Day 0 (Day of Surgery)
In the hospital, you won't be able to eat or drink by mouth until an esophagram (barium swallow) has been performed. This will happen the day after your surgery.
Post-Op Day One
Once you have had your esophagram and have been cleared to drink liquids, you should aim to drink 24 ounces of clear fluids that day. Try sipping 1 ounce (30 milliliters) every hour. Stop when you feel full.
Clear liquids include:
- Sugar-free, diet, noncarbonated beverages such as Crystal Light, sugar-free Kool-Aid, sugar-free Tang, Diet Snapple, FUZE, Powerade Zero, Diet V8 Splash, Propel, Fruit2O, coffee, tea and water
- Low-sodium broth soups (chicken, vegetable or beef). Tomato soup and other creamy soups are not broth soups. It needs to be a clear liquid and should NOT contain bits and pieces of meat, tofu, noodles or vegetables. Each serving should not contain more than 140 mg of sodium (salt). Bullion cubes are not acceptable as they are too high in sodium. The best places to find low-sodium broth (140 mg or less) is at Trader Joe’s, Sprouts and Whole Foods.
- Sugar-free Jell-O and sugar-free popsicles
- Isopure or Syntrax Nectar (clear protein drinks)
Tips to meet your daily fluid needs:
- Carry a large water bottle with you wherever you go.
- Drink the things on the clear-liquid list that you enjoy the most.
- Make a slushy by adding ice to your beverage and blending it.
Post-Op Day Two
You should aim for a goal of 48 ounces of fluid for the day. Your goal is to consume 2 ounces (60 ml) every hour.
Post-Op Day Three and Forward
You should aim for a goal of 64 ounces of fluid each day, taking sips to avoid dehydration. Remember 64 ounces a day is a goal. If you aren’t able to drink this amount just yet, don’t worry; just continue to shoot for that goal each day.
Post-Op Day Five to 13
Continue drinking the liquids on the clear-liquids list, but now you can add liquids that contain protein and vitamins your body needs for healing. Your food will continue to be in the liquid form because your stomach is still swollen and tender on the inside, and your stitches need time to heal.
Acceptable liquids include:
- One cup (8 ounces) of milk (skim, 1%, Lactaid, almond or soy), 6 ounces of yogurt, nonfat Greek yogurt (no more than 110 calories and 12 grams of sugar per serving) or soy yogurt (for those with lactose intolerance), half a cup of Jell-O pudding, and sugar-free Fudgesicles.
- Protein shakes:
a. Muscle Milk (Costco, Target, GNC and major grocery chains)
b. Pure Protein Shakes (Trader Joe’s)
c. Premier Protein Shakes (Costco)
d. EAS 100% Whey Protein Powder (Walmart)
e. Jay Robb Protein Powder (strawberry, vanilla, chocolate and unflavored
– available at Sprouts and Whole Foods)
f. Jay Robb Egg White Protein Powder
g. Soy protein powder (for those with lactose intolerance – available at Sprouts and Whole Foods)
h. Syntrax Nectar or Isopure (GNC and Vitamin Shoppe – for those with lactose intolerance or just wanting different juice like flavors)
Note: Lactose-free products include Jay Robb Protein Powders, soy protein powders, Syntrax Nectar or Isopure.