Question:
I had 2 whole pieces of baked fish at Hometown yesterday...

Is this normal at 4 weeks post op?? It took about 30 minutes to eat both, but OMG, they tasted so good!! I was okay afterwards...but a little worried that this is too much food so early on! Also, just an FYI, Hometown Buffet in my town does NOT honor the gastric bypass restaurant card. They charge you full adult price for a meal (I won't be going there again....) ***Amy LAP RNY 04-09-03    — Amy A. (posted on May 5, 2003)

May 5, 2003
What was the size of the pieces of fish? If they were just a few ounces each, its understandable how you could have eaten both, especially taking 30 minutes to do so. You probably could not have eaten that much in 10 minutes. As you get further out, you should try to change the time it takes to eat your meal to closer to 10-15 minutes. Any longer than that and it turns into grazing..as food leaves the pouch, your piling more food on top, and can continue to do so pretty much all day if you eat slow enough. That then becomes grazing.
   — Cindy R.

May 5, 2003
You can eat a LOT, by cghewing VERY well. Did you drink with this? That would explain being able to eat more.
   — bob-haller

May 5, 2003
Buffets around here often honor the restaurant card for a seniors portion. Homnetwons fish is pretty small, I wouldnt worry. My dads family in phoenix use hometown as a daily meal. They are MO, wonder why? Thats why I know about hometown, the gave me a senior meal. I avoid buffets, but occasionaly eat at one for social occasions.
   — bob-haller

May 5, 2003
Original poster here...The fish pieces were small, about 3"X 1.5", maybe 1/2" thick (I didn't know the weight). I didn't drink anything, and actually waited till I got home an hour later to have a cup of decaf coffee. I normally don't eat there, but I did not want to turn down my mom's invitation. As a senior, she eats there often (and luckily is NOT M.O.) Should I be eating faster to get the full feeling quicker? I didn't feel like I was grazing, but maybe I was?
   — Amy A.

May 5, 2003
Oooo, don't eat faster; that'll REALLY hurt. Just recognize that, on some occasions, if you take thirty minutes to eat, you might be eating more than if you stopped at 10, 15, or 20 minutes. Food choice-wise, fish sounds like a good one to me (wish I liked it!). Once in awhile I eat more than I ordinarily would when I go out to a restaurant (in fact, that's usually true), because we tend to eat at a more leisurely pace there and the food is good (we hope!). It hasn't killed me to do so, but I don't let that habit extend to eating regular meals at home for fear of "grazing" my way into too much food in terms of overall daily intake. ;~) Another bad way that can happen is at parties, or wandering through a good grocery store with lots of samples around. Just be aware of your intake, and when it's worth eating that way (and when you DON'T want to do it unconsciously), and you'll be okay. :~)
   — Suzy C.