Expert: Karla K. - 3/3/2010

Question
Hi Karla,
I had my surgery one week ago today.I feel great and I need to mention I am a kidney cancer survivor with a nephrectomy 6 years ago.I have followed all of the diet to a T. Lots of drinking urine clear ,bowels movements seem to be a little more formed.Although I am a little tired,I'm also 54 years old.Wishing to return to work in 19 days.I have been feeling very hungry and I've had broth,popsicles, jello all sugar free.Would it hurt to introduce a little more substantive food, blended of course or could I cause possible damage. They tested within 24 hours of the surgery and no leaks.I haven't required pain medication for the last 3 days. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Maureen:

Congratulations on doing so well and being a cancer survivor.  The thing about post-op diet instructions is that it seems like every surgeon has a different protocol.  Some do one week of clear liquids... some do longer.  A few do clear liquids only in the hospital.  It sounds like you're doing well, so you could try some purees--maybe a few tablespoons and see how it goes.  I know some surgeons allow watery oatmeal/porridge, egg drop soup, maybe a banana blended in some milk (lactose free to be safe), etc.  Just be careful because as you move to more substantial foods, it becomes easier to let the fluids go.  I'd stick with purees at least another two weeks.

The surgeon who basically invented the gastric sleeve as a stand alone, and did the first lap DS, fellow Canadian Dr. Michel Gagner used to be with Columbia.  They always did clear liquids in the hospital, and then purees on the day of discharge.  I'm pretty confident if in all of their years of experience they didn't see an issue with it, it's probably O.K... but you could always check with your surgeon just to be on the safe side.  It sounds as though since you're having no problems, s/he would probably be O.K. with you moving on to purees anyways.  You can see the Columbia dietary guidelines for sleeve post-ops at http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/cs/pat/obesity/postop_sleeve.html

The risk, albeit small, is that if you had something that wasn't perfectly smooth, it could become lodged within your staple line... thus causing a problem.  The risk of a leak goes down the further you get post-op.  Your greatest risk, of course, is immediately post-op due to an issue with the staple gun, etc.  

Good luck and I wish you great success.
Karla