What were you eating 3-4 weeks post-op?

[light_lady 27]

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I'm about 3 1/2 weeks post-op and struggling, just a little bit...., to consume more than 500 calories a day. I would love advice from more experienced sleevers on how to increase calorie intake at this stage!

On a typical day I am able to eat the following:

1/2 Fage O% Greek Yogurt

6 oz non-fat steamed milk w/ 1 scoop Isopure Protein Powder

2/3 Isopure Zero Carb

1/2 cup Miso Soup

1/2 cup Tomato Soup

1/4 cup non-fat shredded cheese

OR

1/2 cup Split Pea Soup

This amounts to about 84 grams of Protein, but only 400- 500 calories! I eat or drink pretty much constantly to try and consume more calories, but there just doesn't seem to be any room!

I know everyone is different, but it would be super helpful to see what you were eating at 4 weeks out!

Thanks everyone <3

[kari61 128]

Don't worry about the calories so much right now...I had to be on liquids, greek yogurt and broths for the first 3 weeks..My NUT wasnt' concerned about calories, just liquids and protein...

[cherip 33]

Don't count calories, just make sure you try and stay below 5 grams of both fat and sugar. At week 3 I could have pureed but also tuna smashed with low fat mayo, eggs, scrambled with a bit of low fat cheese thrown in or I made egg salad. Chew, chew, chew. sugar free puddings are good too.

[BKLYNgal87 503]

I wouldn't worry about how many calories you are getting in at this stage but since you're still clearly on liquids I think 400-500 a day is to be expected. 80 grams of Protein is great. When you progress to pureed and soft solid foods you will consume a lot more. I was sleeved 2 days before you but I am long past liquids, now onto soft foods. Everyone's plan is different. I get about 600-650 calories a day from different sorts of protein (shakes, Beans, meat, dairy) and a little cooked vegetables. I also am back at the gym which has helped my energy and mood.

[TES 858]

You're doing great. Are you asking about calories bc you feel hungry or weak, or because mentally you feel like it should be more? I would say you are at just about average for this phase. you are doing great on your protein!

[TES 858]

PS--this is pretty similar to what I ate at your stage. I also did some mushies like refried Beans with cheese and added unflavored Protein powder to Soups (cooled down a bit to avoid clumping), sugar-free hot chocolate, or Greek yogurt (more palatable to add half a scoop to that much Greek yogurt). You could try ricotta cheese too and I did vegetarian meatballs by Morningstar mushed up in the ricotta with a little marinara. At 3-4 weeks I could only eat 2 to 2.5 meatballs and now I can eat 4 or 5. Your stomach is still very swollen. I didn't feel like mine was normal (new normal) until about 4 months out.

[light_lady 27]

Thanks for the input everyone! I'm definitely not feeling hungry at all, it's difficult for me to even finish the foods I am getting, but I've been pretty tired and was wondering if that was connected to my low calorie intake?

Also, a lot of people listed 600-800 calorie intake at 4 weeks out and I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong

Due to some..... drama within my surgical team, I haven't been receiving responses to my post-surgery questions very quickly, or at all. Because of this, I guess I've been a little anxious? I really want to make sure I'm using this tool and my time wisely... you know?

[light_lady 27]

@TES, I worshiped Morningstar Farms pre-surgery! I will definitely try the meatballs

[lsereno 2,525]

That's very similar to the amounts I consumed at 4 weeks. My plan also allowed chicken, pork, and fish, along with cooked vegetables. So I ate an ounce or two ounces of Protein at lunch and dinner instead of Soup. Sometimes, I ate turkey chili.

Lynda