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Writer's pictureMonica Bashaw

What I ate while on thin liquids: WEEK 1 after jaw surgery

Updated: Dec 8, 2023



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 days #3 and #4 were similar to post-op day #2



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...

  1. 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.

  2. Calories.

  3. 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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