Question:
portions

Exactly how much are we allowed to eat right after surgery and through the first month? What size portion cups should I be looking for. Any info will help. I'm a little confused as to how much we can have through the first month.    — cuppaloopy (posted on November 21, 2009)

November 21, 2009
I was on clear liquids for the first two weeks. Your doctor may have you on a different dietary protocol. But, one thing was for sure. I was to have ONE OUNCE at a time. They were supposed to give me a supply of little one-ounce medicine cups to use, but somehow, that never happened. So, it was a good thing that we had thought to go to the liquor store and purchase a couple of packages of Jello Shooter cups, which hold exactly one ounce. My surgeon had me drinking one ounce every half an hour. Sipping, sipping, sipping. Or eating jello, which qualifies as a clear liquid. Before surgery, I prepared about 50 or 60 of the little Jello Shooter cups full of sugar-free jello in lots of different flavors. I also bought beef and chicken broth (turned out that I liked beef broth better). Additionally, I bought lots of bottles of IsoPure ready to drink protein with 40 grams of protein, and bought probably 4 boxes of New Whey protein "bullets", which are fruit-flavored clear liquid, but they're a little thick and sweet-tart, so I put a half a bullet in a large cup of fruit-flavored herbal tea, and it actually made the tea taste nice and zingy! At two weeks, my surgeon had us transition onto "soft" foods - smooth low-fat yogurt, fat-free cottage cheese, Taco Bell refried beans, Egg Beaters, and fat-free-sugar-free pudding. Again, one ounce portions, but every two hours.... with no drinking for 15 minutes before, and half an hour after. But then, getting in all the liquid you can before you have to stop drinking again. But Barbara....your surgeon and your nutritionist really should be giving you all this information, because the way they have you eating post-operatively might be REALLY different than the way anyone else's surgeon and nutritionist have them eating. Doesn't your surgeon have required classes that you have to attend, or at the least, support groups for pre and post-op patients? If so, I highly recommend that you go to them. My surgeon gives two or three required classes that all patients have to attend prior to surgery, where we're each given a huge notebook with tabs for shopping lists, dietary instructions per week, question and answers, articles on the different surgeries, first aid concerns, and all kinds of stuff. I STILL go to the support groups. They are held once a month, and you can even attend more if you want, by going to other locations than the hospital, or joining in on a support group conference call.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

November 21, 2009
That was good advice Barbara, but you didn't say what kind of surgery you had. One thing that was not said, is that people's tolerances can vary widely per individual. From the first day I could eat sweet things, just limited to what was allowed, although on the day of the surgery I tasted my wife's apple cobbler from her guest tray. No effect at all. I was good after that, and as I transitioned I found I could eat the hottest chili peppers, strong coffee, tea, etc. Now, after 16 months, I can eat fried foods, chili, etc...but I don't really want them. What I CAN'T tolerate are things like wieners, sausage, some pork products, though pork steaks, chops, ham, bacon isn't a problem. Eat and love Pizza. Can't eat peanut butter, waffles, pancakes, some breads but love sourdough grilled cheese sandwiches...it just depends on the individual, it really does. So I would say, follow the guidelines and if you have questions, your surgeon and his staff have been well paid for the surgery, so ask them. I couldn't tolerate milk and had a restricted esophagus, so I was told to substitute other things as I could tolerate them. I did, I do, and am thankful to Dr. Chapman for his infinite patience with me. Lol Good luck with your journey to your new life.
   — Dusty Ray Vaughn

November 21, 2009
You will not want to eat, believe me, it is unreal. You must get in 60 grams of protein a day and 64oz of water, this is a must. I follow the diet to the "T" that my Dr gave me, if you are going to do this MAJOR surgery do yourself a favor and follow what the Dr and the NUT tells you to do.
   — FSUMom

November 21, 2009
Hi And congrats on starting this journey! From everything I have read on this sight, every clinic has different rules. At my clinic you are liquids for 1 week and then soft foods (stage 2) for another 3-4 depending on your progress. Everyine heals and tolerates at differnt rates. But the amount they suggest is 1 ounce per meal 3 times a day...no snacking. Stop drinking 30 mins before meals, nothing during meals and wait 45-60 mins after meals to begin drinking. Not doing this is the biggest reason most people re gain their weight back later on down the road. Go to support groups in your area. They claim that 95% of people who attend group keeps the weight off more than 5 years. I want everyone to be successful, so find a group you like and go regularly. You will find a comradery with the people there, as they are either going thru this with you, or have been there. Good luck to you and God Bless! hugs,Kim
   — gpcmist

November 23, 2009
You should be on total liquids for the first month or so at the least. Your pouch is still very tender and swollen and sore. It isn't ready for food yet and won't be for another 2-3 months. There are four phases of food: liquid, thick liquids, pureed/soft (same thing), solids. So you should be drinking liquids as often as you can. Set a minute timer for every 5 minutes and sip, sip, sip. You won't be able to fit much in your pouch at one time, so take it slow and you will be able to work your way up. Try to alternate your liquids and your protein since your protein is a liquid, say for the first 2 oz will be liquids, then 4oz of protein, so you get both in. (as an example) Let me know if you need further help with this. I will be more than happy to assist you. Just don't eat any food right now. All clear liquids.
   — Kristy

November 24, 2009
I have had problems with this as well. I had lap-band surgery on 11/6. Out of surgery I was to have 1oz of liquids every 15 min with one of the servings being protein (Isopure). I do think I still felt hungry. After I got home it was all liquid diet for the first 5 days and for some reason I don't remember the portions or how often I ate (drank). After the 5th day I started the soft food diet which I was happy for. So I was eating 1oz portions refried beans, cottage chees, yougart, string cheese and pudding every 2 hours. I was starving and freaking out. So, I took a look at my reference materials and found out that I can have 1-4oz servings every 2-3 hours. That helped a lot but I've still been hungry. I have recently started eating canned chicken with teryaki sause or italian dressing on it. That has helped a lot more with hunger but I'm still hungry. I can't wait for my first fill on Dec 14. I hope this helps. =)
   — bluefrogs53