How much can you eat?

Thank You Julio for the encouragment! Your right Its not a race, I just have to pace myself and show some endurance! Today I seem to be doing everything right and I feel pretty good. We are all going to succeed like you said in the end.

LK, I'm 6 months out on the 30th, and like you worry about what and how much I eat. It's proof that every weightloss surgery's program is different, because, while you're allowed to have sandwiches, I've not been released to have anything "white" or "white derivative" ... translation: no bread, no rice, no pasta, no potatoes, etc. I use a shallow salad bowl (about 1 and 1/4" deep) as my "dinnerplate" and I measured it as 8 fluid oz capacity. I don't weigh my food so I don't know the exact oz of the food each time I eat. I just never fill that bowl to the sides or above the depth of it. I'm eating mainly cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, chicken, fish, and white-meat pork (can't tolerate beef well, or eggs), some fruits. Usually my meat portion is no more than the size of a very small chicken breast or half a butterfly porkchop. I have 2-3 tablespoons of cooked veggies with my meat usually. It takes me (maybe) 20 minutes to eat a meal. I'm presently in a plateau (last two weeks), but I'd lost 110 lbs by the time that started. Weighed 400+ before surgery, so I've still got a LOT of weight to lose. When I type out here what I'm eating it doesn't seem like much compared to pre-surgery ... but in my head it certainly seems like too much. My hunger has returned now, so I feel as if I'm constantly battling the urge to "graze" ... and I combat that (for now, I'm succeeding) with more protein drinks, fruit or cheese, and water. Trust me, don't think you're alone in worrying you've stretched your pouch ... I do too, because I can eat sooooooo much more than to begin with. I think it's only human to be worried about it. Best wishes, Myra

Wow, I can't imagine being able to eat that much. My surgeon tells all his patients before surgery that for the rest of our lives we will be eating 2oz at our meals. I was a bad girl and stopped using my 2oz cup to measure but on August 25 I started measuring my 2oz's for my 3 meals a day and also measuring liquids to make sure I get in 100oz of something sugar free a day. I have lost 14 pounds since then, it would have been more but I had PMS until yesterday. The scales started moving again this morning though. I know all surgeons are different and we each gotta do what we feel we need to and I am doing exactly what he told me too cause its working for me. I don't snack, no chips, no popcorn, no breads. Meats baked or grilled. Cheese and eggs and tuna plain. My weight slowed to about 10 pounds a month before I started doing what I was supposed too. I don't know what to tell ya. I am just going to do what I need too. I do know once I reach goal, I will be eating 5-6 2oz meals a day to maintain. Hugs Angela Open RNY 3/24/05 313/229/140???

I think the key is not how much you can eat, but how much you should eat. Just because you can eat that much doesn't mean that you should. Or if you are really hungry, eat a salad or fruit. Especially since you say you are lacking self control, try to eat things that are low in calories so even if you feel you are eating a lot, it won't stall your weight loss. You are still doing great with your weight loss. Go ahead and talk to your doctor about what you are able to eat. You never know, they may even think you are eating just fine or they can give you some pointers about what to eat. Don't be ashamed to talk to your doctor. I feel like I can eat a lot at times myself. But I've never stopped losing weight so I figure I must be doing something right. Keep your chin up and good luck. Kerri -101lbs

Are you drinking when you eat? That is probably how you are able to eat a sub and chips at one sitting. I can eat a 1/2 a 6" sub and a few chips at this point, but not the whole bag or the whole sub. We are all different though, so what one person can or can't eat differs from the next and that doesn't mean it's right or wrong. You NEED to have SELF-CONTROL!! Remember, this surgery is not a cure-all for obesity. It's just a tool and we still have to do all the work. I'm finding now at 6 months out that the "work" is beginning for me. It was a walk in the park the first few months, but now I have to make right food choices. I find myself falling into my bad before eating habits now and then and I catch myself and STOP! I didn't have this surgery to get to 278 lbs. I still have a hundred more pounds to go and I have to work at it. (I started at 376.) The surgeon gave us a tool - we just need to use it and work at it. Hang in there! You are not alone! Trisha -98 lbs

You are all right!!!!!!!!!! I have read all your posts and agree with everyone here....I too feel like I am eating toooo much, I have had 1/2 of a turkey sandwich, I can eat about 1/2 of a dinner plate, I am also scared and now its time to watch that my old habits dont come back...I worked to hard to let my habits come back, I wish this was brain surgery tooooooooo......Best of luck to all. Janice 231/159/ hopefully trying to get down to 130ish