Focus on getting your daily vitamins, 64 oz. of water and your daily protein requirement (mine is 65 grams!). Don't worry about the calories, it's the protein that's more important. You should be eating about 1/2-1 cup of food per meal every 2-3 hours. My pouch hurts sometimes when I'm eating too fast and not chewing everything to a liquid consistency. It also hurts when I drink anything cold. Relax, be calm and allow yourself time to eat slowly. Listen to your body. This is a new way of life and it just takes time to adjust.

Good luck, hun.

Thanks! My mom was worried about my calorie intake and made me a little paranoid.
Cold water does make my pouch hurt but I have discovered that I get more water in if it is hot/warm decaf earl gray tea.
I think the pureed stage menu from the doctors office was my comfort zone as it was all written out I just had to follow it.

I agree to focus on liquids and getting in protein. At a little over 4 months out, I still don't get in all my liquids and many days my protein. I just do what I can........some days I just don't feel like it. So far I've had no problems.
Good Luck.

Hi surgery partner,
I am wondering some of the same questions you are, especially about getting more than 500 calories a day (where I'm at right now also). I'm still doing shakes, so I'm getting around 50 grams of protein a day. Just as Lois suggested, this is all "new" to our bodies and my nurse even confirmed that cold water and other food items can "hurt" our pouch for months. Here's to us making it six weeks, right?? Carolyn

I grilled the doc's nurse about it before, wanting a "number" that I could watch. She giggled, cause all of us ask the same question. She explained that alot of us, from "dieting" so much are so focused on exact numbers. Some will overeat to get TO that number, some undereat trying to speed things up. She wanted to see me learn how to eat again, and to be concious but not over paranoid about the "number". The answer ticked me off. Where is my number!?

^_^ They are all right in saying get in your protiens and water and exercise.

Thanks for all the hep,
I think my pouch hurting after I eat is I am trying to force all the necessary "food" in :) So today when I pack my food for work I will do smaller portions stick to 1/4 cup or less and focus on the time between putting things into my pouch. if I dont make the "numbers" oh well I will do the best I can.

I did forget that Tums is more than just calcium! it helps with the hurting pouch also.

I posted new photo of me I now have a neck and jawbone!!!

Yay to necks and jawbones!! Wait til you're down to just one chin and can see your collarbones!! Won't be long!!

Pre-op one day, my dad said something that I still find hilarious every time I think of it. I was bummed about something and he said "Keep your chins up honey!" Yes, that's chins with an "s"!

So, sweety, keep your chin(s) up - and keep plugging along, it gets easier and easier :)

Note from my doctors information sheet

Diet guidelines limit calories while providing balanced meals to help prevent nutritional deficiencies and preserve muscle tissue. Tolerance to foods will vary.

Daily calories should be between 400 to 900 initially, and never exceed 1,000 calories a day. Follow a diet low in calories, fats and sweets. The daily protein goal is 65 to 90 grams by two months after surgery. Keep a daily record of food portions and calories and follow up with a dietitian. Be aware that it is possible to stretch your gastric pouch with repeatedly over eating.

That is what my doctor said to me. BUT Listen to your doctor

Star

thanks Star, I needed to see it I am sure the binder of information my Dr. gave me says that but I may have misplaced that page.

I am doing better pouch not hurting much at all, I concentrated on Protein and measuring. I wnet back to some of the leftover pureed stuff and sipping my water.

Sounds like you are doing GREAT!!.. Focus on getting in that protein, water and vitamins ..... the calories are nothing to concern yourself with.. This isnt a diet.. its a life change.. focus on that as well..