Question:
Eating to much???Not enough????

I was told by my dietician to measure my food the first year. That would be 2 oz, 6 times a day. I see alot of posts that say they ate a whole piece of lunch meat on a 1/2 slice of bread with tomato. That fills a cup. Have your pouches stretched? For sucess they said measure. I see alot of posts that don't. Will I be safe? It does not sound like near enough compared to what I have been seeing. I am just 4 weeks away please help??    — cookiedough (posted on October 21, 2003)

October 21, 2003
Regina, at four weeks, that sounds about right. I'm guessing that your dietitian will change the amounts of food as you progress. I can't imagine continuing to eat only two ounces for a meal much past the third month. I eat four times a day, and this is a typical menu for me at nearly seven months out: breakfast: 20 ounces of Rocamojo soy coffee substitute (26 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, YUM!) followed an hour and a half later with two slices of deli meat rolled up with a slice of cheese; lunch: 1/3 to 1/2 cup of tuna salad (or three ounces of meat) and 2 3 1/2 inch pieces of celery or 4 green beans; afternoon snack: 1/4 to 1/3 cup of nuts, or two ounces of cheese; dinner: similar to lunch. It's a good idea to measure your food, especially if portion control was a pre-op problem. It's easy to get complacent and overestimate what a tablespoon or 1/2 cup is. I'll be surpised if the 2 ounces isn't eventually upped to 4 ounces. If the dietitian doesn't change it, and you do feel hungry (or can't get enough protein and fiber in), then ask her about it. She's the professional. Best wishes.
   — Vespa R.

October 21, 2003
I always advise following your professional's advice, but I have to say, IF I'd eaten that little daily for a year, I'd not be anywhere near the 200 pound loss I've had in 14 months! I think it depends on how heavy you are when you start out (how much you have to lose) as to how many calories your body needs to feel 'secure' enough to let go of the fat. Mine needs between 1000 and 1300 calories - or thereabouts to lose. Less than that and I plateau and more than that and I worry I'd gain or stall out. You kind of have to play and see what works for you. Every body IS different and these cookie cutter diets that are passed out are (in my very humble opinion) merely a map to a destination, not something that is poured in concrete. It's no different that the pediatricians who told me to only feed my baby breast milk or formula for the first YEAR! Ack, my babies would have starved. I put them on cereal by 3 months when they were starting to demand a bottle every hour to keep the hungries at bay. A year of liquids is rediculous for a baby and I wasn't going to follow what I considered a diet concieved for ALL children equally, when we all know how different kids are. Anyway, off my soapbox lol. Good luck to YOU!
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 21, 2003
My doctor and nutritionist also has me eating 2 oz. meals 6 times a day. I weigh and measure everything except those meals I eat in restaurants. Two ounces usually fill me up, and when it doesn't, I DON'T eat till I'm full. If I wait 10-15 minutes, I find I don't feel the need to eat more. My surgeon, who has done these surgeries for 15+ years, says if I can continue to eat 2 ounce (4 Tablespoon) meals, 6 times daily, I'll remain thin. Hope this helps.
   — MissPriss

October 22, 2003
That's so cute that you think someone who eats 1/2 slice of bread with one piece of deli meat and a tomato slice has stretched their pouch! It wouldn't work for a NEW post-op, but is about right for several months out. That amount of food does not constitute one cup of anything. It seems like you may be alittle scared and unsure about the plan that has been outlined for you. All I can tell you is that you have to do what works for you. There is no cookie cutter solution for this. Follow your order as closely as possible, but adjust as necessary. This is real life, not a science project. Good luck to you and try not to be too nervous. I was flying by the seat of my pants for the first few months just trying to figure it all out.
   — LMCLILLY