Inconsistent Pouch

 About 4.5 years out from RNY and the amount I can eat, even when eating the exact same food seems to vary by about  100%. Not sure why, but sometimes I can eat nearly twice as much of the same food under the exact same conditions. Has anyone else experienced this? 

Fortunately, it seems to coincide with how hungry I'm feeling at the time.

Not gaining any weight other than the usuall up 5 lbs, down 5 lbs thing that I've had since I was one year out.

Thanks,

Dave

Wow. It's kinda depressing that food intake is still so variable after several years out.
Just wondering.. can you eat more when you are hungry or less?
I am surprised at how little I can eat. Way less than a month ago. and .. for me too it is very inconsistent.
It's frustrating when you order something in a restaurant and only get to eat a couple bites. or spend the time cooking something really delicious and after 2 bites your full.
Do you find you can eat more in the early part of the day than at dinner?

I curious to know what a "normal" portion would be when you are past 6 months and your pouch is supposed to be it's new size.
I can only eat 1/2 cup of chili, or 3 bites of a chicken breast, or maybe an 1.5 once of any meat.

If it weren't for protein shakes.. I'd never get enough protein.. These portions are not "child size".. My 2 year old grandson eats more than me!!

I alternate between being thrilled that I'm full on such a small amount.. and worrying that it's just not enough food.

One girl at a support meeting told me that I need to "get over" thinking that I had to eat  a lot of food. That a couple bites was fine. She was 1.5 years out and said.. she eats way less than her kids.. BUT she was like 5 feet tall and very tiny...   Will I eat like a bird for the rest of my life?
What size portions should I expect to eat?
John

 John,

Generally, I can eat more when I'm hungry, though that is not always the case. The most chicken breast that I can eat would be about 1.5 pieces, yet sometimes I get full on only half that amount.

I think you'll eventually get to the point where you can eat an entire plate full of food. This is where the exercise comes in to prevent weight gain. The blessing of RNY is being able to keep weight off with effort, as opposed to gaining weigh not matter what you do.

I suppose that is psychological eating. Everyone has it. Sometimes I too feel like I need to eat "a lot" and can't. 

Protein shakes are good. I used to do more, but now only 40 grams a day in the form of a morning coffee/ hot cocoa/ Isopure concoction. Sounds like you need more than that due to your limited food intake.

Hard to say what a normal food portion would be. I eat a lot of stuff like lettuce and beans that either contain a lot of air or turn to liquid, but generally a large dinner plate full of anything will fill me up. If I eat bread, 1-2 slices fill me up.  Sweets generally don't fill me up at all and the dumping really isn't that severe.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions.


Dave

Hey Dave,

6 years out next week and I have the same thing happen to me, one day I can eat a whole sandwich the next day only a 1/4 of one.  It doesn't happen often, but It happends often enough that I notice it.  I don't know why but must be somewhat normal if 2 of us have it happen.

2.5 years out here, and have the very same issue.  Sometimes I suprise myself with what I can eat.  I feel more restriction after long periods of NOT eating, when I feel like I could eat a horse. 

I know of someone who is 7 years post RNY.  Has the same situation.  Sometimes it just seems the stomach is "Closed".  I'm just 3 month's plus post RNY and have the same thing.  Some days seems like I can eat what ever I want and not have any issues.  Other days, a bit or two and I'm done!  Just something to get used to...

 Thanks to the posters who came later. Noticed today that I got full off of one chicken leg-thigh combination, when sometimes it's close to twice that.

Grapefruits are another one (peeling and eating them like oranges); sometimes one, sometimes 1.5-2. 

Mystery.