Question:
Confused about a couple of things.....

I'm 3.5 mos post-op, ~60 lbs lost post-op(no scale or I'd be a slave to it!), ~25 lbs lost pre-op. I've read on here before that "eating too fast is the quickest way to stretch your pouch". Why is this? If you're eating 2 oz. fast or eating 2 oz. slow, it's still 2 oz., so why would that make your pouch stretch when it's the same amount? My doc doesn't want you to do *any* protein supplements after the first 6 weeks post-op; he wants you to get all your protein from your food. He also wants you to eat 3 meals/day, no snacking. I've ignored the no protein supps rule, because otherwise, I'd *never* get my protein in. When I told the nurse that I felt I was losing slowly because 1) until 3 months post-op, I felt uncomfortable when drinking water, so I wasn't drinking enough, and 2) that I was only eating about 500 calories/day, so my body thought I was starving. Her response was "how long does it take you to eat?". I responded 20-30 minutes depending on what it is. She then said that I should take a FULL HOUR to eat my 2 oz. of food. Does this make sense to anyone? Is she trying to say that if I eat for an hour I'll get more calories/food in? That doesn't make sense either. Now that I've been able to get in at least 64 oz. of water/day, I've been dropping weight like no tomorrow (over 10 lbs in less than 3 wks). I've also been getting at least 800 calories/day by doing one protein supp in the morning, then 4 small meals. Should I ignore their advice in this regard?    — GGinMA (posted on May 28, 2002)

May 29, 2002
There seems to be alot of different advice from alot of different surgeons. Here is what I do, by no means is this for everyone. First I do what I think sounds right, and what works best for me. If it doesnt sound right to my common sence then I dont follow the advice. Like your surgeon telling you not to take a protien supplement. That doesnt sound right to me. If your body needs protien and you are not getting it, or cant get it from food alone, then supplement away. As for the bit about taking an hour to eat....the only thing I can think of is that it would make the food move more slowly through your intestines, I guess letting your body absorb more of the nutrients. I'm not sure on that one. I dont take an hour to eat. And I dont see how that would help you lose more, other than maybe she was thinking you were overeating by eating too quickly. But again I dont see how you could do that when it takes you 20-30 min to eat a meal. From what I have read on here, every surgeon has their own advice as to what and how to eat after surgery. Same surgery, different post op diet advice. I just take all the suggestions to educate me, and make my own post op diet. I may be doing it wrong, but it is working for me. 8 mos post -100 and 25 from goal. All my blood work is fine as of last week. Good luck to you.
   — RebeccaP

May 29, 2002
I agree with Rebecca - there are so many different opinions from different surgeons here it's unreal. They differ in big ways too, don't they? I was never told to eat over a one-hour period, I'd go nuts having to re-heat my food every fifteen minutes. At first, that's the only thing that I could do but my stomach absolutely lets me know how quickly I can eat. I've never sat and looked around so much during meals until I had this surgery. I have viewed the ways others eat, the decor on the wall, the dust on the shelves around me, I've read the newspaper from front to back ALL WHILE MY FOOD WAS GETTING COLD. :) I think it's wild how even the protein amount or water amount differs from doctor to doctor. My doc instructed me to intake the amount of protein that I want my goal weight to be. For now, he set that goal at 200 lbs. (I started at 346) and so I was instructed to take in only 40 gms. a day so I'm thankful for that...I struggle with 40 gms. and can't imagine trying to get in 60. He also told me that 32 oz. of water was sufficient for now - I'm 7-weeks out and he said if I could get that amount in, I'd be doing well. It's hard getting use to everything but I certainly have done as Rebecca said - I've taken in what felt right to me and left the rest behind. I've used this board to get a lot of advice and listen to what others have done with success and it seems to be falling into place. Good luck with all of it - it's a whole new way of life, isn't it? :)
   — Lisa J.

May 29, 2002
My doctor doesn't want us to use protein supplements either. He wants us to learn to eat correctly. I get about 40-50g of protein a day and feel great. My blood tests are fine. I eat protein first and then mostly raw veggies and fruit last. I try to balance everything. I know I probably never get enough water but I never was a water drinker so that is my cross to bear. But if you having a hard time gettin in any protein then supplement are a good way to help out in those times, but becoming dependent on them (in my opinion) is just another diet.
   — Oldsoul

May 29, 2002
Regina, I think you answered your own question. If you are losing more weight doing what you're doing then keep doing it! I had the best luck eating 5-6 small meals a day to keep my metabolism steady and keeping my calories around 800-1000 a day. If you fall below 800 your body will shut down and think you are starving. As far as the full hour to eat--oh please! I don't know about you but I don't have the time or patience for that. Plus the pouch starts to empty after about 20 minutes so unless you want to overeat you should stop by then. I think you are doing great and there is nothing wrong with getting a boost from a protien drink in the morning. Go for it!
   — ctyst