How do you know how much to eat?

I just got back from my 6 day postop DR's visit and had my drains removed!!! Yeah ( I also have lost 16lbs...which is amazing since I feel like I've gained 10.. hopefully just from the gas build up from the surgery) The 1st thing I was supposed to eat was an egg and cheese. So we stopped at IHOP by the office and I ordered a one egg cheese omelet! I could barely eat 1/4 of it! I feel really bloated and I think I was afraid to over eat! I guess because I feel so bloated I was afraid I wouldn't feel full?? Any advice?? Janelle

I'm not "eating" real food yet, but even on my liquid diet, I hestiate to take more than 5 spoonfuls. I've done a few more and had pain. I figure I can alway eat a bit more if the 5 spoonfuls didn't cause me any distress. Mmmm, eggs and cheese - sounds yummy!

I am on soft foods. I've been measuring out my meals usually no more than about 2 oz. I was getting really worried because I haven't felt that "full" feeling. I haven't been hungry either but I was missing that full feeling of the old days....UNTIL today. I made my protein shake a little bigger than usual (16 oz of mil**** protein mix). I drank half of it kinda fast....BIG MISTAKE. My chest started hurting almost immediately followed by dry heaving (and praying SOMETHING would come up) for 10 minutes before I was able to burp (thank you GOD). The FULL feeling lasted for about 30 minutes and I NEVER want to feel it again. SO my advice is to make sure you go slow and REALLY listen to your body. I know everything feels different to me now and I am still deciphering the new codes. Best of luck to you. MsSmiles

Well, my doctor instructs that you should eat no more than 1-2ounces at a time within a 45 minute set eating time. I tried eating more and believe me..it is not a pretty thing...I was so bloated and stuffed that I couldn't eat or drink for hours. It felt like the food was stuck in my esophogus. Thankfully, I stayed still ride the tide of the bloated, fullness and cramping until I was able to sip some water. Learning our bodies is the adventurous part that we all don't really think aobut. nepo

For me it just depends on what it is. For instance, in the morning I like to have a 1/2 piece of white toast w/ 1 tsp peanut butter and chopped bananas (about 1/4 of a whole one) and 1/2 c 1% milk and I'm stuffed but not in pain. If I eat cottage cheese, I can eat 1/2 c and I'm fine. Last night I had about a 2" sq piece of meatloaf, 2 tbs of mashed potatoes and about 4(noodles) of shells n cheese and I was stuffed. You'll know when you've had too much and honestly, I think you should at least once try eating until you know it's too much. This way you'll know what your limit is.