Question:
I Need Your Help, When do I get 1/2 cup of food?

I am 3 1/2 mos post op, When I had my surgery the nuritionist told me I'll be eating one or two bites and no more but eventually I'll be able to eat 1/2 cup to one cup of food. When is this suppose to happen? I am still trying to eat no more than two or three bite of food. I drink my protein, eat two or three meal per day. I don't know if I'm eating a lot (I had so much problem the first two months that I'm scared to eat) today I calulated my caloric intake on fitday.com and it said my total calories for the day is 487, I had my protein shake, then I had a cheese toast (half) for breakfast and for dinner one piece of broil fish(about the size of a saucer) and water and 1/2 hr. later. I don't know if I'm suppose to eat 1/2 cup at six months out or 3 1/2 mos, I'm not hungry. Since I live in New York and my doctor office is in Manhattan it is very difficult to get to Manhattan because Mayor Guilliano won't let any one person cars get in, so I decided to wait till after the holidays to get to my nurtionist, at that time I'll be 4 mos post. Any help will be greatly appreciated. RNY 3 1/2 down 65 pounds,    — blank first name B. (posted on December 12, 2001)

December 12, 2001
Hey lowercase Deborah W! :) I just wanted to let you know that my nutritionist has me trying to eat 1/2 cup right now. I am just three and a half weeks post op. I can only eat about half that unless it's liquid, but that's what I'm supposed to be getting. In fact some of the menu suggestions say 4ox (1/2 cup) of meat and 1/4 cup of vegetables, and I'm like HOW am I supposed to eat that much? I guess it will come with time. Good luck to you and congrats on your weighloss so far!
   — Deborah W.

December 12, 2001
You eat what you can. DONT intentionally overeat to the point of throwing up. I KNOW most early post ops cant eat ALL the recommended food, I sure didnt and still dont eat that much, post op nearly 5 months down 98 pounds.
   — bob-haller

December 12, 2001
The Deborah W who is 3.5 weeks post op - did you have RNY? I am 7 weeks post op and I would never be able to keep down the food that your nutritionist tells you to have! Anyway - back to original question... I have found that my body tells me what I can eat and in what amount. If I eat something and I feel comfortable afterwards AND don't start to feel weak or hungry for a few hours, I think I am okay. I am having a very difficult time with introducing solids, so I make a point of having creamy soups, etc. I know I will be able to build up the solid food volume as time goes on. I don't think that the portion size is as important as making sure you get enough nutrition to survive. It may not be necessary to force down half cups of meat(especially if your pouch can't physically accept such a portion), but it probably is important to consume more than 500 calories each day - in any form you can get it in.
   — Julie S.

December 13, 2001
Hi there!! I am 5 weeks post op today, and I have slowly introduced fish, chicken and beef back into my diet. The nutritionist at my doctor's office said it should take about 10-15 mins per ounce of food. So, when dinner time rolls around I usually have 3 oz of some kind of protein and it takes me about 45 mins to finish, though I never finish everything on my plate!!!! Luckily my dog is there to help me out with all my leftovers!!! Hope that helps you out!!
   — Antonia D.