Question:
Please tell me if you think my diet is good

Hi: I am three weeks post op lap rny today. I was hoping that some of you good people could tell me if you think my diet is OK. For the first week I was on clear liquids per doctor's orders. For the last two weeks my basic diet has been: Liquid protein in crystal light for breakfast, sometimes ricotta cheese or creamed soup for lunch, and a protein shake for dinner. I am also eating sugar free frozen pops and sugar free fudgesicles in between. My water intake has always been 64 ozs at the minimum from the day I got out of the hospital. Today I am permitted to graduate to chicken and fish, but as of yet, I have no desire to try those. Because I do not have a car, even before surgery at my highest weight I was able to walk from 1-8 miles per day, depending on what I had to do. I am so exausted now, that I am lucky to do 1-1 1/2 miles per day, although I force myself to exercise every day. After recovering from the initial horrible pain, the exaustion seems to be the worst thing of all. What do you guys and gals think. Oh, I went to the doctor's office last night, and have lost from 226 to 211. I know this is much lower than many other posts, but I am happy and content, and know that more will be lost if I continue to persevere. Thanks to all. This site and all of you have been wonderful.    — Grace H. (posted on September 11, 2002)

September 11, 2002
I think you need to up your protein, have you tried yogart, sugar free, low fat string cheese, having a hard boiled egg on hand at all times. as far as the walking goes i didnt walk that much and only in the last week or so have i been able to go 2 miles - almost 3 mths post op. -61lbs good luck and keep on walking
   — paulsgirl

September 11, 2002
I think your diet sounds a lot like mine. I know I am lacking more in protien, though. I am lucky to get one protien drink in because I hate the taste of all the ones I've tried. To give you some variety, I will tell you some things I am doing. You had said that the chicken and such are a little too much for you right now. Try Gerber graduates... they have little meat strips that are pretty good if you can't handle the real things...they are a little bit softer. I also have cottage cheese, sugar free yogurt, and I also mixed up some deviled eggs and am just eating the centers. I used miracle whip light, mustard and a little vinegar and salt and pepper. It has a lot of protien. Good on the water... I am also jealous as I often forget to drink my water. I think you are doing really good. Don't forget to add calcium, too. You can have Tums to add calcium or they told me to take Viactive.. the calcium chews for women. Or up your drinking of milk. You can't go without your calcium or else you will have some problems later. Just some things for thought!
   — sammygirlwpc

September 11, 2002
Just a reminder: If you've had an RNY, you MUST use calcium citrate. Calcium carbonate (TUMS, Viactiv, many other popular calcium tablets) will NOT be absorbed. My own dr told me to take Viactiv. I found out after 6 months that our rearranged digestive systems have bypassed the duodenum where calcium carbonate is absorbed.
   — ctyst

September 11, 2002
What kinds of protein are you taking? Perhaps the quality is not there in the protein? Or the total is still too low?
   — vitalady

September 11, 2002
Hi: I am the original poster of this question. Thank you all so much for your answers. I am actually getting the recommended 55 grams of protein per day: 24 grams from liquid protein, 30 grams from protein shake and the other gram from ricotta cheese or creamed soup. I was put on Tums, and did not realize that it is calcium citrate that your body needs. I don't think my doctor's office knows this either. Love ya all, and thanks again.
   — Grace H.