How much are you all eating?

My surgery was 2 months ago today. (I go for my monthly weigh-in tomorrow.) I'm wondering what quantity of food you all are eating at this point. For breakfast, I usually have 1 egg w/a bit of shredded cheese, scrambled in the microwave. I can only eat about half of this. (It is very fluffy.) Lunch, often is a chunk of cheese, 2 peanut butter crackers, 2 cheese & crackers, soup, cooked chicken or leftovers from previous dinner. Dinner is usually protein like chicken, crustless quiche, crab, shrimp, fish, etc. I can eat about 6 small bites. My problem is that I get full quickly, and then I am hungry in another 2 - 3 hours. I can often do OK by just drinking a cup of coffee or extra water to hold me to the next meal. Sometimes though, I'll have a sugar-free popscicle or a small amount of nuts or chunk of cheese. I'm up at 5:45 AM, breakfast is usually by 7:00 AM, lunch at noon - 1 PM, and dinner is at 7:00 PM. Anyone else feeling full after a few bites at mealtime, then finding that you need a snack to tide you over between meals?

Donna, I'm not sure what your dr's meal plan looks like- but for me, eating 5 - 6 small meals works best. I honestly don't usually get all of them in- the largest meal I can eat is 1/2 cup cream of chicken soup w/ 1/2 grilled cheese and there is usually some left and i stay full for a long time after that. My snacks are usually a cracker or two w/ PB. I can eat an egg, scrambled with some cheese usually. Cooked stove top..lol ... but on the most part, I don't eat much usually ....I don't get hungry- every once in a while, and once in a while I get SUPER hungry ; sounds nuts I know, but I think that is my body's way of tricking itself because I usually lose more when I eat more .... I drink alot and I probably don't get hungry most of the time because of that.... but having small meals several times a day is ok with my meal plan- it actually helps to speed up the metabolism ...

Hi Donna! I, too, am two months post-op. It sounds like you're eating good. Up until a few days ago, I was living on yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes...anything soft. And I only ate twice a day. I felt like I was going to die of malnutrition, but if I tried to eat solid food, I'd spend an hour hovering over a pale feeling sick. Now, I can eat a little bit more. My doctor suggests eating smaller portions, every two hours. Try that. Keep up the good spirits!

I'm still struggling with this. I have a hard time with chicken, shrimp, and meats in general it seems. Sometimes like today the day gets away from me and I find that I have only had one meal so far.... .some manicotti (about 1/2 of one) (eggs, cheese in it for protein).... so far 32 ozs of water, two flinstones, one viactiv. I can tolerate most things in very smalll quantities.... sometimes with a bit of fluid... I find that if I don't have enough to make food somewhat liquidy then it just sits in my pouch for hours, I can't get fluids in, and I end up puking it in the end. The Reglan has helped somewhat but I had a bad episode yesterday with a piece of chicken.... it takes me about 4 hours to get over it... and then I am exhausted. Everyone tells me to be patient.... I am only 2 months out.... The good news is that I may soon need new scrubs as everything is starting to get loose on me.... have not even tried on my 4xs since surgery.... will be interesting to see. B

I'm 10 weeks out and I can eat almost anything except chicken. Well although I did have chicken in soup today and that was fine. For breakfast I usually have 2 egg whites w/ a slice of cheese and some canadian bacon cut up w/ onions. I can eat the whole thing. Between breakfast and lunch: I make a protein shake w/ half banana, frozen berries, 4 oz of skim plus milk, protein powder and blend it. Lunch: low carb progresso soup. I noticed that if I eat a cream soup I can't eat as much but if it has a broth I can eat more. Dinner: I had stuffed flounder last night but was only able to eat 1/2 of it. If I have beef or pork I can only eat a very small amount. Since I found out I could eat salad with no problems i'm trying to eat more of that now. I try not eat much bread or pasta. I think i've had a couple slices totally since my surgery. I had eggplant parm the other night but couldn't eat much. It was very filling. I snack on low fat ritz and low carb peanut butter or cheese, nuts, sugar free icecream etc. My dr told me friday to eat up 6 meals a day. I probably only eat about 3 or 4. depending on the day and how i'm feeling. ~Angel 222/185/120

I have a protein shake in the mornings. The rest of the day I'll have 2 or 3 half cup meals or snacks. If I just don't feel like eating, I have another protein shake. Food just isn't that exciting anymore now that I'm not swallowing it whole and consuming it in mass quantities. Are you giving yourself enough time between consuming your meals and liquids?

My rny was 11/16/04 and I can eat anything except breads. they are like glue! I sometimes worry that I'm able to eat too much. I have lost 53 pounds though. Must be doing something right.

I found that I was getting hungry much sooner than I thought I should have been and I realized that I was drinking too soon after a meal. The longer you wait to drink after a meal, the longer the food will stay in your pouch and you will feel full. I started setting my timer for 1 1/2 hours at meal times and not drinking my water again until that goes off (idea I got from pouch rules for dummies). It works great!! I stay full much longer and don't feel the need to snack so often!!

Thank you all for your great replies. I really appreciate them! Donna P RNY 11/17/04

Hi Donna, I had surgery on 11/10 and this is what I have been eating lately. I have gone through some tough times, so I am thrilled to be feeling better. This is what I usually have. When I get up, I have decaf coffee and then a protein shake. When that is through, I wait my 30 min and then have 3 strips of turkey bacon- then WATER -until lunch which is like-1 oz of finely shredded lettuce with about 2 oz chopped ham, turkey and cheese or any other variation-chicken, eggs, beans, chick peas, etc and I make my own dressing or use a variation like Seven Sea red wine vinegarette. (I should mention I don't always eat lunch, but I am trying to do so) Then more WATER and in the later afternoon another protein shake. For dinner I have any kind of protein-fish, chicken, pot roast in gravy, homemade beef stew with veggies, turkey sausage, ground beef in sauce, and some type of veggie-spinach, broccolli in cheese, cauliflower in cheese, green beans with almonds or lettuce again, depends on my mood. If I have a snack, I will have sugar-free Jello pudding or small amount of fruit, that are not too high in sugar like blueberries, or a spoonfull of peanut butter with sugar-free jelly. I let my body guide me as some days I am hungrier than others. I try not to let myself get too hungry because I believe that is not healthy either. I hope this helps you some. Best of luck to you. Laura