How much is too much?

I'm worrying because I can eat up to 1.5 cups of food at a time (not when I eat dense protein, but say 1/3 cup rice, 2/3 cup kung pao chicken and 1/2 cup cabbage & cottage cheese salad - it's kinda like coleslaw). Takes me at least 30 - 40 minutes and I chew the heck out of it. I don't eat this much all the time, but can on occaision without feeling uncomfortable (very full yes). I generally stop eating when satisfied (as opposed to full). My only instructions from my surgeon were to get in vitamins, 60g protein, 64 oz water and at this point 1200 - 1500 calories a day. I'm hitting all of those goals (except for calories - still haven't gotten much above 1000) without any trouble, just get worried when I see the quantities that I'm able to eat. My surgeon hasn't given me any instruction regarding portion size this far out. Today's my 3 month anniversary and I've lost 67 pounds since my last pre-surgery weigh in at my PCP's office (about 2 weeks before surgery) so it doesn't seem to be hurting my weight loss any. Anybody else out there able to eat like this? (Translation: am I normal?) Illini

At 6-8 weeks out I could eat like that. I discussed it with my Dr and he told me to stop eating after 30 minutes. If I was still eating to much, make it 20 min. We do not want to stretch our stomach any more than nessecary. Deb

EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT; SO OF COURSE YOU'RE NORMAL ... NORMAL FOR YOUR BODY, MS ILLINI! AS LONG AS YOU'RE STILL LOSING WEIGHT & YOUR LABS COME BACK GOOD, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT ... THAT'S STRAIGHT FROM MY SURGEON. A WLS FRIEND ON THE SC BOARD, MS BRITTY, GAVE SOME GREAT ADVISE. SHE SAID, "WHEN YOU WANT THAT LAST BITE, DON'T BECAUSE YOU'RE ALREADY FULL. YOUR POUCH JUST HASN'T HAD TIME TO TELL YOUR BRAIN YET." SAVES ON THAT "VERY FULL" FEELING EVERY TIME. GOD BLESS DAWN & NICK

Thanks everyone for the replies. Just started worrying. I know I shouldn't compare myself to everyone else, but I was starting to worry that I was eating too much! Love having this board for a sanity check! Thanks again, Illini

My nutritionist said not to eat any longer then 30 minutes. Your body then thinks you are grazing. Everyone is different though, and as you said, your weight loss doesn't seem to be hindered by how you are eating so just do what feels right.