eating soft foods or liquids. — [Anonymous] (posted on March 27, 2000)
March 26, 2000
It all really depends on your surgeon..Some say 8 weeks, some say 6 weeks
and even like yours told you 3-4 weeks.. I have not got an answer from
other surgeons as to why the wide range in diet protocol, other than my
surgeon saying the 8 week wait in starting regular foods will give the
new anatomy time to heal properly and ward off ulcer development early
on, and he just may be right, I have not had any problem with regular
food, (no reflux, acid stomach, vomiting, nausea or pain) I can eat
anything (smaller portion of course). I don't crave sweets ;-)so I
don't have to worry about the dumping.. Follow with what your surgeon
told you though, he/she knows your situation better than anyone...
— Victoria B.
March 27, 2000
Good question! There certainly are many variables to this.
I had the BPD/DS on a Wednesday, and was eating regular food
four days later (roast chicken and mashed potatos w/gravy). My
surgeon said there were no food restrictions - I was told
to eat whatever I felt comfortable with. I've heard of other
procedures having food limitations (such as no nuts and seeds, etc.)
but that is not the case with the DS, and while some DS surgeons
recommend soft foods for the first couple of weeks, mine placed
no such limitations on me. I don't know why there are so many
different policies for what is essentially the same thing.
Perhaps it's based on that surgeon's personal experience, or
they're following the guidelines of another surgeon... quien sabe?
The best thing to do, of course, is
to follow the recommendations of your surgeon for your
particular surgery. Good luck!
— Kim H.
March 27, 2000
I also started regular/soft foods at week 3. I have had no problems
(except when I eat too fast - then the only comfortable thing to do is make
yourself dump). Each doc has their own protocol. I don't think I could
have lasted any longer on liquids or purees.
— Toni B.
March 27, 2000
I too, began solids at 3 weeks. I did liquids until 5 days, then soft
foods until 2 weeks... which included string cheese by the way. I had no
problem with it whatsoever. After 4 weeks, I added hamburger and started
some raw veggies. At 6 weeks I can eat just about anything. As for the
difference in protocol, my doctor used to do NG tubes on everybody, but now
they don't on all because they find that it isn't necessary. With food, I
think that many surgeons have not seen a problem introducing
"real" food earlier. I have had no problems at all and the other
2 surgeon's in our state likewise start regular food at 3 weeks.
— Shar /.
March 27, 2000
My Dr. requests clear liquids (+ protien shakes) for 5-6 weeks post-op. I
understand that he does this because the time period helps you resocialize
with your relationship with food. It's like going "cold-turkey"
from smoking. I've gone through a food-mourning experience, and am stronger
then ever. I see the Dr. again tomorrow at which point he'll prob. take me
off clear liquids and put me on "mushy foods". I'm sooo looking
forward to mashed potatoes.
— Brenda S.
March 27, 2000
Hi I just read your question and it's so funny because I was getting to ask
the same exact thing. I'm also 3 weeks post op and my doctor also told me
to experiment with solid foods. I was a little worried because most people
on this sight have had to wait atleast 6 to 8 weeks for solids. I was on
liquids for about 11 days then on a soft food diet for about 5 days and now
I'm on solids. I have eaten various foods and so far I haven't had a
problem. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that was worried about this.
Thanks for asking the question. Good luck to you.
— Nicole B.
March 27, 2000
I have to echo the others - it all depends on your surgery. I will be
eating solid foods before being discharged from the hospital.
— [Deactivated Member]
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