Calorie Intake......

I was hoping someone can tell me what an average calorie intake is for around two weeks post op. I'm not getting too much activity as I'm still healing, but I get a walk in every now and then. Can anyone help?! Cheers! Lorraine

Lorraine - I think it varies as to "average" but in general I guestimate around 400-500 a day initially. By the time I went back to work at a couple months out I was eating around 700-800 a day. Now I can eat a heck of a whole lot more than what I need, so I have to be careful. I stalled for a couple of months around a year out because I was eating too much to lose. I haven't figured up the calorie count lately but I do believe I have to stay well under 1500 a day to lose. Depends on the person though... Dina

For the first few weeks, from experience, try to stay under 450 a day. First month: During the first month after surgery, your stomach and the opening into your intestines are swollen and very small. You will be able to eat only very limited amounts of food. It is important that you concentrate on eating the most important foods for healing: PROTEINS. All proteins must be very soft, moist, and well chewed in order to pass through your new little stomach successfully. If you eat too fast or too much, it will feel like heartburn and may cause you to become sick, so be careful. Grocery list of Protein Foods: 1. Cottage Cheese (low-fat or non-fat). 2. Yogurt (low-fat, non-fat, plain, or artificially sweetened). 3. String cheese 4. Eggs (any style, limit yolks). 5. Tofu 6. Refried beans 7. Lentil or black bean soup 8. Fish (soft and moist). 9. Small amounts of cooking spray 10. Small amounts of non-fat mayonnaise or mustard to moisten food. Just for good measure, I included the link which is http://www.misila.org/Misi/FAQ.asp There is a protein pudding out by Sylvester Stallone... you can read about it at http://www.fitflex.com/instone-protein-pudding-review.html or http://www.instonenutrition.com/ But they have the same kind of thing at GNC and Bariatriceating http://store.bariatriceating.com/proteinpudding.html Or why not buy some tasteless protein supplement and make your own? Add it to anything, really. http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/any.html By the way... protein requirement? http://www.unjury.com/reg/calculator.shtml I'm not promoting the BARIATRICEATING.com site, but did find these and thought I would share: When winter comes.. http://store.bariatriceating.com/neelpr.html Cookies http://store.bariatriceating.com/sufrpi.html Chocolate craving? I used this even BEFORE surgery when I catered. You can buy it and similar products in regular grocery stores. http://store.bariatriceating.com/sasusufrmomi.html ........... Just as a reminder, here are Dr. Aguirre's Dietary Guidelines... Dr. Aguirre's Post Operative Instructions General Instructions Never eat between meals Eat only 3 meals a day Eat for only 15 minutes or until full - which ever comes first Do not eat to full capacity Never take aspirin - take Tylenol No pills for at least a month No condiments for a month (salt & pepper etc.) No ice cream, soda or coffee Soft food diet for one month No eggs for two weeks Day After Release Drink water all day long (no food) Remember to sip water slowly Day Two after Release(and rest of month) You can eat 2-3 ounces only Soft foods only Low-fat yogurt, 1% Milk, Low-fat cottage cheese, Juice, Cream of wheat, soft fruits like banana, sugar free jello, toast(no butter), broth (no vegetables), mashed potatoes Can also drin**** tea sweetened with Splenda or Nutrasweet and/or Crystal Light Do not sit in same position for more than 1 and ½ hours Vitamins Start 2 weeks after surgery (liquid form) Vitamin C (daily) B Complex (every other day) Multivitamin (daily) They are his guidelines as provided upon departure, but an electronic copy can be found at http://www.katsjourney.com/postopinstructions.html You might also find these links VERY helpful from Kat's site http://www.katsjourney.com/stageonediet.html http://www.katsjourney.com/stage2diet.html

Pat, Thank you soooooo much for all the info. you gave me. I've copied it and will keep it handy in the kitchen!!! Thanks again!! I really appreciate it! Cheers! Lorraine

And just for good measure, again... How do you create your own Protein Supplement Recipes? With flavorful additions like: Sugar-free drinks--any Kool-aid or Crystal Light flavors Extracts - imitation flavors and real flavor extracts also bolster supplement taste. However, if you use extracts that contain alcohol, limit the amount you use to 1 1/2 teaspoons per beverage because alcohol contains wasted calories. Remain limited to the following low calorie extracts (calories per teaspoon): Black Walnut - 4 Chocolate - 7 Coconut - 8 Vanilla, imitation - 3 Pineapple - 6 Vanilla - 8 Maple - 6 High Power Pudding - mix one small pack of sugar-free pudding (chocolate, vanilla, or pistachio) to 2 cups of skim milk and 1/2 cup of non-fat dry milk and chill. One 1/2 cup serving provides 9.5 grams of protein and 120 calories as mixed. Protein Pudding - mix one vanilla protein supplement with approx. two ounces less liquid than directions call for. Next, add three tablespoons of your favorite sugar-free, fat-free instant pudding and five ice cubes. Blend at high speed for 60 seconds and enjoy. Orange Pudding - 3 ounces of boiling water, 1 1/2 teaspoons (2/3 envelope) orange flavored sugar-free gelatin, 7 ounces of sugar-free TANG and your protein powder. Mix well and chill. Fruit Cubes - 1 cup of heated diet soda (not boiling) to one envelope of unflavored gelatin. Then mix in your protein powder and 1/2 cup of cold diet soda and pour into an ice tray and chill. Eat all the cubes as one serving. Slush Recipes Designing your own -- Mixing instructions 1. Pour 3 ounces of fluid into a measuring cup. Add ice until fluid line reaches 12-ounces. 2. Pour ice mixture into blender. 3. Add flavoring and protein powder. 4. Blend on low speed 2 to 3 seconds with quick pulses, then blend on high speed until mixture is the consistency of slush. Raspberry Slush - 6 ounces of sugar-free raspberry flavored fruit tea and ice to 1/2 teaspoon of rum flavoring and protein powder. Blend and serve. Hot Beverages Designing your own -- Mixing instructions 1. Mix dry ingredients together. 2. Hea****er until steaming, either in a saucepan or microwave. Do not boil. 3. Add 9 fluid ounces of ho****er to the dry ingredients. 4. Immediately mix with spoon until powder is completely dissolved. 5. Do not use a blender or shaker as hot liquids may splash and burn. 6. Do not mix protein powder and water prior to cooking in microwave as this will cause lumps to form. Coca - mix 1 teaspoon of cocoa to 2 packets of Equal sweetener, a dash of cinnamon and 9 ounces of water to chocolate or vanilla protein powder. Peppermint Coca - 1 teaspoon of cocoa, 1 teaspoon of chocolate flavoring, 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint extract, a dash of cinnamon and 3 packets of Equal sweetener to 9 ounces of water and vanilla or chocolate protein powder. Mousses Designing your own -- Mixing instructions 1. Mix 1/2 cup boiling water into gelatin. Stir vigorously with wire whip until dissolved. 2. Add remaining ingredients to gelatin mixture. 3. Mix well. 4. Pour into container with tight fitting lid. 5. Put in freezer until set and very cold, but not frozen. 6. Mix with electric mixer on high speed until peaks form and mixture is lightly fluffy. 7. Serve at once. 8. Due to the increased caloric content of these mousse recipes limit to one per day. Chocolate Mint Mousse - 1/2 cup boiling water, 1/2 envelope (1-1/8) Knox unflavored gelatin to 2 packets of equal sweetener. A dash of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of creme de menthe extract to 1/2 cup of water and chocolate protein powder. Chocolate Almond Mousse - 1/2 cup boiling water, 1/2 envelope (1-1/8) Knox unflavored gelatin to 2 packets of equal sweetener. A dash of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of cocoa, 1/4 teaspoon of pure almond extract to a 1/2 cup of water and chocolate protein powder. All taken from the site http://www.misila.org/Misi/FAQ.asp

Lorraine, How are you feeling? I am mostly a lurker but sure do miss reading your post. They are always so uplifting. Come on girl, don't leave us loser-wanna bes out here alone with no humor. Waiting for a good laugh, Robbin

Here's something uplifting..... I was in my pajamas and standing in my kitchen the other day, when my son rushes in with bandaids stuck all over him. As I was turning around to look at him, he pulls my pajama pants down and starts seaching for my incision. He finds it and starts making ambulance siren sounds and sticking bandaids all over my stomach! Gotta love kids!!! Cheers! Lorraine

how cute, kids sure do the funniest things.