Once again can you guys help me out?

Confusing Info I am very confused on portion size our meals should be. In the PMRI handbook is states that each meal should be ¼ to ½ cup. Some of the meals in the sample menu are 1 cup. I have been eating ¼ cup but have not gotten all of my meal in yet. On the discharge papers it says 1 cup per meal. If the pouch can only hold a few ounces how can I eat even a ½ cup spread over an 30 -45 minutes? Another question is, I have gotten several papers with all different times that it should take to eat. The ones from PMRI say 30-45 minutes and the Dr. Office say 45-60 minutes. I am trying to follow the rules for the best results. I want to say on the low side, at least at first, but then again I do not want to under nourish myself either. Another Question- the handbook says that we can take b-12 pills with out crushing. I wanted to make sure this is true. I bought a bottle yesterday and they are about 3 times bigger than the synthroid pills that I have to crush now. Right now I have to crush 4 pills in the morning and take liquid antibiotics, in order to get all 4 pills down I need to take with at least ¼ cup sugar free chocolate pudding. These are a bitter mix and it takes me an hour to get them down. I guess I will have to start counting then as a meal, but it really is messing with trying to stay on an eating plan. Anyone have any info or input for me? Thanks

Hi Michele, I can tell you what I have been doing and maybe it will help. As far as meal size goes I am following the 2 oz rule for now 2 oz = 1/4 cup. I am also eating about every 3 hours as suggested. I wait 30 mins before and after to drink. And first and formost I am not stressing over it. I am using those guidelines as well as common sense. I am trying to make the best nutritional choices for my tiny amounts. Remember, we had a HUGE surgery less than a week ago and it will take time to settle into any routine. Things will get easier as we go along. I am an early riser most days and usually eat when I get up. This morning I had 2 oz of cottage cheese at 5 AM, and now at 8:30ish I am having 2 oz of carb control vanilla yogurt with 2 fresh strawberries blended in along with some extra unflavored protein powder. It sounds like to me you are doing just fine!

Oh I forgot about the B-12! Don't swallow it whole!! The ones that we are doing that with are these little teeny tiny sublingual ones that can be found at trader Joes. They are itty bitty and desolve under your tongue in a second or 2. They weren't expensive either. Try some!

Mish, Linda's advice sounds terrific. You both sound like you are doing wonderful. I'm jealous. Take care!

Mish, The PRMI handbook is whacked! I'm almost 6 months post-op and I still can't eat as much as they "suggest" in the book! I really doubt anyone can eat as much as they suggest, certainly not when you are only a week or two out. Just do the best you can with it. Debbie

Hi Michele, I'm 5 mths out and I still can't eat 1 cup in one sitting.I still eat 6 small meals and only take 15-20 min to eat. Example: 1/4 cup chili is all I can handle at one time.Had a scope to check things out and they said my stomach is just smaller than most are at this point and to chew really well, make good choices and listen to your body.When I was as new as you I could only eat 1/2-1 oz at a time.

Mish, I will ditto Linda. I tried to follow Dr. Irgau's rules. I went with the 2 oz rule 35-45 minutes to eat. I read the PMRI info and it is way too much, even at 8 weeks out. God Bless anyone than can eat all that. I still don't know what hungry or full feels like. So I stop when I get in that 2 oz. Just go slow at first. You'll find your nitch in a week or 2. I got the sublingual B12 at GNC. They melt under the tongue and are tiny. My BP & Cholesterol meds were also little. I have to admit the Actigall was nasty. I tried it in applesauce and pineapple and milk and finally gave up. I started back with it after 1 month when I could swallow it whole. I also switched from the chewable flintstones & tums to pills after the month was up. Gosh I was so sick of the fruity chewy sweet taste. Keep trying things and asking questions until you are comfortable. Hope this helps. ((HUGS)) Elissa

Sounds like everyone already nailed down the advice. Forget about trying to eat a cup, that is just dumb, I don't know why on earth they would say that.. sheesh. Just stick to 2 oz or 1/4 c for now... you will slowwwwlllyyy progress upwards from there. Brett will tell you everytime to take 45 minutes to eat that 1/4 cup.. that is hard. I suggest throwing the old table manners out the window and do an "activity" while you eat & take a spoonful every 5 - 10 minutes. Eat while you - read the message boards, watch a movie, read a magazine or book. Something still relaxing - not like laundry... lol. Just take it slow, you are doing great - questions are very normal. Also - The vitamin shoppe has a B-12 sublingual (under the tongue) liquid that also has 400 mcg of folic acid in it - works out well for those unexpected pregnancies . Anyway - it is rasberry flavored & not bad at all. forget the horse pill for now.

Mish, I am simply here with a ditto, ditto, ditto. I still can't eat near as much as I am supposed to by the book. I just do what I can and try not to stress over it. Although at first I was stressing because it didn't make sense to me either (and I am one who NEEDs for it all to make sense). BTW - that part of my personality has had to change a little also!!! *grin* Hugs, Tammy