Question:
Will I be able to eat more later?

I'm 4 weeks post op with an open RNY and have just started eating some solid foods. I get full after just 2-4 bites. Will I be able to eat more as time goes on? I don't want to stretch my stomach but would like to be able to eat more than this at some point. If so, how long does it take?    — Ronda B. (posted on November 20, 2000)

November 20, 2000
You will be able to eat more in time , but your desire to eat more now , is probably just head hunger. You need to take your time and retrain your mind and body on how to eat now. I am almost 6 months out and almost 100 pounds lighter, and wish i was full after 2 or 4 bites. I can eat alot on some days , little on others. I just take it one day at a time and try to eat healthy foods , no junk.Make sure you drink your water ,get your protein and vitamins in and the rest will come in time. Just relax and enjoy the " honeymoon" phase while it lasts , and last but not least , If you're not hungry , don't eat. Good luck on your continued sucess, love , heather
   — Heather T.

November 20, 2000
I agree with Heather--I, too, can eat quite a bit some days & other days can only eat very small amounts. But, overall, yes, I can eat quite a bit more than the 2 or 3 bites at a time that I ate back in the early post op months. I now often have 1/2 cup cottage cheese mixed with 1/2 cup blueberries for breakfast. I ate a 4 ounce pork chop for dinner tonight with about 2 ounces of acorn squash. I eat slowly & take my time & still concentrate on chewing thoroughly. Many days I can eat two soft poached eggs. But, then again, I still have days when I can't eat more than 1/2 egg without feeling uncomfortably full. I have learned (for the most part!) to listen to my body & stop eating whenever I begin to feel full, regardless of whether the food still tastes good or not. I do, however, put a maximum on how much I eat & try to never eat more than 1 cup of food at a time. I am seven months post op & 130# lost.
   — Kathy W.

November 21, 2000
Yes, you will be able to eat more but don't push it. Take in new foods very slowly and allow your body to adapt to eating them. I am 6 months post-op. Certain foods like chicken I can do now but couldn't until recently. At one point I just had the urge to take a big bite out of something - like a big hamburger for example. And I just realized that things like that weren't going to happen! (And if they did, I would pay dearly for it!) I learned to be patient with myself. Good luck:)
   — Paula G.

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