Question:
What do you think of this meal plan for 1 week post-op?

The nutritionist gave me a sample full liquid menu, to use starting day 7 post-op. It has 730 calories and about 75 g of protein. It includes 2 separate servings of skim milk, 4-6 oz each, 4 oz sf yogurt, 4 oz strained cream soup, 4 separate servings of a protein supplement at 4 oz each, 4 oz sf cocoa, and water several times a day. Isn't 730 calories too many at that point? What do you think?    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on March 31, 2003)

March 31, 2003
Well... you could TRY it, but don't be hard on yourself if you can't consume that much the first week. Just concentrate on liquids, so you don't get dehydrated. I practically lived on sugar free popsicles, crystal light, sugar free jello, and cream of chicken soup, for about 3 weeks. You may also find that you can't tolerate milk right away. Lots of us can't drink milk, but can eat cheese. Just remember to DRINK, DRINK, DRINK! You can worry about protein when you can tolerate it.
   — Diana L.

March 31, 2003
Hi Inga: In answer to your question of 730 calories...You'll find that you probably won't be able to take all those in, in the first place. And secondly...730 is a heck of a lot less than the daily average you used to take in (I'll bet my house on it). Since it is a liquid diet - your body will absorb less than it should. Go with their calorie count and if you think it is too much, than back something out of your diet. It's all up to you. You just don't want to take in too many calories when you start solid foods. It will sabotage your efforts. GOod Luck!
   — Meg T.

March 31, 2003
The first couple months, I highly doubt you will even be able to get in over 700 calories! And if you do- it's fine. SOmetimes I found that the more I ate, the more I lost. I think that plan sounds fine, just be aware that after a few months, you're going to most likely stay more away from the cream soups and things of that nature b/c of the fat or sugar, etc. Sounds fine to me though- goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

March 31, 2003
It isn't the number of calories that bother me, biuut the volume of food and high sugar foods among them. Very little nutritional value. Milk, pudding, yogurt--those are all things I don't do for good wt loss.
   — vitalady

April 1, 2003
Hi Inga, I really can't answer your question as I am pre-op but I am responding because I was also told to eat/drink milk,yogurt and pudding.I am suprised by Michelle's answer because I think very highly of all her opinions.~Michelle, can you explain more of your reasoning behind this?I know that you are very informed and would like to hear more.I am now questioning my immediate post-op diet. Can anyone clarify this for us???
   — Kelly W.

April 1, 2003
My nutritionist recommended 550-700 calories a day. I'm exactly 2 weeks post op today and can eat 750 calories a day. I was released from the hospital on soft foods and have been tolerating everything very well. Haven't hugged the bowl yet. Unlike what (it seems) everyone here seems to eat or slurp, I'm eating mostly cottage cheese, scrambled or poached egg, Atkins shakes, applesauce and eggs. Did I fail to mention eggs, yes, I eat eggs, too and more eggs. Thank God I'm not getting sick of it. Today I tried yogurt for the first time and it DEFINITELY filled me up really much faster with my egg this morning than my normal applesauce...So much so, I wasn't sure it would stay down (3 oz of yogurt with one poached egg). I'm a little worried that 700 calories is too much based on this board, but it's a helluva lot less than I was eating and I haven't had one single problem. Lost 10 lbs in first week haven't weighed in this week. Good luck.
   — msmaryk

April 1, 2003
Hiya!! I've gotta agree with Michelle on this one... My surgeon says NO!! to milk and yogurt both. Basically, his stance is "Milk is for babies" and the nutritional value provided by milk and yogurt could be better obtained elsewhere (lots of "empty" calories in both). Like Michelle said, milk and yogurt are both high in sugar (11g to 12g sugar in 8oz skim milk) and frankly, I tried milk once with a protein supplement and I was huggin' the toilet-bowl and felt awful for several hours! One thing I would throw out there is, check with the surgeon. My surgeon has overridden the recommendations of the nutritionist several times and could explain why he made the decisions he did (frankly, the nutritionist available to me was not fully educated on RNY'ers). Good Luck!
   — Dena C.

April 1, 2003
I think it all depends on the doc - my surgeon recommends milk and cheese and yogurt for snacks.
   — Toni C.