Am I eating too much?

I'm 5 weeks post-op and feeling disappointed in the amount of weight I've lost.  Two weeks after surgery I had lost 29lbs.  Then 2 weeks after that (4 weeks post-op) I had only lost 3 more lbs.  For a week now I've been the same weight.  Am I eating too much?  I know I could move/exercise more.  I'm a teacher and still off for the summer.  So, too much sitting and watching daytime T.V. 

Now that I'm 5 weeks out my stomach isn't so sick feeling anymore and it seems like I'm able to eat more food. I'm also having a hard time telling when I'm full.  That was a problem before surgery for sure.

This is an example of a day's menu for myself:

B: 1/2 c. oatmeal, 1 string cheese, 1/2 banana

L: 1/4 c. tuna salad w/light mayo, 1/4 c. applesauce, 1/4 c. fat free yogurt

D: 1/2 c. tilapia, 1/4 c. potato w/butter, 1/4 c. sf pudding

I'm also getting in 2 cups of Fairlife milk with 1 scoop of Designer Whey protein (eventhough I don't like the taste) 

It does seem like a lot to me for someone 5 weeks out. I was told to eat 1/2 of cup of food at one sitting in the beginning. What are your instructions from your surgeon?

It does seem a lot. I'm 6 months 1 week out and can't even eat that much. I have 1 shake for breakfast which is water and 1 scoop of protein powder and some ice and it takes me 45 minutes just to drink it. At lunch and dinner I eat about 2 ounces of protein either beef, chicken, pork or fish, plus a bite or 2 of green beans and I'm full.  I usually have a snack of hot protein coca. Are you following your Doctors recommendations? 

That seems like a lot to me for being only 5 weeks out.  I was lucky if I could eat 1/4 cup.  Also...ditch the oatmeal, banana, applesauce and potatoes.  There are too many simple carbs in them and they will slow your weight loss.  Concentrate on protein.  You don't need to think about getting fruits and veggies this early.  If you are taking your vitamins, you are getting all you need.  You want your body to burn fat, not carbs, for energy.

The nerves in your stomach have been cut and you will not feel the full sensation for quite awhile.  This is why it is so important to measure your food.  Did your surgeon give you measuring guidelines?  Don't eat until you feel full.  Many of us have used the "full feeling" as an emotional crutch.  Measure your portion out and eat only that amount.  Retraining yourself to be satisfied with a small portion is very important.  As obese people, we have a skewed idea of what a proper portion size looks like.  That's how we gained weight in the first place.  

Use this time to change everything about the way you relate to food.  It's hard work, but you are worth the effort!

I'm 5 weeks out, too and that's definitely more than I'm eating. How does it add up for protein, calories, carbs and fat? 

I get in about 70-90g protein and 600 calories. I'm still figuring out the right balance of carbs and fat for me. 

I'd also try to cut out the oatmeal, fruit, and potato and add more lean meats. If it's not high protein, get rid of it! 

And try 6 teeny high protein meals--I'm not hungry when I schedule that appropriately!

My nutritionist at the surgeon's office said I can eat 1 cup of food per meal.  She wants me to eat three meals a day and no snacking.  She also wants me to drink 2 cups of milk (preferably with protein powder).  

I do need to drop the oatmeal, fruit and potatoes because I'm struggling to get in 60 grams of protein.  Any breakfast ideas with high protein? I really don't like the protein shakes but I'll choke them down if I have to.

Thanks everyone!

I would never suggest going against a nutritionist's advice, but I think it would be worth making an appointment and asking some questions. I have a hard time imagining that they would feel more strongly about the 3 meals, than they would about the protein and calories...I mean, that is the part that is "nutrition", right!?!

My breakfasts are not terribly breakfast-y. I have either 2 turkey meatballs, 2 chicken sausage patties, or a veggie burger. With all of them, I usually add plain Greek yogurt mixed with salsa as a high protein "garnish". 

If I have breakfast at 8am-ish, I spend the next few hours drinking water, then eat cottage cheese or yogurt at noon. I drink some more and have another few bites of meat or a protein shake at 3pm, then a few more bites of meat/cheese/and veggies at 6:30pm, then drink drink drink for the rest of the night. Maybe I'll have a few bites of SF pudding or ricotta to end the night--but only if I am lacking in protein and need to up the total for the day. I'm really never actually hungry at that point.

Again, don't listen to people on the Internet (me!) over a trained professional, but I can't imagine it would hurt to ask and see how they came to that conclusion and if they are willing to work with you to try some new eating plans to see what works...?

1 cup of food per meal is for after you are much, much further out from surgery. It takes a while for your pouch to get that big, unless your surgeon is making really large pouches. I still only eat about 5 ounces at a time max. A cup is 8 ounces. At five weeks I was lucky if I could eat half a cup at once.

There is a difference between snacking and having planned snacks. A lot of people have planned snacks. I plan two snacks a day, one in the afternoon and one before bed. I don't have a snack in the morning because I don't eat breakfast until 10 am or so. I guess the milk/shakes are supposed to be your planned snacks. I don't drink milk. Once you get further out from surgery that probably won't keep you from getting hungry anymore because liquids do not stay in our pouch.

Eat greek yogurt or eggs for breakfast, or anything with protein. You don't have to eat breakfast food. Eggface has great recipes for egg bites: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/03/sausa ge-pepper-bites.html

At 5 weeks, I was allowed 3 ounces of food per meal.  Yes... this is too much food. What does your NUT and surgeon say?

I am 5 weeks out and my plan calls for 1/4 TOTAL of all foods per meal.  I can't even eat the full 1/4 cup.  You are eating lots of carbs also.  At 6 months I can increase to 1/2 cup.  I can't imagine ever being able to eat that much again, though I know I will eventually.