Am I eating right? I am so confused
Good evening all,
Okay so next week I will be starting stage 2 foods (pured) now i know this includes puddings, pured meats, mashed potatoes, refried beans, eggs, and Fish. So my question is can the eggs be scrammbled egg beaters? And i was told white fish. What types of white fish do you use, that arent to fishy tasting? Can I have cheese ontop of different things, and how about white albacore tuna in water? And what about oatmeal, I was told baby oatmeal but I just cant do it lol could I eat regular oatmeal (instant) how about if i grind up the oats?Now my main question is I am a little over a week out, and when i sit down to eat I am not sure that I am full. I have not tried to eat more in fear I will hurt myself, but i still feel hungry. My doctor sent me home from the hospital and said to drink 2 oz of fluids every 30 min. How long should it take me to get that down cause as of now i can do in 7-10 min. My meal usually consist of 1oz of broth and 1oz of jello or juice or SF popcycles. If all I am eating is liquids then how am I supposed to not have any liquids 30 min prior or after eating lol. I am just so confused with all this. I will not start my protien shakes until next week when i start phase 2. Should i be concerned I dont feel full. I think I am so used to feeling stuffed and gorged that I am just not used to being satisfied. I have lost 14.6 pounds in a little over a week so I am sure Mrs pouchy poo is doing her job. Someone please help me. Any meal schedules, ideas or advice would be so greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much in advance.
Paula
Okay so next week I will be starting stage 2 foods (pured) now i know this includes puddings, pured meats, mashed potatoes, refried beans, eggs, and Fish. So my question is can the eggs be scrammbled egg beaters? And i was told white fish. What types of white fish do you use, that arent to fishy tasting? Can I have cheese ontop of different things, and how about white albacore tuna in water? And what about oatmeal, I was told baby oatmeal but I just cant do it lol could I eat regular oatmeal (instant) how about if i grind up the oats?Now my main question is I am a little over a week out, and when i sit down to eat I am not sure that I am full. I have not tried to eat more in fear I will hurt myself, but i still feel hungry. My doctor sent me home from the hospital and said to drink 2 oz of fluids every 30 min. How long should it take me to get that down cause as of now i can do in 7-10 min. My meal usually consist of 1oz of broth and 1oz of jello or juice or SF popcycles. If all I am eating is liquids then how am I supposed to not have any liquids 30 min prior or after eating lol. I am just so confused with all this. I will not start my protien shakes until next week when i start phase 2. Should i be concerned I dont feel full. I think I am so used to feeling stuffed and gorged that I am just not used to being satisfied. I have lost 14.6 pounds in a little over a week so I am sure Mrs pouchy poo is doing her job. Someone please help me. Any meal schedules, ideas or advice would be so greatly appreciated.Thanks so much in advance.
Paula
The whole "no liquids before or after a meal" thing comes into play once you are off the liquid stage. Considering right now you are only on clear liquids, then it's not applicable.
As far as not feeling "full" - you are not going to right now, generally speaking. They cut the nerves in your stomach and it takes awhile for real hunger and real fullness to come back. The "hunger" you may be feeling is probably more along the lines of head hunger than physical hunger. Your mind WANTS to eat - but it's not physically your stomach telling you that you need to eat.
I would NOT do regular oatmeal. Way to fibrous for 2 weeks out. Maybe cream of wheat? But - right now your focus should be on protein so I would stay away from things like that anyway. No need to fill your pouch up with carbs as opposed to protein.
Each surgeon is different. I was allowed to have scrambled egg beaters (a little runny) on pureed HOWEVER....pureed for me wasn't until week 4. 1st week: clear liquids only. 2nd and third week: FULL liquids only (puddings, milk, jello, broth, etc) 4th week: Pureed
I'm not a huge fan of fish, so I can't help you with what white fish doesn't taste to fishy but the tuna thing sounds good.
Again, at 4 weeks out I was allowed to melt cheese on my egg beaters and stuff.
Liquids...I never once had a problem getting them down. I would easily drink a 20 ounce bottle over the course of an hour or so within 1 week of surgery. Don't get to concerned if you are able to drink a bit more than some people say is "normal". HOWEVER - don't force the issue either.
Once you start "meals" (including pureed meat etc) you need to measure out your portions (about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup depending on your doc, your pouch, and what your nutritionist says) and eat according to the amount AND the clock. It should take you about 20 mins to eat such a small serving. This is hard to do at first. And also remember, once you start anything other than full or clear liquids, the no liquids before/after rule plays. And don't rely on your sense of hunger to eat....eat by the clock - every 3 hours or so.
You'll get the hang of it, but it takes awhile to get yourself into a routine, and then each time you switch food phases, it takes awhile to get into THAT type of routine. Supplement with protein shakes as needed and as reccommended by your surgeon until you are getting in all your protein from food (which can take quite a bit of time!)
Pam
As far as not feeling "full" - you are not going to right now, generally speaking. They cut the nerves in your stomach and it takes awhile for real hunger and real fullness to come back. The "hunger" you may be feeling is probably more along the lines of head hunger than physical hunger. Your mind WANTS to eat - but it's not physically your stomach telling you that you need to eat.
I would NOT do regular oatmeal. Way to fibrous for 2 weeks out. Maybe cream of wheat? But - right now your focus should be on protein so I would stay away from things like that anyway. No need to fill your pouch up with carbs as opposed to protein.
Each surgeon is different. I was allowed to have scrambled egg beaters (a little runny) on pureed HOWEVER....pureed for me wasn't until week 4. 1st week: clear liquids only. 2nd and third week: FULL liquids only (puddings, milk, jello, broth, etc) 4th week: Pureed
I'm not a huge fan of fish, so I can't help you with what white fish doesn't taste to fishy but the tuna thing sounds good.
Again, at 4 weeks out I was allowed to melt cheese on my egg beaters and stuff.
Liquids...I never once had a problem getting them down. I would easily drink a 20 ounce bottle over the course of an hour or so within 1 week of surgery. Don't get to concerned if you are able to drink a bit more than some people say is "normal". HOWEVER - don't force the issue either.
Once you start "meals" (including pureed meat etc) you need to measure out your portions (about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup depending on your doc, your pouch, and what your nutritionist says) and eat according to the amount AND the clock. It should take you about 20 mins to eat such a small serving. This is hard to do at first. And also remember, once you start anything other than full or clear liquids, the no liquids before/after rule plays. And don't rely on your sense of hunger to eat....eat by the clock - every 3 hours or so.
You'll get the hang of it, but it takes awhile to get yourself into a routine, and then each time you switch food phases, it takes awhile to get into THAT type of routine. Supplement with protein shakes as needed and as reccommended by your surgeon until you are getting in all your protein from food (which can take quite a bit of time!)
Pam
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
Paula,
no need to pull your hair out!!!
In my case, once I moved to pureed foods, I could have runny scrambled egg beaters topped with (melted) fat free american cheese. Nothing has ever tasted so good. I couldn't take canned fish (still can't stand it - way too fishy tasting and the texture makes me gag). However, I dearly love a nice moist and flaky tilapia filet. It will just melt in your mouth (as long as it isn't overcooked).
Yes to the melted cheese, but try to keep with reduced fat or fat free SOFT cheeses at this point. And keep in mind that Greek Yogurt is your FRIEND... will add lots of creaminess and protein to soups, purees, etc. without adding fat! Can be savory (think sour cream- top your refried beans with a dollop and some shredded cheese) or sweet (mix with some sugar-free preserves or jelly).
Protein shakes are also excellent and you can get quite creative with them. www.bariatriceating.com will give you some great ideas, and they also have meal plans and recipes for the different stages.
One of the "points" of this time periiod is to retrain your body, mind, and stomach to eat on different triggers. I found it such a gift to not feel hungry and not feel full (or overstuffed, as I've come to realize it). Eating became something that was planned and conscious (a great thing) rather than spontaneous and emotional. I could plan to eat and portion out my 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup of food (depending on what stage I was in) and eat slowly, savor it, and be satisfied. Food never tasted so good, because I was concentrating on it and chewing it thoroughly.
At some point along the way, I got some great advice (I think it was from the Barix Bible, but am not sure). Our goal is NOT to eat until we're full. Our goal is to eat until we are "just right" (about 80% of "full"). As long as you're meeting your protein goals, fat goals, and calorie goals (which will change over time with exercise and body weight changes), you don't need to feel anxious about "feeling full" or "being full" - you will have satisfied your body's needs for nutrition and that's the goal.
You're doing great so far - keep up the excellent work and great attitude!
Karen
no need to pull your hair out!!!
In my case, once I moved to pureed foods, I could have runny scrambled egg beaters topped with (melted) fat free american cheese. Nothing has ever tasted so good. I couldn't take canned fish (still can't stand it - way too fishy tasting and the texture makes me gag). However, I dearly love a nice moist and flaky tilapia filet. It will just melt in your mouth (as long as it isn't overcooked).
Yes to the melted cheese, but try to keep with reduced fat or fat free SOFT cheeses at this point. And keep in mind that Greek Yogurt is your FRIEND... will add lots of creaminess and protein to soups, purees, etc. without adding fat! Can be savory (think sour cream- top your refried beans with a dollop and some shredded cheese) or sweet (mix with some sugar-free preserves or jelly).
Protein shakes are also excellent and you can get quite creative with them. www.bariatriceating.com will give you some great ideas, and they also have meal plans and recipes for the different stages.
One of the "points" of this time periiod is to retrain your body, mind, and stomach to eat on different triggers. I found it such a gift to not feel hungry and not feel full (or overstuffed, as I've come to realize it). Eating became something that was planned and conscious (a great thing) rather than spontaneous and emotional. I could plan to eat and portion out my 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup of food (depending on what stage I was in) and eat slowly, savor it, and be satisfied. Food never tasted so good, because I was concentrating on it and chewing it thoroughly.
At some point along the way, I got some great advice (I think it was from the Barix Bible, but am not sure). Our goal is NOT to eat until we're full. Our goal is to eat until we are "just right" (about 80% of "full"). As long as you're meeting your protein goals, fat goals, and calorie goals (which will change over time with exercise and body weight changes), you don't need to feel anxious about "feeling full" or "being full" - you will have satisfied your body's needs for nutrition and that's the goal.
You're doing great so far - keep up the excellent work and great attitude!
Karen
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