Question:
I am 9 days post op open RNY ..How much should I be eatting in a day?

My doctor told me that I can eat soft foods. I can seem to only eat 3 teaspoonfuls of food once or twice a day. I also drink a lot of water. Is this enough for my body? I do take a mulitvitamin everyday.    — Debbie S. (posted on April 5, 2002)

April 5, 2002
Hi Debbie, I am 16 days post-op LAP RNY. I can not imagine only eating 3tsp of food 1x-2x/day. How are you getting in your protein? I am certainaly not an expert on this but from what I have researched most people are doing either all liquids or pureed foods by now and putting away about 2oz or 1/4c about 6x/day. I sure could be wrong, and I'll be anxious to see what others post to your question. I would check with your doc about this. I don't want to see you harm yourself. I wish you all the best. Debbie
   — Deborah F.

April 5, 2002
This is DEFINATELY not enough to sustain life for your body. You need to eat about 800 calories a day. If you continue eating the amount of food you are, your body will shut down and go into starvation mode and you wont lose ANY weight. Try eating 6 to 8 times a day. I would eat plain peanut butter off a spoon for the calories and protein.
   — Patty H.

April 5, 2002
I was still on full liquids at day 9- creamed soups, yogurt, puddings, protein shakes. Try egg drop soup-strained. It tasted the best to me early on. It was 3 weeks before I started on a soft diet-For a soft food diet, try soft scrambled eggs with melted cheese, applesauce, peanut butter, and mashed potatoes. Also steamed white fish is good and has lots of protein. As for calories, my doc said that at 2 weeks, 200 calories-at 3 weeks, 300 calories. The last poster talked about 800 calories. I think eventually, but for now, just concentrate on getting in your protein. I would try to eat more often though, like 3 or 4 times a day.
   — Cindy R.

April 5, 2002
When I was 9 days post op I was still on full liquids and lived on Cream of Mushroom soup made with skim milk and strained. I managed to get in about 1/2 C 6X/day. As far as calories go...I am almost 4 mos post op and I still don't get in 800 calories on many days. If I get busy and don't eat my snacks, I usually get 700 cals. The other poster is right though...when you are later post op, you will need to try to get at least 800 cals/day or your weight loss may slow down.
   — Karen B.

April 5, 2002
If you are also taking 2 multis, some calcium citrate & some protein supps, this probably is enough solid food for now. Priorities for us here: protein supp, water, vites & food if we get to it.
   — vitalady