Question:
Is anyone having a problem getting in the correct amount of food/calories?

I am almost 5 weeks post-op, lap rny, and I have lost about 40 pounds, but I am not able to eat much food at all. I went to see my doctor 2 days ago, he says I need 1000 calories a day, I'm VERY lucky if I can get in 500 calories per day. I was having problems with dizzy spells and an overall weakness. My surgeon says I'm not getting enough to eat, or drink for that matter. I have NO DESIRE for food; when I am hungry and I eat, it's only a couple of bites, and then I'm finished and want nothing more to do with food. I'm really anti-meat right now. What can I do to increase my calorie intake and water intake, I have absolutely no desire for anything??? Also, I'm supposed to eat 3 meals a day, which equals out to about 333 calories per meal. I can only eat a few bites of food, so I am only able to eat a mere fraction of the calories I need. Someone, PLEASE HELP!!!!!    — Pamela S. (posted on May 2, 2002)

May 2, 2002
Well, you have a goal, and the idea is to try and reach the BEST THAT YOU CAN. Don't beat yourself up, just try and get there- everyday. Maybe you should switch to 6-9 small "bite sessions" rather than three. Switch to three when your appetite comes back. Use a program such a www.fitday.com, it may help you track the progress. If it affecting you negatively healthwise like you say, then you really need to look into some kind of supplement/protein drink that counts as protein and liquid intake.
   — Karen R.

May 2, 2002
Pamela I too had the same problem as you.Ihad open rny nov. 7,2001.I just got out of the hospital this past friday.I too can't stand eatting alot of food.but I now eat 6 small meals a day such as in the am 1/2 peace of toast 1 egg 1/4 cup of oatmeal 4oz of milk need i say I don't eat it all then mid morning I may eat so fruit and peanut butter and cracker then for lunch I may brown some ground beef add some gravy and pour it over some mash potatoes mid afternoon some cottage cheese and fruit supper toss salad veg.mac&cheese or small portion of meat or some sourt a pasta dish. I may have cheese and crackerfor a snack at night yes it may sound like alot but really you don't eat alot of it just eat what you can then stop It may take me 1/2 hour to eat one meal but it all good I'm down 110lbs I hope this helps because in the beganing I was just like you and don't forget drink water all the time sip sip sip good luck to you
   — Janice E.

May 2, 2002
Since you are anti-meat now and you are only 5 weeks post-op, you might try eating Taco Bell refried beans with cheese melted on them. My surgeon suggested them for the first few post-op weeks and in fact he is big on them for ever because they are so high in protein. Have you tried the No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast made with skim milk or 1% milk. And cottage cheese is another good source of protein. I eat fat free and it has 14 g of protein per 1/2 cup and is easy to eat. I put diced bell pepper, cucumber, onion and sometimes tomato in it with a little salt and pepper. It's one of my favorite meals. Hope this helps - and it will get better and easier, but be sure to drink even if you aren't eating enough. Patty Butler Open RNY - 11/29/01 -84+ pounds
   — Patty_Butler

May 2, 2002
SIX SMALL MEALS A DAY!!! I cannot emphasize it enough. Protein drinks count as a meal, too. Early post op you are lucky to be able to get ANYTHING down consistently and I cannot imagine trying to get all my nutrition--even now at one year post--from 3 meals. Eat a little something with protein in it every 2-3 hours and I'll bet you feel better in no time. This has the added benefit of keeping your metabolism steady throughout the day so you will lose weight faster. It is okay that you can only eat a few bites at a time, just eat more often. As I often tell myself: Food is not entertainment, it is fuel. And you need to fuel your body whether you "want" the food or not. If you don't, you'll get sick!<p>If you don't like meat, eat cheese, eggs, beans, peanut butter, cottage cheese, fish, etc. Have you tried No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast? If you don't have lactose intolerance, that may work for you. A packet with 8oz milk is about 15 grams of protein and counts as liquid, too. Try using unflavored protein powder in cream of wheat or oatmeal prepared with milk. Get creative and find whatever you CAN tolerate with protein in it. You'll get your energy back. And as you get further postop you will find that the amount you eat and the types of foods you can tolerate will grow. Meanwhile, you will be shrinking! Good luck and happy losing!
   — ctyst

May 2, 2002
If you aren't hungry, don't force yourself to eat. As time goes on, you will be able to eat more. Mostly concentrate on protien and getting your liquids and vitamins/minerals. I agree with the previous poster, 6 SMALL MEALS A DAY is better. I don't feel pressured to try and overeat and by about 2 1/2 hrs, I am hungary again, but it doesn't take much to fill me. You should hold off on red meat for a while, concentrate on cottage cheese, chicken, fish, eggs, and a protien supplement for your protien. Sounds to me like you are doing great. Dizzy spells/weakness can be a symptom of low B-12 too. So be sure you are taking that too.
   — Dell H.