Hunger and the pouch

Ok we are 6 mo out now, and I almost feel normal hunger. Not the growling stomach like before but a hungry like I need to eat lunch/dinner feeling. Is this happening to anyone? I feel like I can eat too much, anywhere from 6-9 oz. I see people posting and they eat 2oz of meat and 2oz of veggies well that will halfway fill me up. It scares me a little because I do not want to be one that has to have a surgery revision down the road or have a lap band on my pouch. *SIGH* I remember when I was 1-2 mo out and was wishing when I could eat a little normal again and now I wish I could go back to the 4oz satisfying me. Sorry to vent but just curious about everyone else, I know we are not suppose to compare ourselves to others but I like to get pointers from others. Thanks guys, Erin

Hi Erin, I think you know that I don't eat those little portions. I can eat 4 oz of chicken and a 1/4 to 1/2 cup soft veggies. If they are just a little steamed and more raw in nature then less more like the 1/4 cup. I basically realized not long ago that with combination denser meats and veggies are around 6 oz total, if I am eating chili, its 1 cup. I am too like you and have the same fear but doc assured me its ok. This weekend I was eating my 4 oz of meat and some veggies but had it on a smaller plate... people looked at it and said, wow you eat normal person portions now.. Sigh that upsetted me for some reason but I guess we can't expect to eat 2 oz forever. I am still losing so I am not gonna get to worried. I just know as the portion sizes increases over this year to year and a half that we need to make sure we are eating good foods or the cals could really add up. I think you are doing fine, but then gain we don't differ in this regard and others may.

Thanks Melissa, you are such a good support for me and others. You what though, I think I am going to give up my shake in the am. That's all I eat for b-fast and I think that by not haveing any real protein in the am it sets me up to be a little hungrier aroud the 3-4 pm hour. Tommorrow morning I am going to try and eat b-fast(most of the time I do not feel like it. We'll see what happens. I really do want to keep my portions to where they are now, no bigger. I really try and watch the 30-20-30 rule and I will never drink bubbly stuff again.Do you drink any green tea? I am going to increase my green tea intake, I read somewhere on here that it help fight fat, and I am trying to stick by the plateau buster way of eating(basically no carbs, which I felt myself going back too) My doctor program is strictly 3 meals a day no snacking, but I really prefer 5 small meals a day, but like I said I think I need to not drink the shake anymore even though I really like it(tastes like chocolate soy milk, but no added sugar) Well thanks for letting me babble, I apprciate it. I just posted a couple more pics of me, my son is in one, Thanks again Melissa for all your wonderful support!!! Hugs, Erin

I asked the nut yesterday how much I should be eating and she said it depends on the density of the food. If I am eating chili or beans, it should be a half cup... but if it is xomething like a salad it would measure more. Well I can tell ya that I can eat more than that and that is scary.

Same here i could prob eat 6-9 oz too. not sure cause we are still suppose to be eating 4 oz at a time. 3 of protein 1oz veggie spoon of complex carb. Ive been way out of control this week. portions bad food. ive broke out the measuring cups again today and vow to get this right. i swore i would never been one of those i read about that blew the surgery! Gotta keep my word! Dont wanna do this 3/4 of the way. Didn't spend 20 grand for that. Im at 175 and i hope to make 160 at the least. Of course i still dream of being 130 or 140 like alot of the photos i see of people that started at my weight but i dont think thats realistic.

I am right there with you. I am 179 today and want to be at least 160 if not 130-140. Lets keep eachother motivated since our goals are so similar, we can do this. I don't limit myself to 4 oz though, don't plan to. If I did this I would not be able to not "snack" or graze. Ya know? I like being satisfied at my meals just not over full. I never get anything stuck though.. never, never have and I never throw up. I never have any reminders I had this surgery other than I get fuller quicker. Sometimes I wish I did though. Seems I am the minority on this one. We can do this.. I want 140 so bad, lets see it happen!

Well we are all here for the support. I have a scale at home and I weigh out 8oz of food and eat just that, sometimes with a little left over. But I struggle too, really staying away from the carbs....bad carbs!!!! Keep in touch...Erin

Your doing great! and thanks for the advice.....Erin

Hey Erin, I bet you will feel much more satisfied eating denser proteins for breakfast. Believe it or not a 2 oz lean ham steak and 1 egg is uber filling.. you might try that! It is only like 160 cals for both and like 17 proteins! Sometimes I can't even fini**** all if I go slow enough. I never go outside my drinking rules.. I really wait at least an hour to drink after my meals, i like the full feeling, this has really helped me. Interesting about the green tea, I might get some from lipton it has some caffeine but not much compared to coffee or other teas. My doc's program is also 3 meals, I told them on my 6 month visit I usually do 4 and watch my cals, they were ok with that from what I could tell. They didn't say not to. It was hard for me to give up my shakes but I had to at 4.5 months out, I knew i could get all my protein from food and be way more satisfied. It helped a lot. Your pics are awesome, way to go!!! Keep up the great work and keep inspiring. You sure do inspire me! Hugs back. Melissa

Hey Melissa, I think you are right. I am offically off the protien drink for now, even though I really love it. I may still drink a glass of soy milk w/cocoa during the am but without the protien powder. I ate a hard boiled egg and some lunchmeat for breakfast today. Not too bad. I have been going to no drinking for 60 min after the meal too, sometimes I am really thirsty so I'll take a sip but I think it will help me feel fuller longer. Thanks for the compliments I will look at your new pics and I'll look for your threads! Have a great rest of the week...Erin