what should i be eating?

hi everyone, i had an open rny three weeks ago and i dont know what to eat or how much. my Surgeon told me chicken, fish, cereal, oatmeal, potatoes and veggies. my problem is i dont know how much. he said to start with 2 tablespoons, my question is when do i eat more? i ate two small pieces of cheese today, was this bad? i dont see my Nutritionist until feb 29th. im going to call to see if i can get an appointment with her sooner. Also i can't tell if im full. i just stop eating because i am afraid to eat anymore. has anyone else had this problem? I keep thinking that i am going to pop my staples. thanks for your help michelle

Hi Michelle, I had lap RNY on 1-21. I can eat about 4 oz. at a time. I am with you - I have a hard time telling when I am full or even when I am hungry. So I eat 3 meals and two snacks. I eat my measuring out 4oz of things. I am off of full liquids and on to softer foods, or things I can mush up. I've tried lots of things, including beef, pork and chicken. The only thing I haven't tolerated real well is a hard boiled egg and peanut butter. Good Luck! Barbie

I'm going on three weeks too. I only eat as much as I can until I feel full. Dont over do it.... our tummy's are still new. I would just eat one ounce of food. That is all eat, I dont try another bite. I hope this is helpful. I was told too eat the samethings, but too eat only an 1 ounce of it. Over time we can eat more. Linda

CHEESE will become one of your best friends. High in protein is the key. At 3 weeks out I was able to start the soft food diet. Eating no more than 2 oz per meal, 5-6 meals per day. Just remember PROTEIN, its what comes first. Best of luck, Dawn RYN 1/8/04 -36

thanks for your help. now i feel like im on the right track. michelle

string cheese and refried beans were my best friends at three weeks out. figuring out how much to eat was hard but what I did was eat with a baby spoon and then wait 2 minutes between bites (at the advice from my Nutritionist). Then before taking another bite I would ask myself, "am I still hungry?" I was told not to eat until I'm full, but to try and pay attention to when I am satisfied. Also, we were told a minimum of 1 meal a day but not more than 3 and no snacking because snacking even though healthy in the beginning has a high chance of turning into potato chips or other unhealthy snacks that were the bain of our past. You'd want to check with your doctor though I know that some doctor's prefer you eat 5 times a day. If I ate 5 times a day though, I don't think I'd ever get in all my water intake.

I usually eat 2 times a day. That seems to be all I can get in along with the liquid (water, SF Kool aid, tomato juice) intake. I too was told not to snack as it could lead to problems later on. I just eat until I am satisfied. My problem is that I tend to eat too fast. So I am too full by the time my brain says ENOUGH. Chicken has been going really good. But I have to admit that I haven't tried a whole lot of things. I was on liquids for three weeks, pureed for one week and have been on regular since...nearly a week. So far, so good. I don't measure my food, just kind of "eyeball" it. Best wishes to all!!

MIchelle, most pouches originally are between 30 and 45 cc size. That is 2-3 tablespoons. I have found that the texture of my food has a lot to do with how much I can eat. I can only eat 2 crackers with tuna fish salad or seafood salad on them. But I can eat a whole can of chicken noodle soup. The liquid foods enter and clear the pouch more quickly than the solids. I had my first encounter with a Chinese buffet today. The easiest thing to eat was the crab rangu (spelling). Didn't eat the edges, but the inside with crab and creme chesse was wonderful. Had no problem with the fake crab meat and coconut shrimp. Then a bite of broccoli and I had to stop for a few minutes. It caused a lot of pressure. Anyway, I don't think your pouch will let you eat more than you should, especially this early in the game. Good luck and keep checking this site for useful information.

I am so happy to see that I am not crazy. I too can eat a whole can of soup and was afraid that the pouch may be too big. I am just beginning solid foods but I am using a food processor to break them up a little. Your message was very encouraging to me. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

I am starting week 6 today. My surgeon has us on liquids for 4 weeks...protein shakes 3 x a day, jello, broth, instant sugar free pudding, crystal lite, etc. No oatmeal, eggs, chicken (GOD!) or fish. During Phase II, weeks 5-8 we are allowed cream of wheat, oatmeal, fish (I threw it up), mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, cottage cheese. I tried a bite of chicken in week 4 (I was weak) and I paid by throwing up. Even a hard boiled egg made me ill. You have to just get to know your new stomach and think with your stomach not your head. Sounds weird, I know. But once you eat, and you start to feel full, you should stop. Another bite and you'll feel tight in the chest and sick. Even if you take one bite of something, if you start to feel tight in the middle, don't eat anymore. You may not be able to handle that food at the time. Try again. If you handle it, fine. My surgeon is one of the best around and has had extensive experience with LAP RNY. He has revised his diet phases based on patient experience and on the bad results that happen in months to come from something eaten in the first few weeks that was too soon. When you feel ill, always go back to clear liquids. It takes a day or two to get back to normal and try foods again. Good luck! We are babies, learning to eat all over again!