I had surgery on 4/29 and now I'm on the soft foods phase. In the morning, I eat Breakfast (a serving of rice krispies which is 1 1/4 c) around six and around 9 o'clock, I'm absolutely starving to the point where my stomach is growling and I feel like i'm going to be sick. If I have a snack then, than I'm usually hungry again around 11, and I can't go to lunch until 12:30. In the afternoons I seem to do much better. I don't know if I'm eating enough, or even if I should be eating more or less? Can someone tell me if I am doing alright? I'm sooo worried about going in and finding out that I gained weight when I go in on the 29th for my first fill.

Here's my menu for during the day:

Breakfast: Rice Krispies w/milk

Snack: yogurt/or applesauce

Lunch: 2 tbsp. tuna w/4 saltine crackers

Fruit cocktail cup

string cheese

Snack: jello/pudding (optional)

I'm sooo afraid of falling back into the way that I used to, I don't want to stay overweight. I've lost 30 lbs since I've had the surgery done, and I don't want to mess this up. Can anyone give me some advice?

You are in bandster hell...I am there with you too. Right now you are still in the healing phase after surgery. The swelling has gone down now and you don't have any restriction. Thus, the hunger. I have been starving lately. My first fill is tomorrow. I have gained back about five pounds now that I am on soft foods. It is hard. Hang in there.

I am no expert but it looks to me like you are really lacking in protein. You might try adding a protein shake mid morning or try having something with protein with breakfast. Less cereal and added protein.

Definatly need to add Protein. It should be your first choice, as in egg, meat, quality oatmeal, lowfat cheese, yogurt............cereal will do nothing for you, and, as a diabetic, the milk is actually considered a carb and NOT a protein, therefore it, too, is spiking your sugar along with the cereal, and then you crash............

Good luck..........if you need extra help, follow an ADA diet.

I had my surgery the day before you did, and I was in the same boat. I realized that I needed to have protein heavy breakfasts. I usually scramble 2 eggs and that can hold me long enough for lunch. Now from lunch to dinner is another story. At lunch time I can eat eat eat. No restriction with the swelling gone. Again I am really trying to load up on the proteins. Usually some kind of bean dish along with tofu, or (i know it's gross to a lot of people) but I also eat braunsweiger, or liverwurst. It helps a bit. I usually get home and have a 4oz yogurt or some cottage cheese to hold me till my husband gets home for dinner.

I agree about not having enough Protein. In the morning, I like to have half a banana, skim milk, 1/3 cup powdered milk, and Carnation Instant Bresakfast. Mix in the blender. Powdered milk along with the skim milk will give you even more protein. If you don't have Carnation Breakfast, just add 1 packet of Equal or some sweetner. I put mine in the freezer until I'm ready for work and it is melted when I get there. You can log into the Carnation web site and get lots of ideas and get on their E-mail list for coupons etc. Also, try the Special K Protein Drink ( pricey ) or the new powdered sticks to add to Water. South Beach also has powdered protein for water. It will hold you over, get your water in, and you'll get more protein!!!