Question:
How much should i be able to eat?

Hi, I'm a little over 4 weeks out and I feel like a giant pig! I can eat an entire lean cuisine dinner without being over full, or an entire wheat tortilla with hummus and not be stuffed! I've never thrown up, I don't let it get that far. I also haven't lost any weight in a week. I feel like a pig and a failure. How much should I be eating? Am I eating too much?    — Dana M. (posted on June 20, 2003)

June 20, 2003
Dana, It does sound like you are eating a lot. My nutritionist requires that we only eat 4 tablespoons of food per meal and that food must be minced or pureed. We have to maintain this type of regimen for 8 weeks until our pouch heals. How are you doing with your protein? Are you spacing you're protein in between your meals? I'm 3 weeks out. Hang in there. Joyce
   — Joyce N.

June 20, 2003
Hi Dana..Take a DEEP breath and calm down :) Here is my story. I too have been able to eat more then most people. Everyone told me I would not feel hungry for about 3 months..Haha, I was ready to EAT by day 5. I also was told after a few bites I would feel full..Haha again- Take a look at what your eating now, compared to what you would eat before..Its really not THAT much ! At 7 months post op, I can easily eat a cup of food- I have lost 112lbs. Have gone from a size 30/32 to an 18/20...I thought because I could eat more then everyone else. that I would be a failure. Just make GOOD choices- Try to eat mostly protein...I DO eat carbs- but only once in a while as a "treat" Your going to do just fine :)
   — WABBIT F.

June 20, 2003
What kind of WLS did you have?? At 7.5 months out, I still can't finish a lean cuisine. Perhaps this is question best answered by your doctor. (open Rny)
   — J. W.

June 20, 2003
Dana, first a comment then some questions as your profile does not have enough info in it. The comment-most post-ops experience a mini plateau at about 3-4 weeks post-op that can last for a week or two or longer. Your right on schedule. Don't worry, loss will pick up again - keep eating protein first and get in tons of water. Exercise?? It helps to move you off of plateaus. As far as eating too much, it depends on how big your original pouch is, and how long it takes you to eat what you eat. With enough time, any of us could eat what you are eating. Although most early post-ops usually take longer to eat small meals, eventually you should take no longer than 10-15 minutes to eat and then stop. Also, you don't have to strive for that stuffed feeling, how bout striving for the comfortable feeling? As for the pouch size, if your doc made a 3-4 oz pouch it would certainly be able to accomodate more than a 1/2 oz to 2 oz pouch. So, at this early stage, do not feel like a pig or a failure-far from it. Shorten your meal times and eat until just comfortable. If you continue to think you are eating too much, consult with your surgeon. Are you transected? If not, there is a small chance of a staple line disruption.
   — Cindy R.