Question regarding amount able to eat

Hey all. I just have a general question. I will be 6 weeks post-op tomorrow.  I am concentrating on getting in my protein (Dr. wants me to work to get 60 gms in daily)  Dear Lord! I am so falling short of this. I have been trying to get my protein from "natural" foods sources (chicken, fish, some very tender beef and legumes) The problem is, I can only take a few bites---maybe 2 oz total the whole meal.  I am supplementing with a protein bar or Atkins Advantage shakes.  (I ordered the Nectar and am convinced it is powdered poo--so if anybody has techniques for getting that mess down, I am all ears.)  Is it normal to only be able to eat a few bites---and I mean literally a few bites. I worry that getting my protein in..and maybe a green bean or piece of veggie isn't enough.  This whole experience is so new to me and I just want to make sure I am doing it "right". I have lost 40+ pounds---but just need some suggestions, advice, reality checks...etc. lol  Thanks.

Yup, totally normal!   In fact, my doc has me still at 2-4 oz per meal every three hours, and I am a year out.  BTW - Calorie Countdown has a green non-fat product (I've only seen it in Harris Teeter to date)  that is only 45 calories for 8 oz.  Still has all the calcium and, more importantly, protein, of regular milk.

Thanks! I feel better!  Also, thx for the headups on that product! Andra

A rule of thumb I go by how full I feel if the pouch is full I stop. Also I always try to fill the pouch with protien first then complex carbs and a little veggie if I can. Alot of times I just do the protien and the veggies. I will never physically be able to eat a regular amount. Sounds like your doing great.                                        Annie

I'm just over a year postop and still only eat 2-3 oz of protein in a sitting, if I can hold it.  If I eat something like nuts, I can't even hold 1 oz usually.  I can eat more salad than anything else.  You're doing okay.  The key is to do what you can do but not make yourself miserable with it.  My surgeon told me early out not to be so focused on "I have to get 2 oz in" as you are on stopping when you feel full even if the 2 oz isn't all in yet.  I still drink a shake daily, too, because without it I'd still not be able to get in 60 grams of protein a day.

Yup...completely normal and it sounds like you're "doing it right".  :)  So no worries there.  As time goes on you'll be able to eat more natural foods, but your body can't wait until then to get the protien in needs, so in the meantime you'll have to supplement.  At 7 months out, I would be able to get 60 grams of protein in, but my nut upped me to 90 grams a day (yikes!)  So, I still have to supplement too. I was rolling at your description of Nectar.  I agree with you...powdered poo, as are so many of the protein shakes (in my opinion.)  The only thing that I've found that I can handle on a daily basis is the New Whey protein bullets.  I mix them with mildly-diluted Crystal Light.  The blue raspberry bullet goes good with the Raspberry Ice or lemonade Crystal Light.  The fruit punch is good with fruit punch Crystal Light too.  Oh, and they have to be really cold, otherwise they start tasting funky to me.   So, after spending hundreds and liking next to nothing, that's what I've found that works for me.  It's really a matter of trial and error until you find what works for you.  But, it's important that you get your protein in, so keep searching!  :)  Good luck!

It is normal is be able to only eat a small amount at your stage - however, make sure you are eating slowly... you should be waiting 1-2 minutes between each bites and taking anywhere from 15-30 minutes to eat your meal (depending on surgeon guidelines)... you should also be chewing your food up to liquid consistancy... if you follow those rules that should allow you to eat more food in one sitting. You may want to get a timer/clock to watch while you are eating - we are such a rush rush rush society its very hard to slow down and take a long time to eat food... its hard to wait 1-2 minutes between bites... however its necessary so you can get in your nutrition thou!

My pouch decides something different at each meal. Mornings my pouch say "just a little!  at lunch "hmmmm we'll see" At supper "don't you dare eat to fast"  But salads and soup must run through pouchie cause I can eat more of them. But solid meats I can only eat a small amount sometimes less that 2 OZ. I use maximum protein from GNC. All three flavors taste great to me. They generally have a sample to taste in the store. I have at least one each day. I turn it into milkshakes...frappachinos...fruit smoothies. Love my  magic Bullet blender. One scoop with 5 oz of water has 22 grms of protein, with milk adds 5 more. It is good either way. Myrtis