[DocSanae]

1 or 2 meals per day seems rather drastic, just about everyone is told 3-6 meals per day, depending on the surgeon.
With 3 meals a day, some surgeons say just 3 meals, others say small snacks in between is okay. OR, 5-6 small meals per day.
1-2 meals a day could actually cause hypoglycemia (too low blood sugar) so you may need to confirm if your surgeon means 1 or 2 *proper* meals with snacks in between, or if 1-2 meals is only for the short term and you can increase your meals to 3 times a day in the future.

[BreeChick]

what is it with these docs lately ...only eat 2 times a day AFTER surgery?? wt*?

[texasangel]

I did and his instructions are very clear. At the top of the post op instructions it says NO PROTIEN SHAKES and NO SNACKS and only 1 to 2 meals a day. It says our bodys do not need more meals than that. I knew most Dr's had different instructions, I just wanted to see how different from mine they were. In our next support group I will ask what others did. I know I will probably drink some shakes just to help me get enough protien in. Thanks for everybody's response.

[kitty56]

I was on liquids about 3 days and then started on hospitol food trays for gastric bypass people. Well I threw mine just about all out to the cats, becasue I gaged so bad on them and then called my nutritionist and she told me to start on soft foods, like tuna, cottage cheese, High protein pudding and the protein shakes. I could not eat the tuna and to this day I do not care for the texture or the taste of tuna or any kind of canned fish. I use to love that stuff before surgery. I will not give up my protein shakes for now becasue the shakes really help when I am a little low on my proteins. Almost a month out I started to eat chili, which settled real good in my pouch. I was told that I need to eat 6 times a day. It is so important to get the protein in, that is where my shakes come in when I am low. It took me some time to get into a routine just taking the medicines that we had to take in one day. At the beginning it was like eating a meal wen I took my medicines that we are suppose to take in one day. Then the medications were all chaged when I went for my three month checkup, and had to reteach myself when to take the medications.
I cannot imagine only eating once or twice a day. I would think a person would slowly starve. I hated food at the beginning and I just would force myself and did lots of protein shakes at the beginning to make sure I got in my proteins. The high protein puddings where a lifesafer too.

[DocSanae]

Originally Posted by texasangel

I did and his instructions are very clear. At the top of the post op instructions it says NO PROTIEN SHAKES and NO SNACKS and only 1 to 2 meals a day. It says our bodys do not need more meals than that. I knew most Dr's had different instructions, I just wanted to see how different from mine they were. In our next support group I will ask what others did. I know I will probably drink some shakes just to help me get enough protien in. Thanks for everybody's response.

I am wondering, is the for immediatly post op? If so, that's understandable, for the first few weeks to a month or so, food basically won't be a priority as your pouch is very very tender, but you do need to get in water/liquids first to prevent dehydration, then some nutrition, but not much, as our bodies are made to tide over without food (but not without liquids) for a short period of time.

However, if he means throughout the rest of your life, then, this is the first time I have heard of any surgeon saying so, and it also goes against the nutritional facts recommended by various professional medical associations and institutions. There's a certain amount of calories and nutritents that you need to get in to support your body and life, once you reach your goal, and it is possible to get it all in in one sitting/meal, but that is going to be a very large meal, so it is impossible with a small pouch.

So, maybe he gives out instructions only for the early stage first, and then changes his instructions at the followups to meet the needs of the various stages as you progress through your journey.

[special_k]

You might want to check on the website for the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. They are the group that has developed the standards for the Centers of Excellence. I would be considered if my doctor's recommendations were drastically different than what this group recommends. Is the place where your surgoen is a Center of Excellence? My understanding is that the COE's are pretty consistent, in a general sense, of their approach.

[qt82699]

every surgeon and dietician is different, but mine said 3 meals a day and no snacking

[texasangel]

This is my "Gastriic Bypass Diet"

Week 1-Clear Liquids-Drink around 2 oz of clear liquids every 15 minutes.
water
crystal light-made with 2 or 3 times the water called for
sugar free jello
warm decaf herbal tea
bouillon or broth

Week 2-Soft Protien Foods
soft scrambled egg
egg poached in tomato juice or broth
soft boiled egg
low fat string cheese sticks
low fat cottage cheese
part skim ricotta cheese
refried pintos or black beans
smooth sugar free yogurt
poached fish mashed with a little cooking liquid

2 months-Add vegetables
3 months-Add fruits


RULES TO EATING:
Eat only 1-2 meals a day
Eat slowly, chew thoroughly
Stop eating as soon as you feel full. It is not important to finish your entire meal
Do Not drink while eating
Do Not eat between meals
Drink enough fluids
Stop drinking 1/2 hour before meals and 1/2 hour after meals
Do not change your diet with out being seen in the clinic
NO PROTEIN DRINKS!


Ok this is what my surgeon has put together and yes he is on the American Bairiatric Dr's. I know it is totally different from others but I am going to try it and see how it goes. I can always change things if I am not feeling well or doing well. Thanks to every body that responded! I really appreciate it.

[texasangel]

But when I go in for Pre Op on the 2/4 the I will ask the dietician about it as well as the surgeon. I really appreciate all the responses and every one looks so amazingly different that now I am getting over being scared and excited to have a healthier, happier life!

[TamTamW]

I was on liquids for the first 2 weeks then went to pureed for 2 weeks then soft foods for 4 weeks. and 5-6 meals a day that is small meals. Was aslo allowed protein shakes that was the staple of the liquids. 2 meals a days sounds like not much food.