Greater Capacity at two years

We all know that further down this road we can eat more than we could in those first few months. My restriction seemed to remain pretty constant (beyond the really early phase****il about the two year mark. Then it seemed like I could eat greater volume - like maybe an additional 1/4 cup per meal.

Who else has had this and is it a pretty normal part of progression? I am hoping it doesn't increase more as I prefer to keep restriction.

I keep rereading Frisco's posts about undereating your sleeve to remind myself that just because I can eat a little more doesn't mean I should. What I am doing is having bigger servings of vegetables with meals as I have always felt I was shorted on those. And raw veggies are finally comfortable. So its still 2 or 3 ounces of lean protein and whatever veggies are doable.

So who else felt this change and at what point?   And are you eating differently and if so, how? I am going to ask doctor about this at next support group (if I remember).

Diane

Do you find that your hunger increased when your capacity increased?  My capacity increased around my 1 year mark and with that came the hunger like a beast.  I find myself hungry all the time now and it's hard not to constantly eat all day long now.

 OMG!! Me too!
I eat every few hours sometimes good choices and sometimes bad choices.  Since Jan I've lost 3 lbs., but towards the end of last year I gained 6-7 lbs.   I had a lot of stress last year and just ate as a way of drowning it out.  I'm making better choices now; I'm not purchasing a snickers everytime I'm at the check-out counter.  I still eat carbs that I shouldn't, but not the candy etc.  I'm NOT giving up, it took to long to get where I am now.  

Linda

I did find that my hunger slowly increased maybe after a year or 18 months. But it has not come back like a beast. Its more appropriate hunger like when I truly need food. I do find I get hungry more often. Dr. says vsg stomachs empty faster than do others. I do eat more often than three meals a day but i make sure the snacks are healthy and appropriate like grapes, string cheese, almonds, a tofu stick or something. make sure your snacks are in the dense protein category. Recently found some beef jerky i like. used to hate the stuff.

One thing that really kills my appetite is a glass of red wine which i like anyway. so when i get home from the studio i usually have one. my hubby likes to take a nap after work and so we have dinner later and that glass of wine makes me not hngry. dunno why.

Diane

Yes, Diane, my capacity increased some, though I'm not sure it was exactly at 2 years, but thereabouts. I've never stuffed myself either, so I really don't think it's a case of overeating or stretching it out. Dr. J told me that sleeves do continue to dilate (his word for it)  a little for "a while". I still can't eat a "normal" amount, but I can eat a whole chicken thigh and a few bites of veg or less chicken and more veg. Yesterday, I had three good size pieces of sushi for lunch and I know that the first year, I could only eat 2. Rice still really fills me up, so I rarely eat it--just with sushi!

My hunger never went away completely, but it hasn't come back very strong either. I too feel that I am now appropriately hungry, and I pray that ferocious hunger NEVER comes back! Also, as part of my ongoing GERD problem, I had a stomach emptying test done a while back, and it was normal, so I'm not sure that VSG stomachs ALWAYS empty faster...

L.
Oh, and a glass of wine really fills me up too!

If you're going to increase your volume with anything, at least it's vegetables! :)

I find myself feeling hungry also. I've discovered many times it's that I'm thirsty and not really hungry.

I can eat more now and do many times. I still weigh my protein, usually 3 oz, sometimes can only finish a little more than 2. I re-read frisco's posts too and today only had 2.5 oz at breakfast and lunch. I try to do veggies as snacks but also snack on walnuts and almonds at work, which I know I need to limit as they are full of calories! I do have veggies with dinner though.

Drinking glass of wine right now. Hmmm, not feeling hungry, could be that I had a late snack at work or maybe Diane is on to something?
Lynda

Ha Lynda, i am having glass of wine right now too. feeling fine and not hungry. red wine is health food, right?

see you saturday the 11th at support group?  you won't believe how my husband looks!!!!!! truly a shrinking nerd. he is nearing the century mark including pre op loss.    Diane

 
For me the key has been not to increase volume....... I don't need to bump the end to be satisfied.....if that makes any sense.....

frisco

I thought I could eat more. But I realized I was eating differently and different stuff. If I start with lean protein with no breading, I still can only eat 2oz before I realize I better stop or I won't get any veggies in. But if I eat the veggies first or at the same time, I can eat way more!

Do the cottage cheese test... I found I couldn't eat any more cottage cheese at 3 years out than I could at 7 months out.