Question:
7 days post-op and can eat a small poached egg despite a 1.5oz pouch --- is this OK?

I haven't tried eating more than that - too scared. Also food is easier than liquid at the moment - is that common?    — Seans M. (posted on June 28, 2001)

June 28, 2001
RNY? Are you concerned that you are eating too much or too little? Also, please tell me that you ARE getting plenty of fluids in?
   — vitalady

June 28, 2001
cant say if its normal or not but I can eat a small fried egg also and I am 9 days post op. I was told 2 ounces max and the egg fits in my 2 ounces measuring cup with rooom to spare. Tell me what you find out, hey email me and we can learn some of this newbie stuff together.
   — Ronda L.

June 29, 2001
Please, please, please don't try to eat more than the doctor advised. You can stretch out your pouch and can even put undo pressure on the suture line. Just remember, just because you can eat more--DON'T. Try your hardest these first six months to follow the rules. After learning how to use your pouch after 6 months it will be just routine. Your fluids are more important followed by your protein. If you consume alot of protein and don't drink enough fluids your kidneys will fail. Also remember to wait before during and after you eat before taking fluids. you have been granted a second chance in life. You have temporarily succeeded in diets before so you know you can follow the rules. Work the program now and once you and your body get used to the pouch YOU WILL SUCCEED!!! Just follow the rules while you and your body get used to the changes then it will become second nature. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
   — Helen B.

June 29, 2001
Dont let people freak you out that you are eating too much. I had so much anxiety by listening to people who had a different surgeon and had different sized pouches than I have. In your materials I am sure that there are menu recomendations that give you a guideline as to how much you are to eat. A poached egg is very soft and fluid and will be leaking out of your pouch as you eat it... just as a protein shake does. I was upset because 9 days post op I could slowly drink a cup of shake... until people explained to me that the shake was running through my pouch. It is not the same as eating solid foods. So dont worry... your poached egg is excellent protein and a good food choice.
   — [Anonymous]

July 18, 2001
iam 9days also. i eat i soft poached egg and a 1/2 piece of toast.i have been hungry alot. i jut eat a popsycle and it helps. i stay at 2oz of food.
   — Heidi H.

October 18, 2001
It helped me to look at my external incisions. I'm 23 days post op, and it was a lap RNY. I am still healing externally on those incisions, and I am "protective" of the scabs there. Just seeing those, makes me realize that the internal incisions and suture lines are in a similar state. My humble opinion is that if I am protective of my external incision, I need to respect and protect the internal, too. This is a technique I use to recognize that I am still healing. I am trying very hard to stick to the pureed 4 week diet that my surgeon and nutritionist recommend for me. I want more variety. I want more food types, but I am willing to stick with the pureed for 4 weeks out of the rest of my life in order to maximize healing and weight loss. Instead, I add flavor. I am trying more foods one-at-a time, and increasing natural flavors and seasonings. Aiming for foods with flavor helps ignore the short-term texture of pureeing and the small quantity. Variety helps me, too. I use 2 oz espresso shot glasses (or jigger) to measure my food before eating. Also, the tiniest couple of bowls in our stacking mixing bowl set only have 1-2 ounce capacity. I use them to dish out my meals, and thus have a built-in measuring tool, and get to dine with style of glass instead of plastic hospital pill cups or huge dinnerware plates.
   — Fiddi B.

April 6, 2002
Hi, I too am having the same problem with liquids. I am going on my 2nd week post op and seem to tollerate the soft diet really well but as soon as I drink anything I have a lot of pain and cramping. I can feel a lot of air in my pouch and can't seem to get rid it up no matter what. It is driving me nuts. I am afraid to drink. I have been able to comfortably eat a large scrambled egg at one sitting or a 1/2 a container of low fat yogurt, and I have tried 1 oz of hard cheese sliced very thin.I chew the cheese really well and have done great with that. I spend so much time now thinking about what I have consumed I feel like I have eaten too much. When I write it all down I can see that I have not. You are not alone in wondering why liquids hurt or if you're eating too much. Take care and good luck. If anyone has any suggestions for me on these issues please email!
   — Kim B.

August 9, 2002
August 9, 2002 Hi I'm 9 days post-op and have found that I can eat pureed foods ad soft foods with no problem as long a I eat very slowly and don't take more than two ounces in at a time. I feel great but still tire easily. I had the LAP/RNY on August 1, 2002. Initial weight 290lbs, BMI 51. My doctor made a two ounce pouch proximally. NO pain whatsoever. My biggest problem has been getting enough fuid in. I'm trying to increase the amount every day.My doctor says atleast 62 fluid ounces of protein, juice and water combination a day is the goal,and lots of water. Good luck to you. Your friend in weight loss. Debbie
   — Debbie H.