2 weeks post op- eating little, hard to get protein

[AZBlackhawk 122]

I had my RNY on 6/26, so a little under two weeks post op.

Doing great eating soft foods. I eat about 2 oz Protein and 1 or less than 1 oz veg or fruit per meal.

shakes are my Snacks )1/2 shake per snack).

I am consuming about 400 cal per day. One day I was just under 60 g protein and a few other days I meet the protein requirement.

I have only been getting 5-7 g of Fiber. No doubt, I cannot even eat a full strawberry in one meal.

Should I be worried? How am I supposed to get my fiber up eating so little in veg or fruit?

Even protein is hard to get. I feel like I have to eat "fast" in 20 minutes to eat 2oz so I get all the protein.

Mid this normal so early when I cannot eat much?

[Meryline 546]

It is normal that you can't eat that much. I was allowed to eat up towards 5 oz in one meal, but I was nowhere near that for a long time. Also, eat slow. If you are not able to get the 2 oz in, then don't eat them. Chew everything well, take your time. If you eat fast you might really stuff your pouch.

Your first priority should be Protein and water. Not fiber, fruit and veggies. Those come later when you are able to eat more food. If you have met your protein for the day, and are still able to eat something, then you can have some fruit or veggies, but not really before that.

Are strawberries allowed on your list? I wasn't until 6 weeks because it has seeds in it that can get stuck in your internal surgery wound. We all have different list though, so it might be.

[James Marusek 5,244]

The three most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight.

Weight loss is achieved after surgery through meal volume control. You begin at 2 ounces (1/4 cup) per meal and gradually over the next year and a half increase the volume to 1 cup per meal. With this minuscule amount of food, it is next to impossible to meet your protein daily requirements by food alone, so therefore you need to rely on supplements such as Protein Shakes.

It is common for individuals to meet their protein and fluid requirements right after surgery. Your stomach is in a major heal mode. But just keep trying to reach your daily goals and you should soon be able to get there.

[Meryline 546]

@James Marusek I have been getting my Protein in with food for a while now, and I track everything. My protein goal is only 60g a day, but I'm often over 80g or more. But, my meals are basically only protein. It is possible. There has been a lot of yogurt eaten, that's for sure. And the one I have has 11g pr 100g.

My program has had me on solids since day 4 though. I used Protein Shakes in the beginning, but not after week 3-4. 6 small meals a day it was. Down to 4-5 now. I eat max 5 oz a meal, which has been allowed since I first started.

You don't have to drink protein shakes if you meet your protein goal for the day with food, but reaching it, is your second priority, first is Water.

Edited July 7, 2017 by Meryline

[hmills653 365]

I'm 5 wks out and still not able to meet Fluid or Protein goals yet. I'm getting around 32 oz fluid. The problem is I get full when I eat and stay full so its hard to eat every couple hrs. I try to focus on goods with protein such as eggs, yogurt, cheese, Protein Shakes as tolerated.

[SouthernGirl76 74]

I am 4 weeks post op and am having a hard time with the Protein Drinks and eating. I get full off is just a few sips or bits. According to my plan I should have 4-ounces per hour. How do any of you manage?

[freelee 128]

It's all about Protein, Water, and vitamins! I'm surprised you are even allowed to eat strawberries with all the tiny seeds. Take it slow, slow, slow.

[MTL 54]

I'm 6 wks out from my gastric sleeve & hiatal hernia repair surgery. Pretty much still on the three shakes daily, so my protein's 90 gms. I can eat a scrambled or cooked egg, cottage cheese & a bit of Soup. I'm using a baby spoon & baby fork to ensure I don't eat more than a "squashed pea size amount (SPSA)" when eating & go very slowly to make my meals last. My surgeon said to cut cut cut every ounce of food that I eat & then cut some more so all are the SPSA, arrange the food starting with the beginning of the English alphabet & then take a bite. When I'm done chewing that & have swallowed, go to the next letter in the alphabet & rearrange all my SPSA's before taking another bite & keep following this code to ensure I don't eat too much too fast. This is helping me get into a pattern of eating that will keep my food inside of me. I actually successfully ate a meatball, a fish taco, and some Chinese food this holiday weekend & kept it all in, which was pretty thrilling. When a friend I was dining w asked me if I didn't like the whole spaghetti meal, I said I just had a hernia repaired & can't eat much, but totally enjoyed the meatball! I did try a banana in my shake, but it caused the runs, so I'm not using any fruit until I'm 8 wks out & will try again. Hydration isn't an issue: I've been able to have SF popsicles (yay for fudgesicles & 50/50 creamsicles), broths, Walmart's Great Value drinks (same as Crystal Lite but you get more for much less), jellos & puddings, & just recently have been able to drink H20. As long as everything's SF, I'm feeling like I'm doing pretty well. I don't have a gallbladder, so my biggest concern has been to get my Protein in & stay hydrated. I'm also a chef, but it's no longer hard for me to make meals I'm not eating: I'm not craving them or deserts thank goodness. I've been walking since the day of surgery, walking my puppy multiple times daily, use a treadmill & recumbent bike for 15 min ea & I've been teaching H20 aerobics M-F for a couple of wks now. I've just added an early am 1/2 hr walk in a park w a client & end my days at the barkpark w my almost year old Italian Cane Corso Mastiff "puppy" who now weighs 130 lbs (he's going to end up weighing 150 lbs): I walk all over the park following him or vice versa! I'm adding my Pilates Reformer exercises in this next week & yoga.

[AZBlackhawk 122]

I like squashed pea size amount. My NUT told me dime size but I'm never sure in thickness. That helps!