How much do you eat?

I have a question for our post-op veterans: how much do you eat at each meal? I'm never quite sure if I'm eating too much, or not enough, or just the right amount. I've been eating as my nutritionist told me: protein first, then fruits and veggies, and carbs last, and usually I feel full before I get to more than a couple of spoonfuls of the carbs. But I'm not sure how much protein (salmon, say) and veggies (steamed vegetables, for example) I should be starting with. Tonight, for example, I had 2 cups of steamed veggies and about a half-cup of scallops, no carbs (like rice), and it didn't seem to satiate me, even tho I thought it would. Also, some mornings I don't feel like eating much and just have an Atkins protein shake but worry about whether that is nutritionally sufficient. Some evenings I'm dying for a snack, although that may be just force of habit. I know that each person is different, but would you please share your experiences?

Hi Bette, I know we had different surgeries, but I can't eat 1/2 of what you are eating now. I can only hold down about 2-3 oz of food at any one meal. I might eat a few tablespoons of cottage cheese or yogurt for breakfast, or one egg, and then some tuna for lunch (just a few tablespoons) and some chicken for dinner - again just a few bites. I'm never hungry - always thirsty, and get full from drinking. I haven't started eating anything full of fat or sugar - with the exception of cheese. I did have some popcorn last night at the movies - it seemed to go down fine - but that is it for snacks. We are all different, and if you really are wondering, you might want to call your surgeon's office and ask them if you appear to be on track. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -36 lbs

Lap banding is so very diferent than RNY, so I probably won't be abl eto help much. But, it does sound like you are on the right track. But, 1 1/2 cups of food is a lot. Maybe you shouldbe looking at ounces of protein rather than volume. You should ask your nutritionist for specifics on ounces, in your case. Because you are not as dramatically restricted as a RNY'er, you should be sure to understand your quantites. Also, make sure you re-visit this quantity question after you have any fills. Sorry I can't be more helpful, but I do think this is a question for 'the pros'