Ouffff this was a tough phase.
What is a THIN LIQUID?
A thin liquid is a liquid the consistency of water or milk. Thin liquids are the perfect consistency for syringes and condiment bottles.
Challenges during this phase included:
How to eat. My preferred method was using syringes with catheter tips (provided by the hospital). I attempted using condiment bottles multiple times, but I couldn't figure out how to use them effectively. By post-op day 4 and 5, I was slurping out of cup over the sink. It sounds gross, but I would basically position the cup under my chin to catch what dribbled out after each swallow (which was typically 1/2 of the liquid), and then repeat. Desperate times my friends!
Patience and persistence. For the first couple of days post-op I was only able to swallow 3 mL at a time, meaning a tablespoon of liquid would take easily 5-10 minutes. This meant I needed to be basically eating non-stop all day to prevent dehydration!
Numbness. Not being able to find my lips to feed myself after surgery was something I didn't anticipate. I wasn't able to get the catheter tip into my mouth or a cup to my lips for MANY weeks after surgery without help from a propped up mirror. Also because everything was numb inside my mouth, it made it difficult to control the liquids in my mouth, unless the liquids were very cold.
So much spilling. From liquids dribbling out of my mouth, to leaking syringes, to flat out drooling! Having a tea towel tucked into my shirt like a bib was crucial, as were additional cloths and paper towels within reach at all times.
My #1 piece of advice - PRIORITIZE CALORIES & PROTEIN!
Focus on liquids that count. Regardless of how many mL or cups you're able to get down, choose high calorie liquids with a good amount of protein.
For example, 1 cup of broth = 15 calories and 1-2 grams of protein, while 1 cup of a high calorie meal replacement = 350-500 calories and 15-20 grams of protein. Big difference!
Meal replacements receive a lot of criticism for being man-made and "chemically", but we're talking about survival here people!!! The bottom line is that they get the job done.
Make each sip count and be sipping frequently.
The quicker you can get back to nourishing your body, the faster you're going to heal.
These were my favourite meal replacements.
Boost Fruit Flavoured Beverages - 180 calories and 9 grams of protein
Ensure Plus Calories - 355 calories and 14 grams of protein
Resource 2.0 - 477 calories and 20 grams of protein
Selection Meal Replacement Plus Calories - 360 calories and 14 grams of protein
Why am I choosing to drink meal replacements and not protein shakes? Check out THIS post for the answer.
Below are examples of what I ate while on thin liquids after surgery. Depending on what type of surgery you had (I had double jaw surgery), you might be eating more or less than this. Always follow your surgeon's instructions. If you need tailored advice, reach out to a local dietitian.
Post-op Day #1
(9h15) Espresso + Ensure Plus Calories - 80 mL
(9h50) Water - 40 mL
(10h10) Water - 40 mL
(10h35) Water - 40 mL
(10h45) Water - 40 mL
(10h53) Water - 40 mL
(11h05) OJ - 40 mL
(11h25) OJ + water - 40 mL
(11h45) OJ + water + meds - 30 mL
(11h50) Water - 20 mL
(12h50) Ensure Plus Calories - 30 mL
(13h05) Water - 50 mL
(13h40) OJ + meds - 30 mL
(14h55) Apple juice - 40 mL
(15h10) Ensure Plus Calories - 30 mL
(15h30) Water - 40 mL
(15h40) Gatorade - 30 mL
- left the hospital -
(18h15) Water - 40 mL
(18h40) Resource 2.0 + frozen mango + water - 35 mL
(19h00) Resource 2.0 + frozen mango + water + meds - 35 mL
(20h10) Resource 2.0 + frozen mango + water - 35 mL
(20h40) Resource 2.0 + frozen mango + water - 40 mL
(21h05) Water - 40 mL
As you can see, I'm wasn't able to consume a lot at a time, but I was sipping frequently.
Total liquid = 885 mL - despite only being able to take in 2-3 tbsps in a sitting.
Post-op Day #2
Being at home was SO much more comfortable. I didn't mind getting messy while eating because I had the means to clean myself up in the comfort of my own bathroom.
Espresso + Resource 2.0 - 40 mL + 50 mL + 30 mL = 200 calories
Juven - 60 mL + 60 mL + 60 mL + 60 mL = 95 calories
Resource 2.0 + frozen mango - 50 mL = 100 calories
Resource 2.0 + mango + lax-a-day (small dose) - 50 mL + 50 mL +50 mL + 50 mL = 300 calories
Meds - 20 mL
Water - 50 mL + 50 mL + 50 mL + 50 mL + 50 mL
Thinned African Peanut Soup from a friend + unflavoured protein powder - 40 mL + 40 mL + 40 mL = 50 calories
Boost Fruit Beverage - 50 mL + 50 mL + 15 mL = 90 calories
Resource 2.0 + frozen mango - 40 mL + 40 mL + 50 mL + 25 mL = 280 calories
Water - 50 mL + 50 mL + 50 mL + 50 mL + 50 mL
Total liquid = 1520 mL
Estimated calories = 1100 calories
My syringe only held 60 mL which is why I had to refill it so often. Having a simple goal of 40-60 mL at a time felt manageable. If I had sat down with 250 mL, I know I would have felt really overwhelmed and frustrated within minutes.
Post-op Day #5
By post-op day 5 I was over using the catheter and I discovered that I could slurp WAY more liquid down and also faster with a cup over the sink. This was a big deal!
Water - 40 mL
Espresso - 30 mL = 5 calories, 0 g protein
Resource 2.0 + frozen mango - 170 mL = 320 calories, 13 g protein
Water - 200 mL
Juven - 230 mL = 95 calories, 3 g protein
Blended lentil soup + unflavoured protein powder -120 mL = 155 calories, 14 g protein
Meds - 20 mL
Apple juice - 150 mL = 55 calories, 0 g protein
Resource 2.0 + frozen blueberries - 120 mL = 241 calories, 10 g protein
Juven - 230 mL = 95 calories, 3 g protein
Push - 125 mL = 30 calories, 5 g protein
Cream of mushroom soup + milk + protein powder - 350 mL = 415 calories, 21 g protein
Blended legume soup + frozen avocado chunks + protein powder + water - 500 mL = 305 calories, 19 g protein
Meds - 10 mL
Total liquid = 2295 mL
Estimated calories = 1710 calories
Estimated protein = 85-90 grams
Post-op Day #6
My hunger returned on post-op day 6. I clearly wasn't sleeping well yet because I was up at 2 and 3 a.m. hungry!
(2h00) Resource 2.0 + frozen blueberries + water - 125 mL = 200 calories, 8 g protein
(2h30) Apple juice + water - 200 mL = 55 calories, 0 g protein
(3h30) Ensure Plus Calories - 160 mL = 250 calories, 8 g protein
Meds - 40 mL
Ensure Plus Calories + espresso - 265 mL = 350 calories, 14 g protein
Juven (added liquid omega-3 and vitamin D) - 250 mL = 95 calories, 3 g protein
Push - 125 mL = 30 calories, 5 g protein
Water - 125 mL
(in 2 sittings) Resource 2.0 + frozen mango - 500 mL = 560 calories, 24 g protein
Cream of mushroom soup + milk + protein powder 150 mL - 180 calories, 13 g protein
Push - 60 mL = 30 calories, 5 g protein
Lentil soup + frozen avocado chunks + water - 600 mL = 160 calories, 5 g protein
Juven - 250 mL = 95 calories, 3 g protein
Total liquid = 2850 mL
Estimated calories = 2000 calories
Estimated protein = 85-90 grams
Nutritional priorities immediately after jaw surgery...
Hydration. Being able to drink a decent amount of water is typically a requirement before leaving the hospital. If you become dehydrated at home, you'll likely end up back in the hospital.
Calories.
Protein.
How do you know what your calorie and protein goals should be? Check out THIS post for the answer.
Eating and drinking right after surgery is challenging not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Focus on doing your best. Take it slow and one sip at a time.
I believe in you!!
- Monica, the Jaw Surgery Dietitian
P.S. Are you Canadian? Cool, me too! If you're looking for additional food and nutrition support in your journey and you're a resident of one of the following provinces, feel free to reach out for an online appointment. I'm able to work with patients in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Contact me here!
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