One month post opers--how much are you eating?

Okay, I really never thought I'd be one to post a thread like this. I always figured stuff is very individual, so it wouldn't matter what someone said, but after an "incident" today I'm a little concerned.

I have been having a very easy time with everything I have eaten (except for my week with bronchitis--ooh that was bad!). Nothing has made me nauseous, nothing gets stuck, nothing comes back up, no foamies. I've had chicken, beef, crab, shrimp, toasted whole grain english muffin--no problems. Well, I've been diligently measuring about 2 to 2-1/2 ounces of protein and just a little bit of something else like green beans or whatever. Anyway, today I got a chicken cordon bleu thing recommended on the boards. I was on the phone while I made it and ate it. I shared a few bites with my two year old and saved a bite for the dog. Anyway, I went to the package to check the protein again and saw it said the chicken was 5-1/2 ounces!!!!!! Huh? Granted, I'm sure my daughter probably got at least an ounce and there was quite a bit of juice that came out into the pan and that would have caused it to be a little lighter, but I was pretty surprised by the amount I was able to eat. My nuts recommendations say now that I can have 4-6 ounces per meal, but everything I read on these boards is about people eating 3 bites and not being able to finish. There are certain things I eat that make me full faster than others and this was almost like chopped chicken formed into a patty so I'm wondering if it was just more slidery than regular chicken.

I just really wanted to hear from you guys because I want to get on the horn with my doc if this is really unusual.

Thanks everyone!

Denise

 I had my surgery on the 2nd.  I haven't eaten anything that made me feel "full"  I just feel different than before.  I am just putting the amount of food on my plate that I am supposed to have and eating it very slowly.  I guess if I had more it would just take me longer to eat it since chewing takes forever.  I still have rumblings like I am starving to death- I am sure I am not starving- it just is different than before.  A new that will become custom.  I have eaten crab, crab cakes, shrimp, tilapia and cod.  Broccoli, zucchini and green beans.  I did have a piece of toast and did ok with it.

Congrats on your surgery. One day before me! I am definitely right there with you. Lots of rumbling like hunger tummy, but not. I think you said it well--it is definitely different than before. Glad to see someone else is tolerating lots of stuff and it isn't just that my pouch is broken!
I will definitely not be talking on the phone and eating any time soon!

Thanks for your comments!

Denise

I think that's why they tell us to not be distracted while we eat....LOL! Like anyone with kids in the house can eat uninterrupted! I don't think it's unusual, I've read things like this on the boards alot and your surgeon will probably just remind you to measure and weigh. That's great though that you've had such an easy time with the food!
I'm 3 weeks out and eating about 2 tbsp at each meal.

I'm still only managing about 2 -3 ounces total per meal and 2 -3 meals per day. The water is going down better and it seems like I'm thirsty all the time.
I have had a couple of things get stuck but I think I got distracted and didn't chew well enough. It wasn't a pleasant experience. I intend to be more careful. I'm technically still on the soft foods stage but I don't always puree everything. I won't be moved up to solids until April 20 when I go back to my surgeon. Seems like a long time away. Still, I'm pretty happy with what I am eating now.
Karen

I just got moved up to solids on Tues this week.  I can eat anything now, EXCEPT, NO beef, pork or grapes.  Weird how surgeons differ so much.  Anyhow, I went to Costco and purchased one of their roasted chickens and ate about 1 oz of thigh meat and was in pure heaven.  It did feel a bit heavy for a bit, but no problems.  I was a bit careful, because of the tramatic event I had with salmon three weeks ago.  Also, I met several people at a new support group meeting that said they still could not eat chicken at all and they were 4-6 months out.

I also bought some hummus at Costco.  I did not realize I bought SPICY humus.  It is Chipotle flavor and it is HOT.  It tasted so good, but I was afraid it was too hot, so mixed some with cottage cheese and piled it on two low carb crackers.  BTW,  what is considered "low carb" for us WLS people?  Those two crackers piled with hummus/cottage cheese were incredible yummy.  The crackers said 5 crackers were 70 calories, so I figured 2 would be plenty to have.

I am supposed to eat 2 oz at a time, 4-5 times a day.  EDITED to add, I was so full after eating those two crackers, that it was 6 hours before I was wanting to eat again.

I am still about and ounce or two about 2 times a day. Food doesn't seem to like me at the moment. I am lucky to get in some things. Like yesterday I had a one egg omlette with ham peppers onions and mushrooms and later on during the day I had some vegatable barley soup. I still drink a protein shake in the morning to start my day off. I am not big on the food aspect right now but when I can eat I do eat. I have gotten sick after eating cause my new pouch still doesn't tell me when I am full. I get a shooting pain through my neck and then my mouth waters then . So thats what is happening with me at the present moment. I hope all is going good for you.
~Cathy~

Tonight, I made Talapia with a low fat saltine crushed up with Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and greek seasoning for breading, the whole meal was awesome! Of course My nut said to make sure I eat mostly protein, then move to the veggie, then starch, if I can. Tonight I ate about 4 oz all together, and I had to stop myself after a few green beans. So, normally I stop at 3 or 4 oz, and I am done. That is about where I should be, my nut says that I was to work up to a whole cup!!! I am wondering how in the world could I eat that much!

It's good to have all this feedback. Thanks guys. Oh, and I had Tilapia tonight too. It was AWESOME! But yes, my meals tend to be 2 oz protein, a few bites of a side like veggie or potato and that is about it.

Thanks!

Denise

I'm usually drinking about 8 oz. protein shake for breakfast, that includes 1/2 a banana. Other than that, I can get in about 4 oz. of cream of wheat, or one egg.

Tonight seemed like a lot. I had 1 oz. of lean turkey (shaved lunch meat style) with 3/4 oz. of low fat swiss cheese rolled together. I could only eat about 1/2 of it.  I am finding it really varies, how much I can eat, on what the food is.  I have  had a meal that was 2 oz. salmon and 1 oz. crab meat, then full.  I haven't even started on veggies or fruits,  much less crackers. 

I have to eat slow to fill the fullness, and am getting pretty good at stopping just before that feeling.
It's going to take us all some time.....

good luck- and you are not abnormal...lol