Post-surgery diet schedule

Step 1 (Aug. 24-25): First 24 hrs. after surgery-- clear liquids and walk every hour

Bring on the sugar-free jello, water, sugar-free popsicles, crystal light, diet V-8 Splash.

Step 2 (Aug 26-Sept 8): Two weeks of clear liquids--64 oz. a day

More of the same except can add vegetable juice, cream soups (that have been strained to get out any little bits of things), light orange juice, yogurt, smoothies, and protein powder drink.

Suggestion: use a sippy cup and/or disposable dixie cups (they hold about 2 oz.)

Step 3 (Sept 9-10): 2 days-1 week of thin pureed food (depending on what can be tolerated)--3 to 6 small servings per day

Total of 60 grams of protein a day in the form of meals, snacks, and protein powder. Can mix pureed fruit with juice, pureed oatmeal with milk, and pureed meat with milk.

Step 4 (Sept 11-25): 2 weeks of soft food--3 to 6 small servings per day--continue 60 grams protein daily

This will be the hallelujah phase! I can have baked fish, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, bananas, watermelon, tuna, soft-cooked veggies, applesauce, saltine crackers. This will be the part where I have to chewchewchewchew everything and it should take 30 minutes to finish a meal.

No drinking water or other beverage with the meal! Must wait 1 hour after meal.

Suggestion: use a baby spoon to eat with and a salad plate or dessert plate for portion control

Step 5 (Sept 26): Forever--low fat, low-sugar solid food--minimum 3 meals per day

Continue with a high-protein diet (aids in healing, weight-loss, muscle maintenance).

Note: A chewable vitamin is necessary from the very beginning of the schedule.