Question:
What is a typical day's diet say 4-6 months post op?
— ann A. (posted on March 9, 2000)
March 10, 2000
I'm a little over 3 months (Proximal RNY). My diet is starting to vary now
(what tasted good last week might not taste good this week). I usually have
a piece of fruit for breakfast and my protein shake. I eat chicken or fish
for lunch. And a little bit of whatever I want for dinner (I don't do beef
or rice though). I have fallen prey to the girlscouts this year and bought
a box of the lemon drop cookies ( I can eat 2 with no problem) I am amazed
that I can enjoy just 2 and don't need to eat half the box! I'm still
experimenting with foods daily and some work and some don't. Honestly, I am
so amazed by this surgery and the way it's changed my relationship with
food.
— Morgan B.
March 10, 2000
I couldn't agree with you more Roberta D. Where are those fruits and
veggies and grains? Too much fat in that diet if you ask me.
— Jane D.
March 10, 2000
I agree with Roberta..I did not have this surgery to have the SAME bad
eating habits I had before surgery that catapulted me to 367 lbs or
to rely on malabsorbtion to loose weight and stay thin. I had my surgery
to get healthy, eat healthy and stay healthy. I chose the best surgery
for me.. But to satisfy the members researching all procedures...To each
their own, I always say it's what makes the world go around....
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!!!
Now, to answer your question.. Breakfast is usually eggs cooked either
scrambled with low fat cheese on top, or in a casserole, or breakfast
burrito . ..Lunch is some sort of meat, turkey, chicken, fish, pork,
about 3 1/2 oz and a veggie or salad.....Dinner is what ever I cook for
the family (low fat, low calorie, and very delicious and satisfying
loaded with protein) I try to make each meal 20 grams or more of
protein..While staying between 600-700 calories.. I find I get all my
protein intake in from meals and have to substitute little by
supplements ..snacks may be dried fruit or supplement drink ProBlend55
(vanilla mixed with ice and water) yummy!! I'm never hungry throughout
the day I don't crave sweets... I have had only ONE dumping syndrome,
and that was not long after surgery, caused from whole milk (hubby made a
mistake fixing me a supplemental shake) I can eat anything I want to
(except the bad foods that I don't want in my menu ever again i.e. foods
high in sugar or starch foods that turn to sugar) This post not paid
for by any outside means or political organization. hehe just a joke
;-)
— Victoria B.
March 10, 2000
This is kind of a tough question to answer because my diet varies so much
from day to day now. In the beginning I kept track of all my protein grams
and ounces of fluids, but now I just eat when I am hungry, and basically
whatever I want. I can't tolerate anything with lots of sugar or fat, but
besides that I can eat most everything the rest of my family eats. In the
morning I am usually not hungry at all, so I will just eat a protein bar
(Worldwide Sport, low carb, high protein)or sometimes a scrambled egg with
cheese on top. For a mid-day snack, I would have a stick of string cheese.
Afternoon, I could eat a small salad with chopped turkey and shredded
cheese on it. Supper time, maybe three quarters of a grilled chicken
breast. Late in the evening, I might eat some popcorn or a peeled apple.
At bedtime, I wash my pills down with a half cup of lactaid milk.
Throughout the day I drink decaf iced tea or water for fluids. This seems
like a lot to me now, but before surgery, all this would have added up to
one meal! Hope this helps. By the way, I had Open RnY with 150cm bypassed
in September, and have lost 84 pounds so far.
— Lynn K.
March 10, 2000
Well put Melanie. My apologies to you for questioning your diet. I
deserve a kick in the butt! BUT, it was my opinion.
— Jane D.
March 10, 2000
Just a thought for everyone to consider: My doctor told me that over time
the body tries to compensate for the malabsorbtion in these surgeries and
that he has actually seen where the intestines get larger around to create
more area for absorbtion to occur. This could be the reason for some
weight gain after two years. I would think if this is the case a high fat
diet could work against you in the future. This made sense to me because I
know the body sometimes creates new arteries to feed the heart in coronary
artery disease. Same principle.
— Debbie M.
March 10, 2000
Melanie: You state "The fact of the matter is that any distal patient
malabsorbs fats the same way I malabsorb them, including distal RNY's"
....Very true Melanie both DS and Distal RNY are malabsorbative type
procedures. Not to be confused by Proximal RNY which is restrictive.
— Victoria B.
March 10, 2000
I know everyone is different, and some people can tolerate more fat in
their diet than others. I personally have found that fatty foods make me
sick. Since the fat is not absorbed or digested in my upper digestive
tract, it passes into my large intestine where it is not well received.
This causes gas, cramping, and diarrhea. After a couple episodes of this,
I decided it was best to just stay away from fried foods from now on. I
also wonder about colon cancer. They say a diet high in fat, especially
animal fats from milk and meat, can contribute to colon cancer. Even if
you don't digest the fat, it can still effect your colon. Just a thought,
not a criticism of anyone or any procedure.
— Lynn K.
March 10, 2000
Wow... so glad this subject came up. Some days I can eat more than
others, but generally I have no trouble with food. I can eat anything I
want except for Taco Bell stuff and normal milk.
I am back in Germany living now and I still havent gotten used to the food,
but we are managing with our stuff we get from Spain.
When I was visiting TX for 5 months, a typical day would always include a
'power breakfast', where I got most of my proteins. I ate 2 eggs, over
medium, fried in olive oil and 3-5 strips of bacon. Lunch would vary
between tuna with real mayo and crackers, a Ceasar salad with real ranch
dressing, a burger from Burger King (only one slice of bread), basically
whatever I had a craving for. Dinner was the same... anything I wanted.
Steak, chicken (I found that I tolerated the dark meat better), pork chops,
pizza,always a green veggie... small salad, brocolli, green beans,
asparagus, etc. I guess the whole point with the DS procedure is that you
dont have to sweat it at all. I eat whatever I want, whenever I want. I
can eat cookies, ice cream, etc and not have to feel guilty about it.
Granted, this sugar stuff shouldnt be abused. The quality of life is far
better than anything that I could have imagined. I will never have to diet
ever again in my life. I tried to follow alow-fat, low carb
"diet" in the beginning of my journey and did everything that had
been pounded into my head for over 20 yrs of dieting and found myself on an
8-week plateau. Thank goodness that my mom was around and told me that I
will eat and I will eat like a normal person! That evening she fixed me a
steak with gravy, brocolli and mashed potatoes. That was the beginning.
After that, the weight just started falling off. I am currently 122lbs and
over 53 inches less that I was 7 months ago when I had my surgery. My
blood work has been excellent!! I cannot think of one reason I shouldnt
have had my surgery. I was truly blessed to have found the DS.
— Kris S.
March 10, 2000
I just dont understand... this is the stuff that dreams are made of. I
know I am not the only fat person in the world who ever said "I wish I
could eat anything I want and not have to worry about gaining weight".
My dream came true!!! Instead of words of encouragement, what I hear are
slams and sentences being picked apart and analyzed to death. Thanks so
much for your support (she said in a facetious manner). I dont get it...
— Kris S.
March 10, 2000
Sheila... very well said.... thank you! Mellie... we know that we eat like
a normal person eats. Its fine honey.... you are appreciated in your
diligence of telling the truth abut the DS.
— Kris S.
March 10, 2000
Vicki,
It is my understanding that the RNY is both restrictive and malabsorptive,
regardless of being distal or proximal. I believe I'm correct.
— [Deactivated Member]
March 10, 2000
Hi there! What a great question! I am three months post-op, and had the
BPD/DS. I had surgery on a Wednesday, ate my first meal Saturday (clear
liquids only) and Sunday I had baked chicken with mashed potatoes and
gravy. That was within five days of surgery! My surgeon told me to eat
what I wanted, and be moderate with sugars. So... here's what I ate
yesterday, at three months post-op. Breakfast, I had one egg over-easy,
one piece of wheat toast with butter, two pieces of bacon, and coffee with
real cream. For lunch, I had a bowl of navy bean with bacon soup and some
yummy warm sourdough bread with butter. For dinner I had a half of a chile
verde burrito (fried pork, beans, cheese) and some flan. It wasn't a
typical day, because I usually eat more veggies, but it was pretty close.
— Kim H.
March 10, 2000
Yes, Denise it is both I was referring to how it was classified.
;-)
— Victoria B.
March 10, 2000
To Correct any misinformation:
RESTRICTIVE: vertical-banded gastroplasty, roux-en-y gastric bypass,
laparoscopic roux-en-y-gastric bypass) or
MALABSORBTIVE: (biliopancreatic diversion, distal roux-en-y gastric bypass,
jejuno-ileal bypass, and DS).
— Victoria B.
March 10, 2000
Melanie: I honestly don't mind the posts on the differences in the
two surgeries RNY vs DS. How are any of us able to educate ourselves
without the friendy exchange of information.. I truly do believe
"none of us" are truly certain of the long term affects of
any of the surgeries, there is just not enough verifiable information out
there.. Heck the surgeons can't even agree on which is best, how does
anyone expect us to agree. :-) keep up the posts it's all information
and I'm like a sponge I absorb it all in..
— Victoria B.
March 10, 2000
I'm going on 9 months post op (open RNY- Proximal) and I've lost 110 lbs. A
typical day for me now includes:
1. Morning-protein drink w/1/3 cup lite yogert and water(pro blend 55
really good! I drink it slowly in the car on the way to work),
2. Mid morning-1/2 cup dry granola type cereal,
3. Lunch-2-3oz. tuna, chicken or similar protein, small amount(1/2 c. or
1-2 oz.) of bread,or pasta or potato, small salad w/lite dressing and
1/2cup fresh fruit,
4. Mid afternoon-1 Clif Luna bar (180 cal/10 grams protein)
5. Dinner-about the same as lunch but usually I fill up quicker on
slightly smaller portions at dinner and I save the fruit for
6. Evening Snack-Fresh Fruit again ( I keep big bowls of it in my
refrigerator now all the time!)hot or iced tea, and usually a couple of low
sugar/low calorie cookies like biscotti or animal crackers or graham
crackers...I don't usually seem to want anything sweeter anymore but I
worry about it sometimes cause I've sampled a few things and not
experienced any dumping. I never want to go back to sweets again.
I drink a lot of decaf tea and some water(maybe 10 ozs. not as much as I
should) and I keep trying to get into more exercise but at present I
haven't managed to make it a regular habit. What worries me is that I am
able to eat pretty normally now and the weight loss is slowing
tremendously. I'm ok with where I am weight wise although I'd love to be a
little lower if it works out but...I NEVER WANT TO GAIN ANY BACK. I think
the fact that the weight loss coming to an end is scaring me. I'm eating
better than ever in my life,I feel great and as others have said it's
little challenge since my cravings have been drastically reduced or
eliminated. BUT should the cravings return I don't know if I could
maintain this pattern. I can eat enough now that I need/have to make
careful choices and that feels periously close to "dieting". It
was definitely easier when I simply couldn't fit as much. But I knew it
wasn't a free ride, nothing ever is and I wouldn't trade the second chance
I've received for anything. Still....I'm a little envious sometimes of you
distal folks who went all the way so to speak!
It's great to have this place where we learn so much from each other.
Best wishes to all,
Carol in Philly
— Carol M.
March 11, 2000
Melanie M., thanks for the reminder to look at Dr. Hess' 10-year DS study
on the duodenalswitch site. Talking about post-op diet is important; it
gives all of us pre-ops valuable info. Just as important, however, is
looking at clinical data on people who have been following those post-op
diets. I was impressed by Dr. Hess' data!
— Julie C.
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