Question about how much food?

I was just out on the national message board, and found my way to an artical saying that the correct amount of food once you are back on solids is 1-4 oz per meal. I had surgery at Johns Hopkins and they are saying 4-6 oz of soft food and I think it's the same for regular food. I would love to hear how many meals and what portion size people are being told is best. Thanks

Hi Karen, First off, congratulations on your surgery! Second, I don't think there really is a "correct" amount of food to be eating. There are too many variables. I think there are really just suggested guidelines to follow. The safety of eating a certain amount ( as far as pouch mechanics are concerned ) for the stage that you are in at any given time, along with common sense, and appetite. The appetite part is notoriously unreliable so take that part with a grain of salt lol. It makes a difference as to what kind of food you're eating. For example 2 oz of steak and 2 oz of soup are not equal. The steak is far more dense and takes up more space when the soup just runs right through. Cottage cheese or scrambled eggs would fall somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. Also factoring in that some days you can just eat more than others for whatever reason. I tend to eat about five to six times a day. I eat anywhere from 2 - 5ish oz at a meal depending on the food density. I measured my food and followed a 2 oz rule during my 4 week puree stage and gradually increased that as my diet progressed. I chew everything to death and try to eat slowly. So far the docs and nutritionists are good with my progress and how I'm eating. It's a rare day for me that I don't get all my protein in, usually a minimum of about 90 grams. This is what works for me, however you will find as many opinions as there are people to have them, and every surgical practice will have different ideas as to what's acceptable. It'sa partnership with your doctor, following their guidelines along with your personal experience to follow a plan you can live with. My best advice would be to stay flexible and roll with the changes as they happen. Good luck to you! Linda

Good advice, Linda. I wouldn't add a thing.