Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Question about amount of food



Recommended Posts

I was banded on Jan. 16th and have a question about the amount of food I should be eating. I thought the diet clinic told me that I would only be able to eat 1/2 cup at a time. Well I am eating about a cup at each meal. I have had one episode of slimming (with pain) ate a piece of corn bread, I know that is a no-no, but I just thought I would try it, NEVER AGAIN, the pain was awful until I got rid of the bread!:(

I am still putting everything through the blender to make sure it goes through my band. I am still having some discomfort in my chest area, I think I had a hernia repair but won't know until I see the surgeon for my first appt. next Monday. I have lost 14lbs so far!:ohmy:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey win. Congrats on the 14 lb loss....keep it up. As for the amount of food everybody eats, that's a complicated subject. Your clinic may have given you some guidelines, but everybody is a little different.

The thing to keep in mind is that you will be able to eat a little more until you start getting the fills. Now is the time to follow your docs rules and to start to develop good habits.....so step away from the cornbread, LOL.

Also, as fatties, many of us have gotten the feeling of "full" mixed up with the feeling of "stuffed". You should eat until you are not hungry. Not hungry is very different from stuffed, and it takes a lot less of a portion. I would advise you to eat very small portions very slowly (while following your docs plans....not quite 2 weeks post band, my doc still had me on thicker liquids, but every doc is different). It's quite an adjustment, getting used to our new life....it takes time, but you'll get it eventually, if you are committed to using this great tool. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi-congrats on your surgery. Since you just had the surgery Jan 16 not even two weeks yet--are you not suppose to be on just Clear Liquids for 3 weeks then after first appointment gradually start soft foods? I had lap band surgery Nov. 12th 2008 and this is how my surgeon did it. That may be why you are having so much discomfort--check with your doctor. Good luck to you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi-congrats on your surgery. Since you just had the surgery Jan 16 not even two weeks yet--are you not suppose to be on just clear liquids for 3 weeks then after first appointment gradually start soft foods? I had lap band surgery Nov. 12th 2008 and this is how my surgeon did it. That may be why you are having so much discomfort--check with your doctor. Good luck to you!

Every doctor is different. I had my surgery on Jan 14 and my doctor only required 2 days of clear liquids, then 3-4 days of full liquids. A week after surgery, I was allowed to add mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, etc. Now, I'm able to eat Pasta, bread, rice, tuna, fish......I can only eat about a cup of food right now which is amazing to me. I have to learn to stop when I'm not hungry instead of waiting for my old signal of full (stuffed). It's definitely a learning curve.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi-congrats on your surgery. Since you just had the surgery Jan 16 not even two weeks yet--are you not suppose to be on just clear liquids for 3 weeks then after first appointment gradually start soft foods? I had lap band surgery Nov. 12th 2008 and this is how my surgeon did it. That may be why you are having so much discomfort--check with your doctor. Good luck to you!

Each doctor is different. Mine allowed a "test meal" on day 8 if you are starving. This is a scrambled egg. I think you would be better measuring you 1/2 cup of food out. Eat that slowly and then decide if you still aren't satisfied. As "fatties" we normally will eat what we put in front of us. I am 6 months out, and I have rarely gone back for seconds of anything. I do eat now, about a cup of food at each meal, but at the beginning I ate no more than 1/2c. When that 1 cup no longer satisfies me, I will go in for a fill!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded on 1/15/09 and feel the same way. I can eat a cup of food and i'm hungry! Haven't eaten anthing I shouldn't yet -- well had lettuce today and that's not a mushie, but chewed it well and all went okay! I hear until we get filled, everything just slides down.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded on the 15th, and I only eat 1/2c portions. If I feel as if I am still hungry (usually evening meal), I eat something that is high Protein. This will get me thru the night. I was on clear for 3days and full liquids for 5 days, and now on mushies. I have tried sweet potato and it was good, but it also was a small portion. I have eaten collard greens, but only a tablespoon and chicken breast chopped so fine it was hard to pick up. I did however have a lapse in judgement and ate a pick of the skin from the breast and boy did I pay for it. I stayed stuck in the chest area for about 4hrs, before I felt relief. I didn't try to bring it up as I hate to vomit, but it was a great lesson for me. I will start soft solids on saturday. Good luck to ya:thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded Nov. 28. As I was going through my first weeks I too was starving, so I would have fat free hot chocolate or fat free/sugar free pudding/jello to satisfy me until the next meal. I would also suck on ice Popsicle, they take longer to eat, so your mind thinks it's eaten enough... -weird hard to explain. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded Nov. 28. As I was going through my first weeks I too was starving, so I would have fat free hot chocolate or fat free/sugar free pudding/jello to satisfy me until the next meal. I would also suck on ice Popsicle, they take longer to eat, so your mind thinks it's eaten enough... -weird hard to explain. Good luck!

I forgot how much sugar free Jello pudding saved me during my post op diet. I would eat a dark chocolate one every night before bed if I was hungry. I still eat one if I am hungry late at night.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks to all of you for your input!!! I am doing okay and staying on track very well! I had made a pot of Soup Beans and had a small dish today (blended in the blender) and that was soooo good after shoveling snow twice this morning! Ohio got pelted pretty BAD today! My DH can't shovel since having a heart attack at 47 and open heart then 3 stints put in in October of this past year, so it's good ole me! I go see my surgeon for first follow-up on Monday.

OH, I did not shovel the snow, I PUSHED it off the driveway, no lifting anything over a gallon of milk! Thanks again....Jan:thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also got banded 1/16 and am trying to stick to the 1/2 cup rule too. My Dr had me on liquids for a week and then moved onto mushies for a week, then onto a little stronger food. My friend is a nurse at my Dr office and also had lap band she gave me some great tips... sf popsicles, sf pudding, sfjello, and lots of soup! It's been really easy~~ ok not easy, but easier since she told me that. Also, she suggested eating things like shrimp and tuna to switch it up a bit from chicken. lol. Good luck to us all!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also got banded 1/16 and am trying to stick to the 1/2 cup rule too. My Dr had me on liquids for a week and then moved onto mushies for a week, then onto a little stronger food. My friend is a nurse at my Dr office and also had lap band she gave me some great tips... sf popsicles, sf pudding, sfjello, and lots of soup! It's been really easy~~ ok not easy, but easier since she told me that. Also, she suggested eating things like shrimp and tuna to switch it up a bit from chicken. lol. Good luck to us all!

Be careful with shrimp, it gives many people problems. Just chew REALLY carefully. During my full liquids I like cream of chicken Soup mixed with skim milk instead of Water, I add a little bit of sage, garlic powder and pepper. It tastes YUMMY!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My doctor said once I move to liquids I should measure out 4 oz of food for each meal. Since I may not remember the feeling of being full, I should be consistent to the 4 oz. 50% of that should be protien. If I feel hungry, then I probably need a fill. I would just follow your doc's instructions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×