Surgery in 10 days

megslc21

Hi all-glad I found this group. I am having VSG in 10 days and would love to hear any tips for pre-op and post-op, especially the puréed and soft food stages. Also how long it takes most people to be able to get back to gym.

I am in a 2 week 1000 cal or less diet for pre-op. My surgeon does not require liquid for pre-op just calorie management.

Excited and nervous at the same time-ready to get this done! Hoping to find some people in the same or close to same stage as I am to talk to, as well as those that have been through it.

Trailtramper74

Hi there and welcome! I am one week post op. I am glad you don’t have to do the liquid diet. I will think of my top tips and post them later today or tomorrow. Still in recovery and neee a nap. Lol.

loveshoe

Hello, I'm not remembering much about how I got through the pureed and soft stage other than I knew it was a short-term situation. I ate a lot of yogurt, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese (blended), mashed bananas, pureed squash, instant mashed potatoes made with cream of chicken soup (I needed flavor), and refried beans. Don't rush any of the food stages. The stages are designed to give your stomach time to heal and just because you can eat it doesn't mean you should.

The best tips I can give you is to only introduce one new food at a time. If you do that and a food disagrees with you then you'll know exactly which food it was. Chew everything even the stuff that doesn't need chewing. Use a timer and wait a full minute between bites. Eat no more per bite than you would feed a baby just learning how to eat. Even though your diet will be pureed foods still get into the habit of not drinking before and after.

If you don't have food scales get a pair. Food scales will be your Best Friend Forever. I still use mine to weigh my food. A couple of extra spoonfuls can impact your weight loss and put unneeded pressure on your new stomach. I never had problems with throwing up and I believe it was because I really stuck to the portion size recommended by my dietitian.

Take it one meal at a time, if something seems wrong contact your doctor's office. They want you to call them so they can help you. I had no complications but everyone is different. I did follow all the rules they gave me.

ruqayyahsmum

At the puree stage I was having half a baby jar thinned with gravy or smooth soups watered down with a bit of milk along with petit fill us yogurts thinned with milk

Soft food faves were things like cottage pie or fish pie mashed up

We were told each bite should be about the size of a pencil top eraser and make sure you go slowly so you recognise the satisfied feeling before it becomes the full feeling and definitely before the over full vomiting it back feeling

jcavanna2

Also, consider pre-making foods you can eat for the puréed stage and putting them in the freezer so you don’t have to worry about what to cook.

I like the ricotta bake from The World According To Eggface and made several soups from Skinnytaste which I puréed. Bariatric Eating has a great vanilla custard as well, and Bariatric Foodie has a taco casserole which also was very good.

Invest in a bottle of chewable papaya enzyme which you get at Target or Wal-Mart. Helped me with the times I ate too quickly and felt like I would throw up. Focus on hydrating more than food - my surgeon said that while you do need to eat if you don’t feel like it then just make sure you are staying hydrated. Also walk as much as you can

Lizakabibbis

Pretty much agree with everything @jcavanna2 mentioned. I was in the gym but only walking on the treadmill a week and a half after surgery. I didn't start lifting weights until about 6 weeks out.

DawnCumm

Appreciate reading all the advice. My surgery is on Dec 19th and still trying to figure out how to get through the first few stages of fluids/purees. Thanks!

loveshoe

DawnCumm, the time goes incredibly fast. I think there's some relief that the surgery is past and the excitement that weight loss has truly started that makes the days pass very quickly. Prior to surgery the anxiety and nervousness that comes with a new adventure kept me on track. I also read several bariatric books during my 10-day liquid pre-surgery fast. I'd tell you good luck but it has nothing to do with luck it's all skill based. You'll do great because you're asking questions and getting prepared.

lporter0813

Don't over buy for the pureed stage....I am 2 months out from VSG and I still have a ton of jello, pudding, soups. I was able to exercise after my 6 week checkup. I am going to the gym twice a week now and enjoying my alone-time, getting my body in shape. It's still work and so is the vsg diet. I track, track, track....even exercise. Helps me so much. Good luck on surgery day and take it easy afterwards.