confusing post-surgery food instructions

[Sweetbriar 0]

I would be interested in hearing what others post surgery instructions regarding food are. I'm 3 weeks banded and trying to follow my surgeon's instructions about how much food to eat. He said 4 to 6 oz. at each meal. Is it better to aim for weight or volume? At the pre-surgery facility they gave me a 1/2 cup container and said all food had to fit in there but the doc just said 4 to 6 oz. I've been weighing my food instead of putting it in the cup. Does that mean I'm cheating? Also, one paper they gave me says 2 meals a day and another says three! Feeling dazed and confused!

I'm worried about stretching my new pouch. Haven't had a fill yet.

[dman3998 0]

It does not sound like your surgeon has his act together as far as the post-op care is concerned.

I am only out 4 weeks and this is what I think I know.

the band is "restricting" but without fills your opening is still pretty large. food can pass pretty easy and probably will not have much chance of stretching it right now.

the pouch is sized for volume so the 1/2 cup is about right it will stretch on its own to maybe 3/4 - 1 cup but that should take a couple years unless you are trying to stuff it all the time.

My doc's nutritionist gave me a pretty comprehensive plan for the 5 weeks after banding. it has a lot more specifics but this is the jist of it

Clear liquids first week, but can have 1 Protein drink a day.

Full bodied liquids the second week 3 Protein drinks a day.

pureed stuff the second week nothing you have to chew. at least 2 Proteins a day. basically eat 4 times a day

mashed, soft, mushies the 4th week min 1 Protein a day for the rest of your life. 4 times a day

start trying different foods the 5th week, cut up small and chew the crap out of it. pretty much anything you want that will stay down. 3 meals and no Snacks.

When I say protein I mean a drink or powder supplement in addition to the the regular protein you are eating. I need to have a min of 70 grams a day.

you need a min Calorie in take per day most women it is 1000-1200 cals per day or you will have a hard time losing weight as you will be in starvation mode and your body will conserve every calorie and slow down your metabolism. not to mention you will be cranky and feel worn out all the time.

someone correct me if I am wrong here. but It should be close.

[ElfiePoo 109]

I would be interested in hearing what others post surgery instructions regarding food are. I'm 3 weeks banded and trying to follow my surgeon's instructions about how much food to eat. He said 4 to 6 oz. at each meal. Is it better to aim for weight or volume? At the pre-surgery facility they gave me a 1/2 cup container and said all food had to fit in there but the doc just said 4 to 6 oz. I've been weighing my food instead of putting it in the cup. Does that mean I'm cheating? Also, one paper they gave me says 2 meals a day and another says three! Feeling dazed and confused!

I'm worried about stretching my new pouch. Haven't had a fill yet.

First, you are not going to 'stretch' your pouch. It would take (according to my surgeon) months and months of stuffing yourself to do that.

Every doctor's postop rules regarding eating are different. I think it's rather silly to tell someone that just because they have a little piece of plastic in them, they now have to eat starvation portions of food. Right...if we could do that, we wouldn't have had the surgery.

My surgeon said to aim for 1 cup of food at my main meals and a small snack (couple ounces of cheese, hard boiled egg, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, etc.) in between my meals. He suggested that, until I started getting fills and reached my sweet spot, if I was still hungry after eating the one cup, to go ahead and eat more, but eat more of the vegies as they would fill me up without as many calories.

.

[dman3998 0]

I think I like your surgeon, Elfiepoo, mine actually told me 3/4 of a cup! You are right without the band adjusted it is hardly better than before the surgery and if we could do it then we would not have needed it.

Of course the "concept" is to get you in the habit of proper eating so when you get the fills it will be an easier transition. like I had to give up pop. Right now it would not hurt anything but after fill it supposedly will expand your pouch. well I am not really convinced on that one but CO2 is not that great for you anyway so bye bye to my Dew.

I have to keep telling myself its a Process and its worth it!

good luck Sweeetbriar, if you would like the diet my nutritionist gave me send me a PM and I would be happy to email it to you.

[Sweetbriar 0]

Dman,

Thanks so much for the info. I haven't talked with the nutrionist yet so I think I'll make an appointment so I'll be sure I'm doing everything correctly.

My surgeon also told me to choose a plan to be on for life and recommended three: Weight Watchers, South Beach and Jennie Craig(this one surprised me).

I haven't seen anyone else mention this.

[Sweetbriar 0]

Interesting how there are so many variations in instructions! Guess there's never just one right way to do something.

Thanks so much for the reply!

[dman3998 0]

Dman,

Thanks so much for the info. I haven't talked with the nutrionist yet so I think I'll make an appointment so I'll be sure I'm doing everything correctly.

My surgeon also told me to choose a plan to be on for life and recommended three: Weight Watchers, South Beach and Jennie Craig(this one surprised me).

I haven't seen anyone else mention this.

Not really, there is no way you can eat the volume of food anyone of those tell you to. Actually the plan is Protein first then veggies. at each meal. it seems closer to Atkins than anything else.