2 Week Post Op Visit and 3 Meals a Day

I had my two-week follow up appointment today. My surgeon was pleased with my progress. We talked quite a while and he answered detailed questions I had about the roux limb lengthening he did for my revision. All in all it was a good appointment, I do have two blood clots that we are watching. I am being allowed to go back to work half-time on Friday which makes me very happy. I also spoke with the nutritionist who is so smart and caring. We have spoken numerous times and she has been a great resouce for me. She reminded me to have three meals a day with two protein drinks in between as a snack. I have never done that. The previous bariatric program did not advocate that. How do you get used to three meals a day? Pre original surgery I never ate breakfast and often passed on lunch. From dinner on...it was on. I have been fortunate so far because I haven't been hungry but I am well aware that will change over time. So who has a great three-meal-a-day habit so you can teach me how to do it?

I keep track over everything I eat on sparkpeople.com. Its free and allows me to see how much I am really eating. It has also defined my meals so they are clearer and more balanced. It's a great tool for keep track of what you are doing.

Thank you for this idea. I just signed up. I like the look even more than Fitday. Good luck to you.

Hello Ann, Good to see you. I drink most of the day. I start off in the morning with water and a Dr. Atkins, maybe a 1/2 cup of decaf coffee, if I have a snack - it's peanut butter and apple, peanuts, Potato Soy Crisp or something along those lines. Should I get hungry and want something other than the snacks listed and a Dr. Atkins -- I'll get some chicken salad or chili from the cafe and its fluids until I get home. Usually somewhere during the day I'll start working on a 20 ounce protein fruit drink -- it has 40 grams of protein. Usually for dinner its either a salad or fruit or something small. My surgeon wants me to drink more and as I learn more about this surgery; when I drink something the hunger goes away.

Funny you mention chili. I lived on low fat turkey chili for almost a year. It was so good with cheese and gave me lots of protein.

Love it. B-4 surgery I wouldn't eat chili with beans and now I do. The chili at work is very good -- not greasy. Giant grocery store chili is good and now I'm hooked on Ben's Chili bowl chili. We go to church in DC and now over the past few weeks, when we leave church I stop and buy a large chili for the week. They say don't eat out the first year, fortunately I've found this Asian Kitchen and Dennis makes my food with great care and no oils. I let him put the rice in the bag so we can feed the birds. I usually get a chicken and veggie mixture and that will last for about 4 days, maybe 5. We have almost a dozen eggs in the fridge that neither of us have touched in months. Not long after the surgery I'd have a boiled egg from time to time for protein purposes. I'm not venturing out with too many foods -- I'm staying safe with what works. So far the Dr. Atkins and Protein fruit drinks are working for me.

Hi, My surgeon wanted me to do the exact same thing in the begining.. break., lunch, and dinner and protein shakes as snacks. It worked because i lost 200 lbs. Just listen to what he says and DO IT!! Even if your not use to eating 3 meals, eat something. I'm 19 months out and eat 6 times a day. I still have at least 1 protein shake a day and sometimes 2 if I'm low on protein for the day. Some people say no to shakes but I love them. If you don't want a meal, drink a shake. I hate breakfast so drinking a shake is so much easier for me. Good luck kay

I would love to repeat your success. Thank you for sharing.