Question:
Iam 3 weeks post op. My Dr suggests from the beginning that you only eat 3 meals a
day and one snack. I see where many of you eat 5-6 meals a day. My dr said that this will stretch your pouch. But I find myself hungry at times what should I do. — SINDI W. (posted on July 6, 2003)
July 6, 2003
Well of course you should always listen to your surgeon! With that said
lol...I would like to know HOW eating more than three times a day would
stretch the pouch? If you were to eat too much too often it could (though
even that is highly over-rated), but eating 4 to 6 times a day - no
research has shown that to stretch anything. There are days I only eat 3
times a day but normally it's more like 4 to 6 small meals. You kind of
have to research this and make the best decision for you. Doctors don't
know everything (unfortunately!). Good luck!
— [Deactivated Member]
July 6, 2003
I'm not going to say that you shouldn't listen to your surgeon, but how are
you going to meet your protein requirements on 3 meals a day? Unless he
expects you to supplement the rest of your protein needs with drinks. I'm
4 months out and I've been eating 5-6 times a day since I was three weeks
post op. No stretched pouch here, I'm careful that I don't over eat and I
live on high protein foods. My Dr. stresses to meet your protein
requirements daily, how I go about meeting those requirements are up to me.
3/12/03 280/193/150 best wishes,
— Heather S.
July 6, 2003
Here's another vote for 5-6 tiny meals. If you took the food you are
having in 3 meals and split them each in half, you would absolutely not be
stretching your pouch - in fact you'd be giving it less of a load to deal
with at a time. I would do some regular medical research - I don't know
how anyone can eat about 6 hours apart and not be hungry - doesn't seem
like anyone can keep that with that kind of regimen.
— bethybb
July 6, 2003
I eat 5-6 small meals a day (although usually I substitute a Nectar protein
shake for one of those). I've been doing this for about 5 years - ever
since I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes pre-op. My nutritionist says
that eating this way keeps the blood sugar levels more on an even keel and
prevents to wild blood sugar swings that can drive us to eat more than we
should...JR (open RNY 07/17/02 -181 pounds)
— John Rushton
July 6, 2003
This is my two cents. My surgeon said 3 meals a day, no snacking, period.
Ok, I listen for the most part, but sometimes, my body says YOU MUST EAT,
or I get weak and shaky. Saturday, I was out and about and I felt that
way. I could only find jerky as a good snack alternative (about 3:00
p.m.). I ate some of it, and come dinner time, I could only eat 3 bites,
and got sick. Your post op body will tell you when to and not to eat, if
you listen closely. This is something totally new to me, as before a beef
jerky would not have phased me, but the thing our moms use to say to us as
children now applies... "don't eat that, or you'll ruin your
dinner". As far as eating 3 meals a day and listening to your
surgeon, that is important, but you will eventually learn to listen to your
body (not your head) and know for yourself when you should eat. Again...
that was my two cents. Have a great week.
— Happy I.
July 6, 2003
MY SURGEON SAID THE REASON WE NEED TO EAT 5 TO 6 TIMES A DAY, AND THIS
INCLUDES YOUR PROTEIN SHAKES, IS BECAUSE YOUR BODY CAN ONLY ABSORB SMALLER
AMOUNTS SINCE THE GASTRIC BYPASS IS SO YOU WONT ABSORB ALL THAT YOU EAT.
THE PROTEIN HELPS YOUR BODY STAY STRONG AND GET RID OF THE STORED FAT. BUT
YOU HAVE TO EAT PROTEIN MORE FREQUENTLY BECAUSE PROTEIN TAKES LONGER TO
ABSORB, SO YOU LOSE SOME OF IT. HOPE THAT HELPS.
— robin E.
July 6, 2003
Ask your surgeon for clarification! Mine says only 3 meals a day (2 oz.
each) while in the losing phase. Once goal is reached, then I can add a
meal or two to maintain my weight. However, those 3 meals do not include
my protein shakes or other liquids. Good luck!
— Rachel T.
July 6, 2003
I could not imagine eating only 3 x a day. I eat 5-6 times a day which
includes one protein shake and the rest real food and always feel okay. My
meals are not big enough to satisfy me if I only ate 3x a day. I'd be
hungry and miserable all the time. I didn't have this surgery to be hungry
and miserable all the time. In the past month I've added vigorous exercise
to the mix and have had to up my nutritional intake. I couldn't do that
either on 3 meals a day. It wouldn't be possible to get enough in in one
meal. To me that would be the danger of stretching the pouch, to stuff it
with a large meal rather than several smaller ones. I'm not sure anyone is
even straight on this "stretching your pouch" business. Some
people don't even believe in it at all.
— susanje
July 7, 2003
My surgeon started me out on three meals a day and at about 6 months I
started being hungry all the time. At that point, he told me to snack when
I felt hungry - but to be sure that it was healthy food, preferably
protein. I had lost 120 pounds at that point and he realized that I was
going to do ok. I think at first they doctors are concerned that we will
get into a grazing mode and eat constantly. That doesn's stretch the pouch
but it allows us to take in more calories than we need. If I were you, I'd
talk to my doctor about the hunger you are feeling. I know my surgeon
tailors his after care for each patient - it's not a one size fits all
program.
— Patty_Butler
July 7, 2003
Hi, I am restricted to 3 meals a day and 1 snack, but if you are hungry,
have sosme protein. It is not going to hurt you. MaryLyn
— Kriola
July 7, 2003
I was told to only have three meals a day plus my protein drinks. I am
about 4 months out and am still not hungry for any more food then that.
— Marcy S.
July 7, 2003
My doc tried to chew me a new one the last time I went for a visit. I eat 5
meals a day. If I don't, I get sick when it does come time to eat and throw
up. I even expalined this to him. I have set times that I eat, I don't eat
ouside of them, and I watch my portion size. I'm 10 weeks out, and steadily
loosing. I've lost 45 bls since surgery. I have at 7:30 am, scrambled egg,
boiled egg or string cheese. Something quick and easy I can eat in the car
most of the time. At 10, I have an oz of peanuts or peanut butter on a
slice of peeled apple or trail mix ( i found this great mix that has no
sodium or added sugar, and 1.5 oz has about 150 cals with 15 g protien) or
half of a protien bar. Lunch at 2 is usualy 2 oz of fish and 1 tbsp
veggies, or chicken or turkey with slice of tomato and 1 harvest crisp
(fairly lg multigrain cracker). at 4:45, I'll have the other half of
protien bar or whatever left over from my snack mid morning, and for dinner
at 7, ususaly 2-2.5 oz of fish or chicken or turkey and small piece of
fruit. Before bed, I usualy have 4 or 5 oz 1% sweet acedolophius milk. (My
iron has to be taken with food, and I've found milk does better.) It's
worked good for me so far, and keeps me from getting hungry. I don't graze,
and don't eat outside those times. My doc wants me to get into the habit of
eating only 3x/day, but can't seem to wrap his mind around the fact I have
low blood sugar, and get sick if I don't, and there is no way I can get in
all my protien either. My nutritionist approved my diet, and she has been
working with wls pts for about 5 yrs now. My adivce, find a wls frendly
nutritionist and follow the diet he/she recommends. Also, eating 5 sm meals
a day won't stretch your pouch. Only if you are eating 4-6 oz per meal will
stretch it out. Food will complety move through our pouches in about an
hour and a half. Good luck!!
— mellyhudel
July 7, 2003
My dr says eat only when you're hungry. Unfortunately, I very seldom get
hungry. I think my metabolism slows down if I don't eat regularly. So I
have hot tea w/milk around 7, 1/2 protein bar mid-morning, lunch around 2,
dinner around 6 or 7, and small snack around 9. I'm 3 1/2 mos out and
still can't eat more than half a cereal bowl full at once (usually less).
I eat slowly and know when I'm full. When I was eating only when I was
hungry, my weight loss dropped to 1 - 1 1/2 pounds a week. Now I'm losing
3 - 3 1/2 lbs per week. Still not a lot, but I'm comfortable with that.
So be a little flexible, but don't go overboard.
— lharbison
July 8, 2003
hello- i just want to put my 2 cents in too. my Dr & my nutritionist
both say 3 meals a day, plus 1 snack. they told me it is not because of
stretching your pouch, but it creates old eating habbits again. if you sit
and eat 3 a day, your body learns that is meal time- (and eventually will
not get hungry in between meals)and you shouldn't graze all day, that is
how you gain weight. eating a little all day (grazing) is forbidden on his
plan, forever. no new posties or oldies :o) i wish it were... i find i
usually do eat 4 small meals a day with 1 snack, but i am trying to cut
back to 3. it is hard! try and follow your Dr's advice. hope this helps.
good luck.
— heather S.
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