Question:
Did I stretch my pouch?

I am getting to the pointwhere I think I'm able to eat more than I should at 9 mos out, for example, for breakfast I had coffee, light milk with one package of splenda, then for lunch I am able to eat two hot dogs with sour kraut , half buns each (very darkly toasted almost burnt) and for dinner I ate two medium bbq chicken legs at one sitting and nothing else all together to equal about 750 calories for the day. Is this to much , have I strecth my stomach..... Help    — Rebe W. (posted on June 3, 2002)

June 3, 2002
You are eating pretty lousy - but I don't think you have stretched anything. Eat smaller meals more frequently. Where are your veggies, fruits and carbs? Coffee and milk is not considered "breakfast" by anyone. I think your calorie intake is too low for someone 9 months out (I am 14 months out). Remember - you still need a balanced diet! Just make sure you don't eat so mny carbs that there is no room for protein. Make sure to take your vitamins, too.
   — M. A. B.

June 3, 2002
I agree with the previous poster - you probably haven't stretched your pouch but you aren't eating correctly either. Coffee is not breakfast. My surgeon stresses that you should have a lot of protein for breakfast. I don't do well with eggs so I have a protein bar for breakfast - it has 19g of protein so I get my day off to a good start. Some mornings, I have Carnation Instant Breakfast before I get ready for work and then have my protein bar about 9:00. That way I have had almost 30g of protein before the day has started good. Loading on protein early keeps the munchies down for me. As for your other meals, I don't know. I was told at 10 weeks post-op that I should get between 1000 and 1400 calories a day to achieve maximum loss. These calories should come from protein, vegetables and fruits. I don't count calories or carbs - I just eat mostly meats, fish, fresh veggies, fruit, cottage cheese and yogurt. I do not eat bread or pasta at all. I do know that I tried a hot dog one night (without bun) and couldn't eat the entire thing. I do eat high protein snacks - either jerky, peanuts or peanut butter and wheat thins. I hope you can find a way to eat a more balanced diet. Patty Butler Open RNY 11/29/01 -116 pounds
   — Patty_Butler

June 4, 2002
I found a way to start my mornings with a lot of protein, as my doctor suggested AND a way to get my morning 'coffee' in, for old times sakes. :) The recipe is blended like a frozen coffee - in a blender put 1/2 cup chipped ice - 2 heaping teaspoons of International Instant Vanilla Coffee (no sugar,non fat, de-caf - of course), 1 or 2 sweet n lows, 1/3 cup dry protein mix (1/3 cup of NRG brand gives me 28 gms of protein in 1 drink) and 1/2 cup water - blend to the consistency of a Wendy's Frosty - it's yum-my and you'll start your day off better than what your taking in. The morning jump with kick in your metabolism as well. Good luck to you - if your losing, you must be doing something right. :)
   — Lisa J.