So I am 1 week post op today and am on liquids for 2 more weeks. I am not hungry at ALL and know I need to eat when I get weak or dizzy...so, my question is...is 500-600 calories too little, just right, for this phase? I am counting them because I can't be accountable for everything I put in my mouth if I don't and it's good practice for later...plus I have been doing it for a while anyway.

Any suggestions? I am eating basically 1/2 cup of creame of whatever Soup, yogurt, cottage cheese, tea, Protein shakes...occasionally coffee so I am following the list the doc gave me...I just am not in the habit of making myself eat when I am not hungry. I started to a little bit when I realize the first few days I was only getting 300 calories and would get dizzy whenever I stood up. 600 seems to be helping with energy but should I add more on purpose or just enjoy the lack of appetite for now?

So I am 1 week post op today and am on liquids for 2 more weeks. I am not hungry at ALL and know I need to eat when I get weak or dizzy...so, my question is...is 500-600 calories too little, just right, for this phase? I am counting them because I can't be accountable for everything I put in my mouth if I don't and it's good practice for later...plus I have been doing it for a while anyway.

Any suggestions? I am eating basically 1/2 cup of creame of whatever soup, yogurt, cottage cheese, tea, Protein shakes...occasionally coffee so I am following the list the doc gave me...I just am not in the habit of making myself eat when I am not hungry. I started to a little bit when I realize the first few days I was only getting 300 calories and would get dizzy whenever I stood up. 600 seems to be helping with energy but should I add more on purpose or just enjoy the lack of appetite for now?

Hi happy girl!

Like you, I'm trying to be conscientious of what I'm downing... and last night, the day's total was only 300 cal

Today is my first day on full liquids, and I'm READY!

In all of the literature given to me, NONE indicate a calorie goal/limit... but I can't imagine that it should be less than 1,000/day... how else are we supposed to recover from surgery?

The trouble is that it's difficult at this stage to consume 1,000 'good' calories.

My list: **** all are 'diet, fat free, sugar free, etc***

THINNED full liquids: applesauce, baby food, diet veggie juice, pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream soup, cream of wheat.

My shake alone is 200+ calories (I add a banana, 1 scoop frozen yogurt, 1/2 cup milk)... 2 of these/day is how I get my 60 g Proteins.

Hope you're feeling well.... I'm getting past the nausea and weakness... but the gas pain in my left shoulder is KILLING me. Figures, it's gotta be something!!!:!:

It's frustrating because I emailed the docs office and got no response I will probably call them. But I feel pretty good except for this head cold I am coming down with. I think I may even be done with pain meds now which is awesome. 1000 calories does sound like a reasonable amount. But it is also nice to see the pounds melting off. ..but I don't want to sacrifice muscle or my health.

Well, if you have 4 protein shakes with at least 20g protein each that should be about 800 calories right? I would say have the shake, then if you want other things supplement with soup or yogurt or whatever. The protein shakes are what keep you full and have nutrition. For me I'd have my shakes, then maybe some soup once or twice a day.

Well that makes sense, but I don't currently have a large stock of protein shakes since they told me to use milk mixed with my soups, hot cocoa etc to get my protein in....so I have been doing that....maybe that is what is keeping everything kind of low cal...but I did manage 700 cals today...not too shabby. I feel a lot more energy so I think I am going to shoot for 700 as a minimum and just follow what I feel otherwise.

For the first 7 or 8 days I had a hard time getting much in too, I think my stomach was still swollen. I was averaging about 500-600 per day. Then on about day 9, I was suddenly hungry! You may still have swelling which makes you feel full all the time. I gradually upped my calories each day, aiming for 1200. I found that most of the time I would get to the evening and realize I was only at 800-900 and would have an extra protein shake (mine are 160cals) to try to up the count. I've heard your body can do a starvation mode thing and stop losing and I don't want that to happen to me. Now I'm about 4 weeks post op and am struggling (a bit) to keep my cals at 1200 or less while waiting for my first fill. I'm sure that once your stomach swelling goes down you will be able to eat more...I kind of wish I was back at that stage so I wouldn't need as much willpower, lol.

It's frustrating because I emailed the docs office and got no response I will probably call them. But I feel pretty good except for this head cold I am coming down with. I think I may even be done with pain meds now which is awesome. 1000 calories does sound like a reasonable amount. But it is also nice to see the pounds melting off. ..but I don't want to sacrifice muscle or my health.

Email your Dr. directly, we have the same dr. and he gets back to you right away. I lived on potato soup, I bought the Bear Creek potato soup mix, just add Water. It's yummy!!!!

My doc told me NOT to count calories! He said it will bias you and you'll eat all wrong. He told me 2 oz. every 2 hrs. even if you have to set an alarm clock to remind you, and you will get enough. I'm on soft foods now, and I will say that he was absolutely right. I had those 2 oz. of liquid every 2 hrs. (and yes, I did have to set an alarm to remind me) and I felt great the whole 2 weeks of liquids.