Question:
Could someone please post what your daily diet looks like post-op?

Just went to the "cattle call" info session today. Have my consult on Sept 4th. The dietician insists on 6 meals (4 of the 6 are to be protein) a day and 64oz of water. As a teacher, I'd like to know just how to plan my day to fit those in (with no water 20 mins before and after the meals). Please post how you worked your plan the first month or two after surgery. What was your diet and time schedule like? Thanks.    — Mary Ann B. (posted on August 19, 2002)

August 19, 2002
For breakfast I normally have yogurt (8 ounces) or four ounces yogurt and 1/2 cup Special K with berries. I have problem getting lunch in, but when I do it is usually either eight ounces yogurt, four ounces cottage cheese, or a banana. Dinner is usually six/seven ounces of Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice or Stouffers (meat first). I also do two protein drinks during the day (or one drink, one protein bar. I hope this helps
   — Lisa N M.

August 19, 2002
I am a teacher and this was my diet... (as best as I remember it). For breakfast I ate Cheerios and a banana with skim milk or maybe some oatmeal or cream of wheat. I brought to work 5 crackers with healthy choice meat and cheese and made mini sandwiches that I ate over 30 minutes. I drank my water 30 minutes after meals and was perfectly fine. Once I was more confident I began bringing frozen dinners to work. One time I got so sick. I was green in front of the whole class. About 20 minutes or so after lunch I ran out of the room and took care of my business.... The teachers assumed I was pregnant and the kids thought I got fired because my eyes were tearing... LOL That was my worst experience with food disagreeing with me in two years...My advice: play it safe at work and eat foods that you know agree with you. Enjoy the ride!
   — Jeannet

August 19, 2002
Mine varies from day to day. I'm trying to follow The Zone Diet, but sometimes I veer a little!! Typically, my day goes like this: BREAKFAST: 1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese, Egg White, 5 Almonds 1/2 an Apple OR 8 oz yogurt & 1/ C Cottage Cheese. MORNING SNACK: 1/2 oz to 1 oz Beef Jerky LUNCH: Frozen Lunch (Health Choice) or 1/4 cottage cheese and 1/2 Turkey w/cheese on a slice of toasted Rye...OR 3 oz tuna w/1/2 teaspoon of Mayo and a Roma tomato AFTERNOON SNACK: Crackers and Lunch meat DINNER: 1/2 Grilled Chicken Breast w/lettuce and light dressing on the side, OR 5-6 Shrimp Sauteed w/Mushrooms and butter spray LATE NIGHT SNACK: Either some Beef Jerky or a popsicle. All throughout the day I get in 80-96 oz.s water. I have kidney stones so I need to keep hydrated! I don't always have my 3 snacks, but I try to, just to get all my protein in!
   — Rosario T.

August 19, 2002
OK, mine's a little odd, but the general pattern is what my docs recommend. FIRST thing, 30g protein supp (4 T = 30g of yucky stuff, Cheramino, then some fruit or toast, sometimes half protein bar. 30g protein supp shake, then lunch (usually fast food). 30g protein supp shake, then snack, usually fruit, might be bread & cheese or this week it's carrots & celery--I go thru phases. 30g protein supp shake, dinner--whatever normal is. Tonight was Chinese. Later, 30g protein supp and probably one more before bed. I drink water in between there & takes vites with my sold food meals. I DID do 6 teensy meals at first, though. I took a tuna sandwich to work, cut into quarters and bagged separately. So, I ate that 1/4 sandwich, 2-3 chips for my "meal". Sometimes cottage cheese. Or 1 h/b egg. I did not do raw fruits or veggies early on. The only things I avoid (then or now) are milk & sugar.
   — vitalady