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Clear Liquids - First Post-op Eating Stage
You are home from the hospital and resting uncomfortably on the sofa. All the notes you took as a pre-op are written in Greek, and you don't remember what to do. What you may have heard from or about other patients may not be the same for you. To be successful in maintaining weight loss, you'll have to commit to new eating habits. You'll also want to follow any guidelines that your physician may provide. This information is not intended to replace that which your center has given you but to clarify and give you some practical ideas. Remember though that we have been there and have lived it.
In the first stage after surgery patients should drink clear liquids; defined as liquids that one can see through. Doctors require anywhere from a few days up to even two weeks of clear fluids after surgery to minimize need for digestion, and lessen production of solid waste; allowing your gastrointestinal system to hear. Liquids should be sipped slowly as gulping can cause pain. Do not use a straw as it can trap air in the stomach pouch and this trapped gas can be very uncomfortable.
Immediately after surgery, you must drink enough fluids to keep hydrated. There are a small percentage of post ops who are re-hospitalized because of dehydration, so it is important to sip fluids constantly throughout the day.
Warm drinks such as herbal tea or broth are soothing and relax the stomach or pouch. Clear proteins such as Pure can be blended with Crystal Light or broth and will help your body to heal. Inspire also makes Bone Broth & a Chicken Soup that are fortified with protein but meet the guidelines as a clear drink.
Everything will taste too sweet - use more water or add crushed ice to dilute it to your taste. Very little, if anything will taste good at this point and you will not necessarily be happy with your choices. Focus on your exciting new future, drink your liquids, and pull yourself through this difficult initial period.
Your choices are purposely very limited - hang on and do not progress to the next stage until you are told to.
Best choices for clear liquids:
- Water
- Crystal Light or Mio - use 2 to 3 times as much water as they will taste much too sweet
- Sugar-free Jell-O
- Non- carbonated, sugar-free, zero calorie fruit waters
- Diet Snapple Apple Cranberry
- Diet Ocean Spray Cranberry - Cran Pom - Cran Grape - Cran Cherry
- Warm herbal tea, Celestial Seasonings flavors are soothing
- Broth or Bouillon, chicken or beef
- Sugar Free Popsicles - this does not mean 'no sugar added' fruit bars or fudge pops, it means 'sugar free'.
