How much food are you eating?

Ok guys at 13 months out how much can you eat at a time? and more questions please tell me that there is no way we can go back to the way we were before surgery, I mean, I know it is "normal" to gain back some weight but not like we were before, right? I'm not paranoic, I'm just terrified that after all this we can gain the weight back... I'm exercising five times a week and I'm trying to eat as healthy as I can, I take my vitamins and well hope for the best... Celines

Well I'm 14 months post op and still losing. I understand the fear of gaining weight back probably because I did that on every diet I ever attempted. This surgery however is a tool that we can use to help us not regain the weight. If you use the gift you were given and follow your surgeons guidelines I don't think you should have a problem. I don't think that is the case for everyone but I think it is for most people. The RNY has a great success rate much better than dieting alone. My surgeon asked me at one of my follow ups how I was doing and what was I eating. I told him I was fine and that I could now pretty much eat what I wanted just not the portions that I used to eat. I explained that I didn't eat much sugar at all. His response was that he was glad to hear that because so many people stay "diet minded" after this surgery. He says the surgery is a tool to help us learn new behaviors and make better food choices. He said to make the best choices possible but there will be days when we eat things we shouldn't but they should be the exceptions. It made a lot of sense to me. I don't want to live on a diet. I want to learn (and think I have learned) to make healthier food choices. Karen

I am 14 months out and I usually eat 3 meals of 4-5 oz. with 2 2-3 oz. snacks per day. Mostly protein of course. However recently I have been sneaking in some carbs with no problems. Just stick to the rules. Stop eating when you are full, drink your liquids, take your vitamins, and don't graze. I get stuck on plateaus - but I have not gained anything at this point. Still hoping to lose 20-25 more pounds. Best of luck. Dawn -119

At 14 months out most of my meals consist of 4-5 oz of protein. I seldom get to the veggie part of my meal. My surgeon said to eat meat, then veggies, then carbs. I have three meals and 2 snacks a day. My snacks consist of 10 almonds, or 5 pork rinds or 1 sf popcicle. Calories run between 650-800 calories a day. I'd still like to lose another 25 lbs before having plastic surgery.

OK, here it goes... I have lost 215 pounds so far - well past my goal. My daily calorie intake is between 1200 and 1500 calories per day, but everyone is different and your body will tell you what is right for you. I eat a fairly simple plan of eating daily - I have an Achiev One Protein Latte in the morning at around 7AM, then at 8:30 I have a Power Crunch Bar. Then, at 9AM I have a bottle of Fruit2O Water. Around 10:30 or 11 I have a small single-serving bag of Snak King Tobasco Pork Rinds. For lunch, around noon, I have a Michelina's Lean Gourmet Low Carb Frozen Meal (these are always just meat and veggie). Then, around 2 I have 3 small sugar-free Murray's Ginger Snaps. Then, 1 vile of Profect Liquid Protein (25 grams in just 2.7 ounces of liquid - and it tastes great!). More water. Then, around 3:30 or 4 I have a Yoplait Carb Monitor Yogurt. I leave work, and I get home, and around 6PM I have dinner, usually a 3-4 ounce piece of lean meat/chicken/fish, and some veggies, or for a treat, 1 all-beef hotdog in a light low-carb bun with sugar-free ketchup, and 1 ounce of sweet-potato fries, or maybe 1 cup of Dreamfields Low-Carb Pasta with 1TBSP butter and sprinkled parmesan cheese, or stuff like that. Then finally, for dessert, around 8 or 9PM, I have 1 cup of fresh strawberries topped with sugar-free fat-free cool whip. Often, to fight the tartness, I will toss the strawberries (after being cut-up) in a sprinkling of Splenda and let them sit a bit before topping with the cool whip. And, with this kind of eating pattern, AND by using www.fitday.com for tracking my calories and nutrients, I manage to keep my calories always between 1200-1500, my protein is ALWAYS over 100, and my carbs are around 35, and my fat around 30 - and this is a very balanced way to eat (and as you can see, I eat ALL day) - and I never go hungry, and I still lose. Sorry for the mouthful - but I just thought I would share what works for me. But the key here is that DIFFERENT things work for DIFFERENT people - just listen to your body! God bless, Michael 215 Pounds Gone Forever!

Thanks for all your tips and encouraging words, I feel better and as you said I took the word "diet" of my vocabulary. I eat healthy food and from time to time have a few cookies or other treat, exercise and well I think I have to stop worring too much Celi