Question:
How often do you eat?

I am 7 weeks post-op and it seems I get hungry about every 2 hours. I eat small meals, 4-oz low-fat yougart, 1/4 of a turkey/cheese sandwich, a cheese stick, 5-6 shrimp--good high-protein foods, but it seems I am always eating. So how often do you eat?    — Kay S. (posted on September 24, 2002)

September 24, 2002
When I was 7 weeks post-op, I was eating from 449-680 calories per day. I was eating things like cheese for breakfast around 11:00 a.m., shrimp or chicken and steamed veggies for dinner around 6:00 p.m. (Approx. 2 meals per day.) I'm a week short of being 5 months post-op and I now eat from 493-900 calories per day, give or take a few calories. (2 to 3 meals per day.) The more protein you eat, the longer you seem to feel satisfied.
   — Jennifer A.

September 24, 2002
Are you drinking, Kay? Make sure you are to help ward off hunger.
   — Lisa N M.

September 24, 2002
Kay...my surgeon & nutritionist recommend 5-6 small meals a day so I eat every 2.5-3 hours - when I remember. I have to eat by the clock because the hunger is not there (yet) to remind me to eat. There have been days when I've been busy that I haven't had my first meal until mid-afternoon (obviously I didn't get my 5-6 meals in on those days). I'm getting less than 650 calories in per day as per Fitday...JR (open RNY, 07/17, -84 pounds)
   — John Rushton

September 24, 2002
Kay, I am 6 weeks tomorrow, so, we are on the same timeframe. I am still not back at work, but, this is what I do: 9am (eat), 10-11:30am (drink), 12nn (eat), 1-2:30pm (drink), 3pm (eat), 4-5:30 (drink), 6pm (eat), 7-8:30 (drink), 9 (eat), 10-whenever (drink)...This works for me. I eat little meals, I eat about 600-700 cal per day. I am down 35lbs. I drink probably 128 oz of water/crytsal lite per day. You are doing great! You know your body best! GOOD LUCK!
   — heathercross

September 24, 2002
My dr recommended that I eat every 2-3 hours. I actually had to set a timer in the beginning. It was a little overwhelming to have to think about when to drink, when not to drink, when to eat, etc. I usually eat about 5-6 small meals a day. My dr wanted me to eat more often, but I just feel bloated and uncomfortable if I do. I have "a day in the life" on my profile for 4.5 months and 9 months if you want to see what and when I eat. I pretty much eat like 9 months at 17 mos out.
   — ctyst

September 25, 2002
I will be 8 months post op on the 23rd and since surgery I only eat 2 times a day. I usually eat about noon and then again about 7 pm. I always eat my protein first, then either some vegies or some fruit. No carbs! I only weigh at my check-ups, so as of 9-5 I had lost 125 pounds. My only words of advise is to drink water and then drink some more water.
   — Frances B.

September 25, 2002
I am a year out, and I eat five or six small meals per day. Actually, it's more like breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus three snacks. I plan my snacks, to the extent that I don't just grab what's available -- I go for high protein foods first, followed by veggies, followed by starches. So, rather than eating a whole sandwich, I pile on the low-fat meat, and make it open-faced. One mistake newbies often make is drinking too soon after eating. When you do this, you flush the food from your pouch into your intestine, and you lose the sense of fullness very quickly. So make sure you wait at least half an hour before drinking anything; I prefer to wait an hour or even two. This takes some co-ordination, as I have to drink my 64 oz. of water per day, while avoiding drinking around meals...but it's important to me, so I do it. Good luck!
   — Karen I.

September 25, 2002
I am a year out, and I eat five or six small meals per day. Actually, it's more like breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus three snacks. I plan my snacks, to the extent that I don't just grab what's available -- I go for high protein foods first, followed by veggies, followed by starches. So, rather than eating a whole sandwich, I pile on the low-fat meat, and make it open-faced. One mistake newbies often make is drinking too soon after eating. When you do this, you flush the food from your pouch into your intestine, and you lose the sense of fullness very quickly. So make sure you wait at least half an hour before drinking anything; I prefer to wait an hour or even two. This takes some co-ordination, as I have to drink my 64 oz. of water per day, while avoiding drinking around meals...but it's important to me, so I do it. Good luck!
   — Karen I.

September 25, 2002
My surgeon only wants us to have 2 yes 2 caloric intakes a day! Now really how is a person to do that?? He said we could eat whatever but then if it had calories then we lost a meal. Going by his directions i can see how a person could loss weight..lol But how would they stay healthy?? Any ideas?? thanks (surgery 10-23-02)
   — brandy H.

September 25, 2002
Kay, at just 7 weeks out, it is important to eat often to get in enough nutrition. I was on 5-6 small meals a day at your stage. After your appetite returns and your volume increases, you can cut back to 3 meals with a few snacks. Good job on the protein!
   — Cindy R.

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