How frequently do you eat?

Hi everyone! So I'm 5 weeks out of surgery and doing really well :) In the instructions I received from my surgeon at this stage I can eat most solid foods as long as I test them out first to see if they agree with my new stomach. I am supposed to be eating 5 small meals per day, but I find I'm not eating nearly that often. I eat solid food maybe twice a day. I usually have a cheese string and a protein drink for breakfast, a solid meal for lunch, usually just some lunch meat or a bit of baked fish, and then I drink water and protein after that for the rest of the day. I don't get hungry, though I do occasionally feel "empty" or "hollow" sort of but it isn't "hungry" as I used to feel before I had surgery. I'm just wondering how often you all eat, or ate, around the 5 or 6 week mark? 

At 5 weeks I was on soft solids and my plan is "3 meals a day, no snacks."  So that's what I do.  Although I'm not at the point where I can get all my protein in with my current capacity, so I do supplement with 1 shake still, with my NUT's blessing.  My meals are currently 2 ounces of protein and a bite or three of veg.  

On my work days I usually eat 5-6x/day. I work long,  hard hours though. And they are not usually dense protein because I don't have the time. I have a Greek yogurt for breakfast,  string cheese for a snack, turkey pepperoni, then 2-2.5oz of protein like chicken or beef for lunch,  and another snack before I leave if I have time. Then when I get home I have dinner which is dense protein and a few bites of veg or cheese. 

I generally stick to eating every three hours or my head gets swimmy. And I get in about 100 oz of water. 

5-6 times daily, depending on whether it's a workout day or not.

4x's a day.   Breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack 1hr before bed. Breakfast is always a whey protein 30-40 gram shake. I never was a breakfast eater, so a shake works for me (and my Dr. + Nut approve my drinking a shake daily). The other meals I eat 2-2.5 oz of dense high protein foods first and maybe a bite of low carb veggies. 

My program stressed eating 3 meals a day and then I could add protein shakes or protein in chicken broth to supplement until I could eat enough protein at meals.  At 5 weeks out, I could only eat about an ounce at a time, so I needed the supplemental protein.

It sounds like you are doing fine.

Carol

I eat 4- 6 times per day.  I have a shake for breakfast then each meal is protein with either veg or fruit.  I think my capacity is more than others.  I usually have 2-3 oz of protein and then about a half a cup of veggies or fruit with it.  

Hi!  I'm not a dietician (and would check with yours), but here's what I experienced.  At about 5 weeks out, I was still having a protein shake for breakfast, and then a "regular" lunch and dinner (like yogurt, fish, chicken), and a mid afternoon snack (sometimes a snack before bedtime as well) depending on what time I was staying up until.  At that point, I was allowed to try one new food each day (chicken was what I was most excited about).  I am now 8 months out, and still never feel hunger or thirst.  My dietician said to eat no more often than 2.5 hours after eating the last meal or snack, and to not go more than 4 hours without having protein (during waking hours).  On average, for me, it's been about every 3 hours. Most days, I would have my 3 meals and a mid-afternoon snack at the 5 week point.  As you get further out and exercise more, you may find that you'll eat 3 meals and 2 snacks to get in all your protein and calories.  I do that now, and remain within the fluid, protein, carb, and caloric guidelines I've been given.  Lots of good luck and do check in with your dietician for personalized advice.