How many meals to eat??? - ThinnerTimes

Blueyz · 07-24-2004, 09:01 AM

I am 10 days post-op and I am eating 3 meals a day. I am not eating anything in between. Are we supossed to be eating a whole bunch of tiny meals? I have a hard enough time eating because I am so thirsty and
I would rather drink in between meals. Also, I am having trouble feeling full when eating until it is almost too late because I always feel full..The only reason I know I have to eat is because I start feeling terrible.
Is this normal? I sure don't want to ruin my pouch.

stakeda · 07-24-2004, 10:17 AM

I am 17 days post-op and I have the same questions. I'm NEVER hungry. I have to make myself eat. So, how many times should I be doing this? I hear conflicting answers between Kelly and the literature given to us. Kelly says we should be "grazing" all day. (Up to 5 meals per day) The literature says to eat two meals per day. Dr. Callery mentioned that I should have four meals per day. Which is correct?

Dale,

I feel full with just one or two bites of food also.

Blueyz · 07-24-2004, 10:26 AM

Stacie,
I know what you mean about hearing all different stories. I measure my food out to the size of a golf ball and make sure I do not eat more than that. I find that if I don't eat, I feel like I am going to pass out and I had problems in the past with low blood sugar. Well, the good thing is we are not hungry. We just HAVE to eat to stay alive. How great is that?
I also get feelings of if I eat, I will gain weight like in the past. Do you think that, too? I am afraid to eat too much and not lose.

stakeda · 07-24-2004, 10:37 AM

Dale,

I'm very afraid. I feel like I am going to make even this TOOL fail. I'm completely paranoid.

I'd rather stay on protein drinks for the rest of my life if I could, but I know that's not the point of the surgery. We have to learn how to eat correctly, like the healthier population.

So, I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone.

Can any of you post-ops give us some comfort here?

Stuart · 07-24-2004, 11:35 AM

Dale,
When I was 10 days out, I was eating 5 or 6 times a day. Our job as an early post-op is to get nutrition into our bodies, and this means frequent, small meals at first. I too, had a hard time eating because I was not hungry and I felt full almost immediately. In fact, I had to watch the clock to remind myself when to eat. As for being thirsty, remember to sip, sip, and sip some more! The fear of hurting is something we all have, even as a later post-op(I am 8 and 1/2 months out). Just follow the rules and everything will be O.K. However, if you are having any problems keeping down anything solid, having unusual pain or vomiting, call the office immediately. Take care, Dale, and good luck!

bridgetgirl · 07-24-2004, 01:49 PM

Dont graze all day, unless your on the liquid diet.After that it is supposed to be 3 meals a day... planned meals. However Dr. C has said that for the first few months if you have 5 tiny meals that is okay, but you will by 3rd month at the latest want to be on 3 meals and no sncking! If you find that you are hungry late in the afternoon... its upto you to know if you ARE hungry or just feel like eating.... you may have a small planned snack. i.e., almonds, cheese, a piece of jerky, an apple or whatever.... dont worry guys you WONT ruin your pouch. The pouch wont fail you, we only fail ourselves with WLS, by returning to old habits. So if you dont want to look like the old you, you have to make changes with your relationship with food. Good luck ladies! Love your faces!

Mamabear · 07-26-2004, 12:47 PM

I have a different surgeon, but just so you get an idea of what others are doing (I'm 14 days post op), I eat three meals and have two protein drinks per day. I treat them like 5 small meals. The food meals consist of 4 tablespoons of pureed food (2T protein, 2T veggie or fruit--but fruit only once a day). I eat my protein first and only sometimes finish the other two tablespoons of food. I stop when I start to question whether or not I'm full/satisfied.

I eat a meal or drink a protein drink every 2-1/2 to 3 hours. I also drink 64oz water and take various vitamins and medications. I have to follow a written schedule or I delay eating too long and screw up my schedule for the rest of the day.

So far, so good!

Christina · 07-29-2004, 03:22 PM

How you guys doing now?? Everything getting easier for you? I still rarely eat more then twice a day but Kelly said that was fine, in my situation. I can't say she would say that was fine for everyone. Just sayin is all..

Hope you are doing better now.

lealphachienne · 07-30-2004, 08:05 AM

Remember, everyone is different and each person will require a little different schedule to meet their needs. You'll be getting a set of lab work up prior to the 3 month post-op appointment. It will show up in your blood if there are nutritional deficiences and if you need to change your schedule.