A new experience, am I normal????

Hi Friends...... Today has been an odd experience. I have been able to EAT and it scares me. For lunch we went to a chinese buffet (a family fave) they had crab legs for mom's day. I had 2 small crab legs, filling from 3 crab rangoon and some egg drop soup. On the way home I drank a 32 oz Crystal light ( new too) and then in a cuple of hours wanted something and had 1 oz bag of peanuts. I just finished 3/4 of a grilled cheese! all this in addition to the regular diet of protein drinks. That is double what I have been able to eat up until now and I don't know what to think. I am hoping it is just an oddity and tomorrow will be a no appetite day!
Any advice........

Hi Cheryl - there are definitely days I feel like I can eat WAY more than my normal days or what it seems like others can eat that are similar in surgery dates.  I've noticed the ability to eat more often coincides with my time of the month, but not always.  I'm already learning the importance of being mindful - I'm only five months out and I could VERY easily see how one could return to bad habits, even this early out.  Certain foods go down super easy (slider foods like crackers) and I have to be really careful with this.  I would say make the best choices you can in terms of what you select, keep the protein coming in first, meet your water/protein goals, and just focus on that.  Try to not let the quantity fluctuations drive you nuts, but be mindful.  Hang in there!

Recently, I'm noticing the same thing.  I always start my day by drinking ice water.  Some days I can barely drink 4 oz before I leave for work, others I can drink 16 oz.  Then, the same for food that day.  Seems like some days the new stomach just is feeling better than others.

I think that as our stomach heals we can eat more food. Also depending on what the food is we can eat larger quantities.

Here is what I have noticed so far.
0-3 months out about 1/4th - 1/2th cup of food at a time.
4-5 months about about 1/2-3/4 cup at a time.
6+ 1/2-1 cup.

Sometimes it is scary how much food I can eat. I grew so accustomed to only being able to have a few bites.

Over the last 2 months I've been in a "stall". I talked to my surgeon about this during my 6 month check up and he said I just need to watch my calories. Yeah, whatever.. blah blah. But he was right.

I am hungry more often now and I can eat more. I went from forcing myself to eat 3 times a day to eating 3 meals and 2 snacks a day! I was getting hungry in the afternoons and I wasnt prepared for that so I would hit up the vending machine and get pretzels or animal crackers.

I have since started bringing fruit with me for an afternoon snack. I find that it is extreemly filling and usually only 70-90 calories which is schweett! :)

OK RANT OVER....

You sound totally normal. It is a bit freaky to realize you can eat, but it is part of the process. :)

I agree with Michelle. Get your water and protein first. Some days I can eat more than others, I asked the nurse about this at my surgeon's office and she says it's normal for us. Some days you can barely eat and others you can eat more. I don't think I have found any trend for myself about when it happens.

For the last poster...instead of the fruit and animal crackers, try some beef jerkey. it is low in calories and some extra protein for you.

If you're feeling you can eat more, try to get dense protein. it will keep you full longer and at least you are adding a benefit of being able to eat more on that day.

I'm 15 months out and I still don't get hungry. I'm not sure if it's just that hunger feels different than before, but I still eat on schedule so I don't forget to eat. I know when my stomach feels empty and I should probably have something but that's about it.

You all were definitely right. The last couple of days have been 3-4 bites, twice a day and no more! I am still drinking all of my protein so I am keeping up with that.
This new life is a trip!