Is this Normal?

My wife and I had surgery on the September 1. Our doctor has us on a kind of intermediate phase. Between clear liquids and soft mushy foods, he has us eating thicker soups (blended vegetable soup, cream of mushroom, etc). There's no discomfort and the weight is coming off. Everything seems to be going fine...maybe a little too fine.

Everyone keeps talking about how they can only consume just tiny amounts in what sounds like a very long time. I have always been a fast eater and I am trying to slow down but I have no problem drinking a 24 oz drink in 15-20 minutes (not gulping, but normal sips). I can "eat" my cup of vegetable soup in 10 minutes or so. About the same for protein shakes. 

Will things slow down when I get to soft foods? I hate to think I went through all this and the sleeve is to big... or something else is wrong.

I know "normal" is a subjective term but, is this normal?

Yes, it's normal, and you'll be better able to feel your stomach's restriction once you are able to move to more solid foods. Don't rush things, though! Just stick to getting in all the protein and fluids your surgeon asks you get in. Good job!

It's pretty normal.  There's lots of variable results when dealing with liquids.  I never had any difficulty what so ever.

It'll slow down some when you switch to mushy foods and will slow down further with solids.  Don't worry about it.

When you try to eat the first peice of relatively dry meat you'll see LOL.

Just wait until you get to solids! That's when it really hits! It's like WHAM! I could only eat about a third of a single scrambled egg!

There is an app for your Iphone    called  "Eat Slower"  it can allow you to see how long you have been waiting between bites  or how long you are  you are chewing / sipping food  

It has really helped me

Best wishes to you and you wife

Jan

Thank for the app suggestion. I really needed something like it. I'm 2 weeks post op and have to work on SLOWING DOWN!

Oh yes. Totally normal. Everyone's normal is a little different though.  For example on if the last posts referenced 1/3 of an egg. I could eat  a whole egg when I got to that phase...but give me chicken, fish, beef...the restriction is there BAM. I couldn't eat 3 ounces of dense protein (meat) if my life depended on it.  Enjoy the journey! :-)

You'll find that dense protein take a while- I am 10 months out and 4 oz of roasted chicken or grilled steak takes a while to get down and fill me up.  And forget bread - one slice of toast will sit in my sleeve like a pound of clay. 

It's hard to slow down, I've always been a fast eater, but I advise you to try it now while you are on mushy foods, because you need to get used to not eating in quantity.  Liquids and sliders do not give y ou an idea what your sleeve will feel like with "real" food.