Question:
At 6 mos. post-opshould I be able to eat this much.Yesterday,I had 2 tacos from

Taco Bell for dinner.Is this way too much?I didn't feel miserable afterward.I was told 4 ounces is all I should eat at a time.Is true the futher post-op you are?I've lost 80 lbs so far.I just feel like I eat alot more than I should.I know 2 tacos is alot less than I would have eaten pre-op.Do you think I've stretched my pouch?Thanks everyone in advance!    — [Anonymous] (posted on September 15, 2000)

September 14, 2000
I also had two taco bell taco's for lunch the other day. I personally don't feel that I've stretched my stomach. There are somedays when I can eat a lot (but not like I use too) and there are someday when I can't eat much at all. I still make sure I get my water in and protein in as well as take my vitamin. I have so far lost about 85lbs in 5 months.
   — Sharon T.

September 15, 2000
At 6 months post op we should all be able to eat a lot more food than the first couple of months post op. All the sources atest to this. Since everyone is different though, the actual amount will vary. But it is just a natural progression to increase the quantity of food eaten. Like you said, it is no where near the amount you could eat pre op. I try not to rationalize how much I eat with the sorry excuse I used to use (ie: at least it's healthy-so what when you eat half a gallon of ice cream at one sitting, it kinda takes away the health benefits!!) You are learning new food behaviors and testing new things. As others have said, some days we am just more hungry than others so we eat more. Period. When I'm not hungry, I don't eat. Period. Sounds normal to me!!!!!!! We are so used to abnormal eating that sometimes it is hard to adjust to changes. Hang in there, a lot of people feel like you do and it is frightening when I think of what excessive quantities did to me-and the eating began in my head. So when I start to feel the old binge mentality creep in I truly try to fight it because I scream out that I had surgery and nothing will stop me now. LOL (It works most of the time but you know what? Sometimes I do eat too much or do fall into grazing and bad choices. *sigh* I urge everyone to go to Overeaters Anonymous pre and post op. It is not a weight loss program, it is a support program to deal with the mental problem with food.
   — Fran B.

September 15, 2000
I do not think you stretched your pouch. A couple of things to look at , when did you drink prior to and after eating. Also you are eating minced meat, that does not sit like regular hamburger. It my pouch its almost like a liquid. I think you are okay. I had a burrito and the same thing crossed my mind. I decided to let the fast food go. I just cant get the results I want with it in my diet. I will miss it. Peace... Trina
   — Courtrina Amur W.

September 15, 2000
For some reason, eating Taco Bell makes me dump, so I avoid it like the plague. But I've noticed that if you drink and eat at the same time, you'll eat more because you're essentially washing down the food (which, ironically, is what we were always taught to do, right?) thereby diminishing the "full" effect that a full tummy will give you. Try eating and then drinking about 45 minutes later. You'll stay full longer and most likely won't be able to eat as much at one sitting. Good luck!
   — Mavis C.

September 15, 2000
It's funny, I'm less than three months post op and of course, cannot eat anywhere near what I did before. However. On some days I scare myself and can eat a whole bowl of something and think that I HAD TO HAVE busted my staple line. Then the very next morning I eat three bites of oatmeal or an egg and feel like I'm going to bust. It's different at different times of the day.
   — Guy C.

September 15, 2000
There were some good responses already. What I would add is this question: WHY did you order two? Why not just one? I know that our eyes are still "bigger than our stomachs" (literally for some of us!) but we need to get into the habit of just putting the 1/2 to 2/3 cup portions on our plates and eating that. Afterwards, we should feel satisfied. If I were you (and I'm also telling this to myself), I'd try harder to just order one taco in the future. I'm sure you'll feel satisfied EVEN if you COULD eat more. Best wishes on your weight loss!
   — Cindy H.