Question:
I have a question on the amount of food I'm eating 7 weeks post op

   — luvjt4 (posted on January 21, 2009)

January 21, 2009
This is quite normal. I am out 7 months and eat about 1/2 c of food or less eating small and with protein first is fine I at times especially where u are at ate 5 or 6 times a day you really should not make your self eat more you would get sick just eat until u are full. I have even quit before I was full so I would not push for the extra bite Best of luck tammi
   — Tammi Sandoval

January 21, 2009
Anemia is a common ailment for many women because of menstruation and non wls related...Being only a month post op you must have already been low to go so low so fast...WLS doesn't help at all because the most common type of iron-Ferrous Sulfate (the one that the FDA uses to fortify foods is the wrong kind for RNYers to absorb) Iron salts are absorbed in the first part of small intestines (RNY surgery BYPASSES this part of the intestines) Iron salts also need stomach acid to break down and absorb...RNYers have LITTLE stomach acid and where there is acid, iron cannot be absorbed... Usually low iron or anemia happens to RNYers at year 4 -5...I became anemic at year 4 for 6 months... It takes a while to raise your ferritin levels and I still have no idea how mine are doing (but my iron is good and so are my blood levels)...I am due for labs myself! I take a non toxic even for children, non-expensive iron called carbonyl iron that is absorbable in RNYers...I take it will Vit C as ascorbic acid and I chew them all together for best absorption.I also take 2 mg of copper capules also for absorption..Carbonyl iron does not have a metallic or bloody taste...and tastes more like dirt than anything else! LOL But with chewable vit C...It's not bad! I just wanted to let you know about it in case you are having to be on iron a long time...IRON is NOT a friendly vitamin...and so for long term use you might consider carbonyl iron in the future! Now about your food intake...It seems small, but I was the same way...and barely ate much at all my first 3 months...After 3 months I was able to eat more and more it almost scared me to death how much I could eat after eating so little so long! What did your doc say about your intake when you saw him for your anemia? I personally was only eating a few small tablespoons myself at a month and even two months...But by three months I could eat almost a half of a sandwich and nothing else... I had a hard time with the protein shakes too...I still do because of lactose intolerance...But I drank the Isopure clear bottles that I got from Vitamin Shoppe and I could handle those by sipping them as long as I could handle the flavor. I would try to get one in a day along with my little teeny meals! ...and I also took Chera-mino when I was working out hard (swimming) and busy during the summer mostly...But if you do not begin to eat more, you really need to go in and make sure you do not have a stricture...(they are somewhat common and easy to fix) It does get better though...But for some of us it's just a grumpy pouch for a while! I can't complain...I had smooth sailing for the most part, but it was not always pleasant and wonderful either! I almost dreaded eating because my pouch was always so grumpy for a while afterwards....It's all in the past now! Just a faded memory! I lost a lot of weight the first three months as well..and it slowed down month after month steadily til it stopped 15-ish months later...and I gained 8 lbs back and never lost it again! I'm happy! I kept 150 off for 5 years! 5 years today in fact! Good luck and don't be afraid to call your surgeons office if you feel something is wrong or you do not start eating at least a little more soon!
   — .Anita R.

January 21, 2009
I am 4 1/2 months out, and still have difficulty eating 1/2 cup! Concentrate on your proteins first - at 7 weeks post op I could only get maybe 1/4 cup of food down at a time. And it takes me about an hour to get down the 1/2 cup now - if I eat any faster, it hurts! Be sure your protein is very moist - chew it thoroughly and you may have to wait 3-4 minutes or so between each bite - I was told it should take between 20-60 minutes to eat a meal (longer initially, then less over time). Same with my shakes - a 12 oz protein shake takes me up to an hour - I can only sip it (which is what you are suppose to do anyway). You are doing well! Keep it up and things will get better.
   — Wendy M.

January 21, 2009
my doctor and nut recommend eating 1 ounce thru 3 months post op and 2 ounces until you reach your goal weight. i am 7 months out and eat 2-3 ounces 3 x a day. i consume about 700-900 calories. as long as you arel osing weight and not feeling hungry, eat as little as you can. the honey moon period is short..relatively speaking, so take every advantage. Our pouches do stretch out over time . Dont rush it. I am 14 pounds to goal and dont' want to eat more...but then again at 3 months I didn't want to go to 2 ounces, but after I did, my weight loss improved. I'd listen to the dr and nutritionist. Everyone has differnt amounts to lose and all are differnt body types, metabs etc...just dont' be in a hurry to eat ..in time you will be wishing for this control you have now. Learn to eat more healthily and read food labels. I hope this has helped. Good luck to you! and congrats on the loss so far! sounds like you're doing great!! hugs, Kim
   — gpcmist

January 22, 2009
I agree with the other postings. First congrats on your weight loss so far! I am four months out of RNY and I still can't eat a cup of food at a time. I just can't do it. The protein shakes get easier to get down the further along you go, so don't push it. It sounds like you are doing great. Just try to make sure you get your protein in, even if you have to split your shakes in half. Your energy level will go up. I worried about that too, but now I have lots of energy. When you go for your next appointment, if you still don't have a lot of energy, talk to your doctor about checking your blood again. You could also have a thyroid issue which will make your energy level low. That is what happened to me and now I am on med for it and I feel GREAT! Good luck and keep posting!
   — sassysis