How Much in Volume Should We Eat?

Hello Everyone, My question is: how much can we hold in our stomachs post surgery? It's been awhile since I've actually measured, and I cannot remember at this point if it's a half cup, cup, or cup and one half? I need to get back to measuring again. I did very well with this right after my surgery, but I've put some weight back on. I've been eating until I am so full I am sick! Please help!  Janie :)

It really depends on the food~in general I'd say I can eat about 1.5 Cups of food at a sitting, but if its very dense protein like chicken breast probably about 4 oz comfortably. I tend to be a quick eater so I've been working on trying to slow down so that I don't end up at that overly full feeling. Good Luck!

Wow, you have done so well with your weight loss.  I noticed you are 5'9.  I am 5'8.  I would love to get down to 156pounds.  Since you are a few years out, is it hard to maintain the weight loss and do you still feel restricted when you eat?  I am worried that if I don't feel restricted in a few years, I will gain all my weight back.

I think maintaining is difficult for alot of us, but it can be done. I've been around the same weight for about 2yrs now. I do flux up and down a little, but try to stay on top of it. I allow myself to bounce around in the 150's and when I start getting to the higher end I try to cut back and really watch what I eat. I have roamed back into the 160's but didn't like that at all so I don't plan on going back there again, LOL!  As far as restriction goes, I feel I am able to eat like a normal person. I don't feel alot of restriction at 3+yrs, but I can still tell when 1 more bite will be 1 too many. I did the 5dpt twice and although I didn't get that "tight" feeling that some people comment on, I could tell that I was more limited after doing just liquids for a few days. Its amazing how this tool will still work if we work it!  I think if you follow the rules and pay attention to your body you'll be just fine!!!! Of course, gaining weight is my BIGGEST fear too~always will be I'm afraid, but that keeps us attentive to what's going on I guess. Good Luck to You!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Tracy! I thought it might be somewhere in the 1.5 cup range. I think right after my surgery I ate  6 small meals per day. I had 3 instant carnation drinks (sugar free), and then I ate maybe one half cup 3 times per day. I think I have stretched out my stomach! When I overeat, I just feel awful. Janie

It's different every day for me. On a normal day, I can eat a 6" Subway sandwich if I leave off most of the bread, a couple of cups of soup or chili if it's real liquidy, or about 1-1/2 cups of salad. It depends on what it is - if it's a slider food, there's really no limit.

I seem to vary from day to day and it can be drastic....for instance  dinner last nite I ordered a turkey platter...it came with turkey, mashed potaotes , bread & covered in gravy    I immediatlet removed the bread  and was able to eat only about  3 bites of the turley and potatoe combined before I felt full but ofcourse I ate 2 more bites because it was so good,...then i was stuffed. Sunday nite however, I ate sliced beef with onions and horsheradish sauce and I bet I ate about 9 ounced total....it did take me a little time but I never got that stuffed feeling.  I am naturally a fats eater so I work very hard at eating slow, which seems to be the key for me because when i eat fast  I dont feel full and then BAM  i am so stuffed i feel like i am gonna explode... also at " my girly time" i seem to never get full....its truly the only time I ever feel hungry anymore Good luck Diana RNY 9/17/03 360/191.5/ forever aiming at 180 

Diana: 191.5? Way to go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Donna

I can eat about 7-10 ounces per meal...I make my protein 4-6 ounces and the rest veggies.  If I add a grain...I only eat 1/4 cup to a half cup of it at the most.  I will measure my meat out to four ounces...and add or subtract if I feel hungrier or less hungry...This way I know I will not eat more than I should. I put my food on my plate and eat til satisfied. (It's OKAY not to finish my meal! but I count it anyway if I leave a little keeps me honest when I forget a little taste of this or that and can't really count it)  I HATE being overfull...it seems that the full feeling triggers my sweet tooth as just as soon as I am not over full my head is thinking of some kind of dessert!  I really think that it's all in my head because I know I just ate!  When I do not over eat...I tend to not crave sweet snacks!  It's quite odd...I guess my trigger is "fullness" and white carbs and sugar too.  Since I started being faithful at measuring or counting out a recommended one portion serving...I am quite content and maintaining my weight with no real trouble! (And little exercise at that!) I'm not a light weight either though...so you might want to measure smaller portions and see eat the entire meal and see where it is you feel satiated...then add or subtract food from there...Once you get a visual of what portions sizes look like...NEVER eat out of a bag...Put all you food out on a plate and only add more if you really need it...or sometimes you just really just WANT it...and that's okay too, but when you eat out of a bag or box, you give yourself license to eat outta control...At least if you measure one serving and go back for another you KNOW you should have had plenty with 2 servings and you don't lose control! It's easier to stop!  Good luck! Good luck!

I eat 4 oz at a meal, 6 meals a day. I continue to measure so that I stay on track and dont have any problems. I hate that overfull sick feeling. It sucks!!! Every doctor is different about how much they think you should have at a time and maintain. Ive heard of some people eating 1.5 cups at a meal. My dr says NO WAY. He only allows 4 oz at a meal max. No matter how far out you are. So that is what I do.