Question:
How much food should I be able to eat at this stage?

I am on full liquids - oatmeal, yogurt, pudding, lite ice cream. My concern is that I am only 10 days post op and I am able to eat a 6 oz yogurt at one sitting (lunch today)and feel okay - I can also eat one of those little packets of instant oatmeal which was my breakfast. The first day on full liquids I tried oatmeal and 1/2 container jello together and felt too full, but just the oatmeal or yogurt I feel fine. Is this too much for this stage? I don't want to stretch my pouch out or do anything wrong. My paperwork from the doctor does not specify how much just which foods. Thanks for any help, Kelly    — Kelly B. (posted on November 16, 2002)

November 16, 2002
hi there.:) very new post op, i wasnt eating much at all. i was so scared to death id do something wrong so i dont think i was eating enough really.and i never had an appetite so a little of this and a nib of that was enough but wow i was so wiped out and tired. it got better after i ate more.i think you shouldnt be too worried as yogurt and sf jello really and outmeal are almost liquid really. i think if it were meat or cheese or something more solid and bulky youd not be able to eat alot so relax your ok and just remember to listen to your body,your pouch will let you know if youve done a no no or if youve eaten something it doesnt like. just remember to stop when satisfied and try not to let it get to an uncomfortable full and you should be ok :) best of luck to you!
   — carrie M.

November 17, 2002
your fine! Just remember that yogurt is mostly liquid and goes through the pouch rather quickly, hence being able to eat more of it. Also you will have some days where you feel you can eat a lot and other days where a few tablespoons of yogurt will seem too much. We are an oddity unto ourselves a lot in the beginning. Baby steps Kelly and you'll be fine. Best of luck to you and congrats on reaching the other side!
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 17, 2002
You're normal. I had no problem eating a 6 oz container of yogurt then either. Now, immediately post op it might have been more of a chore but our stomachs are still swollent then. Soft things like yogurt are very easy for us to digest and pass through the pouch quickly. When you go to solid foods, you'll notice a HUGE difference. It will take much less to fill you up and there's no way you could eat 6 ounces!
   — sandsonik