Portion/Eating Question

As I am sure everyone has experienced post op, I am unable to finish pre measured portions.  I measured 2.5 oz of chicken for lunch and got full after a few bites.  I doubt I even got 1 ounce down. Question - should I set a goal to at some point during the day, finish that portion so that I get the protein in? Or, do i move on to the next snack/meal at the necessary time?  AFter approximately 1 hour, I was fine to eat a little more of my lunch, but I dont want to overdo it. In my head I am balancing not trying to hard to finish my food (pre WLS problem) with making sure I am getting in enough proteins/sustenance per day.

Thoughts? 

I've found the most important thing is that you DO stop when you feel full.  Even if you haven't finished your pre-measured meal.  Listen to your new signals and put the fork down before you overdo it.  If I haven't finished a planned meal, I'll set it aside for an hour or so, and if I feel like finishing it, then I do.  Sometimes my pre-planned lunch ends up being lunch and dinner. 

It's hard to get in all the protein (even at my stage - 12 weeks), but I know I'll get sick if I pu**** so I need to listen to the signals and stop when I feel full.

I usually try to incorporate it into another meal or snack, but I absolutely never allow myself to eat more than six times (3 meals and 3 snacks) in a day. Doing so will set you up for grazing behavior later on. Plus it makes it more difficult to get in enough water without drinking too close to meals. Eating a meal so slowly that you are able to fit more in is how people eat around their surgery. I doubt you want to risk engaging in that type of behavior. If you can't get in enough protein, drink a protein shake. Once you are full, that meal is done. No more eating until the next meal or snack.

At one month out, few of us could eat 2.5 oz of dense protein. I think at that point I could handle about a tablespoon of tuna, tops! Your stomach is still swollen a bit and your capacity will increase a bit as you finish healing.

Your best bet is to err on the side of smaller portions and log ONLY what goes in your mouth. That will give you a more accurate picture of where you're at, and if you need to prepare more food later in the day to hit your protein goal, you can do so.

I can't finish a 2.5 Oz packet of tuna, but I can eat most of a 5oz yogurt. If I'm at work I will put my leftovers in the fridge and finish them a few hours later. At work, the dogs eat my leftovers ;)