What do you eat?

I have some questions about meals.

How many ounces is normal to eat 4 weeks post op? How do you get your protein, starch and veggies in one meal? Do you cook your own foods? What kind of seasonings do you use? How do you take a few ounces and make it a 20 minute meal? My best time is 15 minutes. How do you deal with severe constipation? 

I see my doctor tomorrow. But, I'm having some trouble getting an appt. With my nut. 

Thanks

I was eating around 2-3 ounces per meal at that point.  I was just transitioning from pureed foods to soft foods. 

I don't get protein, starch and veggies all in one meal, since I pretty much just eat protein and veggies.  I didn't start having space for veggies until I could reliably get all of my protein in.  That happened once I could eat about 4 ounces per meal.  

I cook my own foods.  I post my meal plans to my blog every week and cook those things for dinners. Then I eat leftovers for lunch and a protein shake for breakfast.  

I put my fork down between bites and chew really slowly.  I also talk with my dinner companions so I'm not just eating.  

I use Miralax in my breakfast shake pretty much every day now.  Once I had to use a Fleet Enema - that sucked.  

Do you make your own protein shakes? The premade ones are so sweet to me. I'd like to do something a little less sweet.

Here's a list of my shake and how it has changed since I started -- https://www.myvsg.net/2-uncategorised/183-frankenshake

I don't like super sweet drinks, never have, but I find that the Optimum Nutrition Double Rich Chocolate is a darker tasting chocolate than most shakes, so it's not so sweet.  

My tummy was swollen so I could only eat about 1 to 2 ounces per meal at 4 weeks, but this is exceptionally small.  I ate only dense protein until I had enough room to add veggies after eating 3 to 3.5 ounces of protein.  I didn't add starches until I was in maintenance, and I still hold it to one serving a day.

I'd suggest getting your protein and water in first, and then add the others in time.

Carol

I'm almost 7 weeks out and last night for dinner I was able to eat 2 oz. of grilled salmon and 1/2 C of canned green beans. I only eat grains a few times per week and can't eat them with protein and veggies or fruit.

My plan calls for up to  (3) 1 oz. servings meat/protein, (2)  1 cup servings of dairy, (2) 1/2 C servings of veggies, (1) 1/2 C serving of fruit, (1) 1/2 C serving of whole grains and 2-3 protein shakes per day. I can't get all this in at this point. I usually have a protein or dairy at each meal with a "side" of grain, fruit or veggie and then have 2 protein shakes a day.

Two ounces was about all I could get in at that stage. I would weigh it out in a small rice bowl I picked up in Chinatown. I would eat with a small spoon.

During the soft phase I was eating things like ground beef with taco seasonings and cheese. I would eat ricotta pie (think the insides of a calzone, baked in a pie dish) and yogurt. Ground sausage. Crustless quiche.

I had no room for vegetables. And I don't eat starches. You don't need starches and you will lose better without them.

For severe constipation, Miralax is your best bet IMO and according to my doctor. Just be aware it can take a day or two to work.

I knit while I eat (still do). One row of a sock, take a bite. You HAVE to eat slowly or you will be in pain. 

At 4 weeks post op I wasn't counting food. My plan still had me on puree foods. Constipation was a big issue for me too that early out. Miralax did not work for me. Someone turned me on to Arbonne Fiber and I've been using is religiously in my protein shake every day and I love how it works! Good luck, seems like we all have different remedies for constipation. Christine