eating too much at a time?

I am freaking out! I can eat about 6 oz of cheese at a time and still not get that full! I am just using this as an example because at the beginning, I could only eat about 1 oz. of cheese and 1 oz. of deli meat for a meal. I know that the stomach naturally stretches but it's really bothering me. I don't WANT to be able to eat more! I WANT to feel FULL, or even a little SICK so that I will know to stop. If I don't feel full, I'll eat more. I've ALWAYS been this way and I'm scared that even with this surgery I won't be able to change that. Maybe I stretched my pouch this past month when I was drinking a couple of diet cokes a day???????? I have heard the horror stories about the carbonation, but I drank slowly. Still no excuse. I stopped though - my diet coke phase only lasted about one week. But I'm still worried that might be the cause? I'll talk to my doctor about it next month. Is anyone experiencing the same worry right now as we are about 3 months out?? Thanks! xeni wls LAP RNY 2/18/04 422/377/150 -77 lbs forever!

I think that the texture and density of food makes a big difference. I can eat more of cottage cheese than I can of chicken, more of cheese than I can of chicken too. The only time I feel full is when I overeat or eat too fast. Then I feel stuffed. I am working hard on "being satisfied" not full. Some days I can eat more than others. I do a lot of judging how much food is enough and force myself at times not to eat more. Old habits can be hard to break. Don't know the answer about the carbonation, definitely ask your doctor. I gave up sodas over a year before surgery, so haven't been tempted by them fortunately. Mary

Thank you Mary. I wish I was as focused as you. Even when I eat fast, I'm fine. It didn't used to be that way. I'm so frustrated. And embarrassed to talk to my doctor about this. She'll kill me if she knows I even touched a soda. But I know I have to be honest. Thanks again! Today is a new day. P.S. YIKES what did they do to my picture? The small part was supposed to be a circle inside the larger picture - that's how I made it in photoshop LOL.

It's definitely day by day process. Sometimes it is hard to "fess up" with the doctor, but I commend you for doing that ... it is really important that she know all the facts. Try slowing down your eating ... taking at least 20 to 30 minutes for a meal. Remember we are all learning new habits. Try weighing and measuring food for a while too. If you get the munchies, have a sugar free snow cone, sugar free popsicle, Atkins Crunchers (good chip replacement altho pricey). If you have cheese try to be sure it is a low fat version. Cheese is loaded with sodium and can cause water retention/weight gain too. Also if you have any problem with constipation, cheese can make it worse. Take it a day at a time ... you are doing great. Mary

Well, I know I can eat more some days than others. What kind of cheese are you talking about? I don't know if I could eat 6 oz. of hard cheddar cheese at one sitting, but probably two things of string cheese. I don't even know how many oz. they have. I hope you are drinking the drinks after they have gone flat. I tried a sip of coke the other day, and boy did I burp. LOL I seriously would lay off the cokes if you can. Debbie -51

I can definately eat more at different times. mostly in the evening. mary is right it is allll about texture! i am on a kick this week of taking a large leaf of lettuce putting a dab of low fat mayo, 1/2 of a thin round slice of colby jack cheese and a slice of turkey, dice cucumbers, salt/pepper and rolling it up...YUM! in the morning for a snack i can only take maybe 2 bites. in the evening for dinner i can eat the whole thing...which in reality is only about the size of 2 fingers put together. now for the soda issue. i gave up diet coke before surgery. didn't crave one until about 5 weeks out. i tried one at a friends house when she made it for me as she didn't know i had given it up. it took me 45 minutes to take 3 drinks. did it taste good yes!! it didn't seem to cause bloating or gas for me. i have had a couple more in the last several weeks. i can never drink more than a 1/2 of one. so if i read your post right you have had at different times a couple a day? is it bad for me and my pouch? i don't know....the opinions differ. i know it curbs those sweet cravings. i know i should be telling you to give it up but if i did that i would be being hypocritical as i have tried it myselfLOL! to give yourself peace of mind you may want to check with your doc. Kelly

Hey Debbie~ just an FYI one thing of string cheese is only 1 oz!! Can you believe it?! I used to eat two of them for breakfast and then something else to get my 4 oz. (1/2 cup). I dont know if I could eat more than 2 pieces of string cheese but thought I would share if you didnt already know!! sarah

I also think Mary is right...texture makes a huge difference in what I can eat. Fish is better than chicken, ground beef is pretty good, especially in stews, chillis, etc. Wheat thins are better than bread, etc. 6 oz. of cheese (are we talking processed slices which go down easy) or hard cheese like cheddar (which is very, very dense) would be tough for me to do; generally 1 string cheese stick will satisfy me when I need a snack. Susan Maria says you CANNOT stretch your pouch with liquid...don't know if that goes for sodas or not. I loved Coke before surgery, but haven't had any since. For me, it's had to be mind over matter...I just simply get something else to drink and make myself stay away. I'm afraid if I started again, I'd be unable to quit. I'm sure I'll have a coke one of these days, but I'm waiting till it's blistering hot so I'll REALLY enjoy it! Julie -61

Just a high Five for the -61lbs! Weigh to go! Debbie -51

Thanks, Debbie. It's nice...this was apparently my week to drop a significant number of pounds....now I'll probably hold pretty steady for another 2-3 weeks. That seems to be the pattern I've settled into. You're doing great too! When will we see an updated picture of the new you? Julie