3mo check up/move to stage 4 ^_^

Afternoon everyone
Looking for some sage advise: I'm almost 3 mos out...saw my surgeon on Friday..she is tickeled pink with my progress...and she moved me forward to 'stage 4' foods....without restrictions. Well, her words were 'what ever your pouch allows you...you'll know' LOL  My quantity per meal is anything from 1/4 to 3/4 cup...still need to have protein as my mainstay...but how do you fit in veggies, fruits (that's a whole 'nuther question!) and say potatoes or bread?  She said salad was ok..but when, what, if anything, do you mix with it?

The fruit thing has me almost ready to give up on them :-(  I've tried apricots, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi, blueberries..it either tastes sour or the pouchy turns grouchy :-(  The only fruit that even half way sits okey is watermelon.  Any ideas??

I feel like I'm at the beginning of the rest of my life...sure would appreciate any advice as to what to do next? Or NOT do!  I've been so fortunate so far...absolutely no problems (except for lingering constipation but I'm working on that)...don't want to screw up now by being too adventurous ;-) What foods have you added? What foods have you purposely avoided? What foods have you found to be questionable?  Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Nancy aka Sunray
Do. Or not Do. There is no Try   yoda, Star Wars

My rule of thumb from the nutritionist is 3 bites protein, 1 bite veggies, 2 bites protein, 1 bite veggies, 2 bites protein, 1 bite fruit -- if there's still room.  As for potatoes and bread - forget it sister!  You do not want those evil foods in your life at all!!!!  I am 10 months out and really don't like them any more.  Sure, I'll have a nibble of some really good bread, because my mouth tells my brain it wants it, but then the pouch over-rules the mouth and the brain and says "see, idiot -- it really wasn't that good".  and I get this weighed down "crap there's an anchor in my pouch" feeling.  I just don't do it. 

Salad must be chewed very very very well as well as raw veggies.  Try it all, but stick with Protein Protein Protein.  I have my protein and veggies on my plate.  And, I usually get a luncheon plate and put my portions on it and end up eating 1/2.

Good luck!   Holler away if you have any more questions!

Good advice from MOMO!

I lost another lb.  and I know it is because the protein.  I am being faithful since MOMO and Becky gave me what for!  I just love my protien shake in the morning and I usually gag on protien.  I actually ate chicken the other night.  Not a lot but it was wonderful.  I do spinach instead of Lettuce as spinach works for me and Costco makes the best spinach salad in the entire world.  I have no idea what is in the dressing and personally I don't care as I don't eat enough of it to really matter, but I do eat the spinach and all the protein goodies that comes in it.  One funny thing that my pouch does realy well with is onions believe that or not.  I normally don't like protein, but if I wrap something up in an onion I can eat it!  lol.  So I use the onion as a bread and wrap up beef, or chicken and it works wonders, go and figure!  lol.  YOu go Nancy.  Go slow but listen to MOMO protien protein and then more protein!
Rhonda

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, I knew you'd have my back girlfriend!  Don't you just feel so much better when you get your protein in?  I know I do!

Off to go buy a new gun safe.  Ugh.

LIke MoMo said Nancy protien first and do what feels good to your pouch. I have never had restrictions with the exception of protien first, then veggies and then a fruit. I do not eat the fruit like I did before surgery but can tolerate melons, strawberries, blue ones too....and stay away from most of them because of the carb thing! Stay away from white carbs or you will see your weight loss cool off. I am telling you, your pouch will not tolerate it and will get that stuck feeling. I could not even handle it at 4 months! Still really can't at nearly 7 years. Bread has to be nearly burned...okay toasted dark...but I rarely do it...and only when I am super sick and nauseated in the toast department!

Good luck and of course you have done a great job so far...you rock star wls person!!!!

Thank you all for your great advice. Mo..your detail or actual bite counts really help!  I'm such a 'linear' person...exact details make more sense to me than generalities ^_^  I'm a 'planner'...think things out before doing...and your guide gives me the 'outline'...thank you all soooo much!
Nancy aka Sunray
Do. Or not Do. There is no Try...yoda, Star Wars