Question:
I don't understand the conflicting views of different Drs. on the post op

diet for the same surgery (open RNY). I love this website, but I get confused on the methods, like eating for 15 minutes so you won't be grazing by taking longer, my Dr. says to eat for an hour, I haven't been able to yet, its hard to make 2 oz last for an hour. I am also confused on how eating faster can make you not lose as well!?!?!?!    — Sugarbaker2001 (posted on December 20, 2002)

December 19, 2002
I attend several different support groups for different surgery programs and they all have different protocol- but the underlying basic info is all the same- water, walk, protein- This surgery,though the same medically, is very individual- YOU must find what works best for you- some people can not eat enough in 15 minutes- others could eat 1/2 a small cow given one hour to do it...Concenetrate on your meals being 75% protein, eat until only satiated- if you reach that FULL (stuffed)feeling you had too much! This post op stuff is a journey and nobody can tell you which path to take- thru trial and error you will find the best one - Have a safe trip.
   — ~~Stacie~~

December 19, 2002
Most of the differences are due to the way the doctor was taught. Some of it may be how he views the experiences of his patients. Also, I know that a lot of what the dietician told me really applies to early post-op eating and is not quite so relevant to eating at several months out. The best thing to do is to follow your own surgeon's recommendations. That way, if you do run into any problems, the surgeon can't blame it on the fact that you didn't follow his/her 'rules'.
   — garw

December 20, 2002
Keep in mind that a surgeon is a surgeon and not a dietician or nutritionist. They are advising you what they have learned from their patients and other doctors. What they are providing you with are guidelines and guidelines are just that-to guide you thru the process. For most of us, we learn through a combination of our support groups, surgeon and nutritionist advise, this board, and trial and error. Also keep in mind that the rules early on (first two months) are while your pouch is healing and that after that, it changes. But many of the rules are the same no matter which surgeon or surgery you have-the protein first, no drinking with or right after meals, lots of water, and vitamins does not change. As for the eating within 15 minutes or an hour, I was taught that you should be able to finish your meal in 15 minutes. If you eat for an hour, its called grazing. I could eat 3 or 4 small meals in an hour, just by taking a 10 minute break inbetween each, so I don't think thats a good idea. Perhaps he is telling you that because you are a new post-op and if it takes an hour to get in your 2 oz....
   — Cindy R.

December 20, 2002
In my humble opinion Paula, this is why it is so very important for anyone considering any type of WLS to do the research! I don't know if any one surgeon has the perfect program yet. A lot of them are still learning as their patients get further and further post-op. I agree with the previous poster myself. Even though my surgeon's office has recommended that we take longer to eat, I take 15 or 20 minutes. If I took an hour I KNOW I would eat more than I should. IMHO, if you're eating the proper quantities and chewing well, it shouldn't take an hour to eat. You're inviting trouble sitting at the table for that long. Plus, who has time to take an hour for each meal?! In addition, you need to leave time between eating for water. (I personally wait 45 minutes to an hour before drinking). I eat 4 times a day, sometimes 5. I'd say 2 meals and 2 snacks, focusing on protein. Sometimes that 4th or 5th time is simply a protein shake or a No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast. Good Luck and Merry Christmas! - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -98lbs.
   — Anna L.

December 20, 2002
Thanks for asking this one, as I was wondering this too. My surgeon has instructed us to eat 1 ounce every 10 minutes and to make the entire meal last 30 minutes. Plus his instructions for the liquids/protein shakes only phase of the post-op diet is to consume one 12 oz protein shake in one hour. My whole day would consist of eating if I do it this way lol. Good luck to you.
   — thumpiez

December 20, 2002
hi there! :) i too noticed that they all have different opinions. it is my opinion that if one takes a real long time to eat, it would probably allow that individual to eat more than they should because the first bites you took might have already left the pouch before you were completely done therefore allowing one to eat too much and never really giving you an idea of the full feeling. i take about 20 minutes to eat. best of luck to you. :)
   — carrie M.