Does anyone have a pre and post Gastric Bypass diet outlined?

[Tori DeLuca]

Does anyone have a pre and post Gastric Bypass diet outlined? I was curious as to that diet pre and post Gastric bypass surgery was and the timelines. Like Do you start the pre GB diet 8 weeks or 12 weeks prior etc etc. You are on a liquid diet post surgery for how long...and what KIND of liquids etc... Any info will be appreciated
Can someone help give me an idea?

[Miss Vickie]

Well, every surgeon is different, and some are way stricter than others; my surgeon wasn't really strict at all. I wasn't put on a diet at all pre-surgery, but many people are because a pre-surgery weight loss is supposed to reduce the size of the liver, making the surgery easier. Since my surgery was done open, not laparoscopically, my surgeon didn't feel it was necessary.

After the fact, I was on clears while in the hospital (which was four days) and full liquids (anything you could suck through a straw) until I saw him a week after discharge (which was something like 10 or 11 days postop). At that time I was craving tuna big time so he told me I could start trying soft foods -- tuna with lots of mayo and shredded finely with a fork, refried beans, soft eggs, soups with "chunks", stuff like that -- going slowly with each addition. I did really well and had no problems at all and was subsequently able to start eating "real" foods soon after. I just started adding harder, dryer foods into my diet, one at a time. Occasionally I'm surprised -- I got nauseous last week from pork -- but I still seem to have a cast iron stomach. :)

[Tori DeLuca]

Well, every surgeon is different, and some are way stricter than others; my surgeon wasn't really strict at all. I wasn't put on a diet at all pre-surgery, but many people are because a pre-surgery weight loss is supposed to reduce the size of the liver, making the surgery easier. Since my surgery was done open, not laparoscopically, my surgeon didn't feel it was necessary.

After the fact, I was on clears while in the hospital (which was four days) and full liquids (anything you could suck through a straw) until I saw him a week after discharge (which was something like 10 or 11 days postop). At that time I was craving tuna big time so he told me I could start trying soft foods -- tuna with lots of mayo and shredded finely with a fork, refried beans, soft eggs, soups with "chunks", stuff like that -- going slowly with each addition. I did really well and had no problems at all and was subsequently able to start eating "real" foods soon after. I just started adding harder, dryer foods into my diet, one at a time. Occasionally I'm surprised -- I got nauseous last week from pork -- but I still seem to have a cast iron stomach. :)

Wow that sounds relatively simple enough...just trial and error?

[Miss Vickie]

Wow that sounds relatively simple enough...just trial and error?

Well yeah, I guess it is trial and error after the first few weeks. But keep in mind that my surgeon is an older guy who has a very mellow attitude about things. Many surgeons are much more specific about what's allowed when. Also, it occurred to me that I didn't talk about my maintenance meals.

Basically once I was on solids, I need to just be sure that every meal I eat is high in protein, and the more solid foods the better; liquids and semi-solids go right through the stoma at the bottom of my stomach and so don't fill me up. Each meal has animal protein as its emphasis, most of the time, because chunky things like meat stay in my stomach longer. He also says that I can't linger over meals, I'm not supposed to graze, and I shouldn't drink ANYTHING with meals. That's the one I have trouble with. I do confess that I drink with meals, and that's probably in part why my weight has settled at 180 as my lowest. But while I tried and tried, it was just not something I could do. I try not to drink much with meals, but I end up drinking something, usually a few sips of water or, if I'm feeling rebellious, some Diet Coke, which is a no-no according to most surgeons.

Anyhow, this is just how my surgeon and I have worked things out. Every surgeon is different, and obviously every patient is different as well. I'd be interested in hearing what other people's docs have to say.

[Shosh]

My lowest weight has also settled at 180 pounds Vickie. That is what I am now, and I am happy with that. I do not want to weigh any less than 180, and I think I can maintain that.