The worst thing that can happen to someone who likes to cook is to have a surgery that will put them on a clear liquid diet for an extended time. But, that’s what is about to happen to me. I am going to try and post a new recipe everyday for the next 2 weeks until that time.
BTW I have the best hubby in the world. He was a real treasure through the cancer surgery and he’s doing it again as we approach the hiatal hernia surgery. They found a small hiatal hernia prior to my cancer surgery, talked about fixing it during the cancer surgery, but were unable to get it done. Now that they have determined the hiatal hernia to be moderately large, surgery is inevitable. I want off medications! I hate medication, especially when I’m having side effects.
The diet will be the hardest on him, but he says he’ll make mine and then go to McDonalds! Don’t laugh he might.
My diet for 6 weeks will be VERY restricted and I’ve now given up all carbonated drinks AND straws. Yep. you read that right, straws. The doctor says that using a straw is really bad for you.
Love the new surgeon. As of now surgery is scheduled for 6/7. Recovery will be like before except worse on the food level. He says to plan on losing weight – okay by me.
THIS IS WHAT HE WILL BE DOING It is actually quite interesting what they can do. This link has very clear detailed pictures.
I will be in the hospital only a couple days. Had I not previously had open abdominal surgery he said it might have only been outpatient.
Initial Diet
For the first two weeks following hernia surgery, you are on a clear liquid diet. You should avoid solid food, thick liquids, all alcohol and hard candy. A clear liquid diet means that you can have most anything that you can see through and is liquid at room temperature. Options include apple juice, gelatin, water and broth. Usually, you can drink coffee and tea. Keep your intake to no more than 1 cup at a time.
Progression
After two weeks, you can introduce thicker liquids into your meal plan including include milk, yogurt and thinned oatmeal. The rule of thumb is that anything that you can pour is allowed. You can also consume creamed soups, milkshakes and pudding. You can eat ice cream and everything you ate during the first two weeks after your surgery. You must still avoid solid foods as well as gum, hard candy and carbonated beverages. For the first month, you must avoid taking any medication whole, instead crushing pills before you take them.
Solids
From weeks 3 through 6, you remain on a restricted diet, although you can start introducing solid foods to your diet. The UCLA Health System recommends sticking with soft, mushy foods such as applesauce, pasta and rice. You can eat soft fruit like bananas and canned fruit as well as well-cooked soft vegetables. You should avoid sandwiches, hot dogs, baked potatoes, steak and chips.
Lifestyle
After the six-week post-surgical period has passed, you’ll need to avoid foods that can cause heartburn or other symptoms that could aggravate your weakened digestive system. You’ll be most comfortable breaking up your meals into 5 or 6 small portions throughout the day. Stay away from acidic foods such as chocolate, spicy food and citrus fruit. Limit your intake of fatty foods that are fried or baked with fat. Maintain a healthy weight because the additional pressure on your stomach can lead to a recurrence of the condition.
