Question:
how much should I be eating

I am 3 weeks post op and I have just started my regular diet. I can eat a whole bowl of cream of wheat and I don't feel full. My friends that have had the surgery would eat 4 or 5 bites and be stuffed. why do I not feel that I ate 1/2 of an order of baked manacotti today I really feel this is to much . any advise.    — ree (posted on December 16, 2005)

December 16, 2005
You may try something more dense like scrambled eggs. Did you have the band or Bypass? Either way you need food you need to chew. Try more protein. Mona
   — monymony

December 16, 2005
I have heard that carbs make you crave more carbs. Try to stick to protein. This close to your surgery date I would follow my doctors orders very closely. It takes a little time to get used to what you should eat. "Full" means different things to different people. To me full used to mean feeing as if my stomach had plenty in it. Now, full means I have had the recommended amount that I need for my daily requirements for thaat particular meal. If I am still hungry, I wait thirty minutes and drink Spiced Apple Cider or something else that has a dessert like taste. You are doing great! You will be buying smaller size clothes in no time!!! Sonya Sumrall
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 17, 2005
I am two weeks post op and am hungry also. But the past couple of days I've had more of my protein drink and I can honestly say I'm full afterwards. As far as manicotti goes, I don't think doctors would approve of any foods other than jello, cream of wheat (I too can have a whole bowl without getting full!), yoghurt and creamy soups. Hope this is helpful to you. Good luck! Janet
   — wantstowin2

December 17, 2005
I had my surgery Dec 12th...I came home Wednesday. Thursday I was sipping and thinking I am hungry. I had to think about it. Am I really hungry or am I just program to eat at a certain time. Friday was my first protein at home. I only did 4oz of Ampilify Protein from GNC. Took 2 hours sipping it. I am wondering about that. How can you only have 3 to 4 meals a day and its taking that long to sip a protein drink. Now the water and the Crystal Light goes down faster. A lot faster. I am seeing a weight lost in my legs. UGH
   — pettykash

December 17, 2005
I don't know what surgery you had, but regardless, you should follow your Drs protocol religously, even if your feel that you can eat more. Your surgery was to limit your intake, so why stick to ammounts that will sabotage the end result. Your stomach does take time to send the message to your brain that you have eaten too much and your brain takes a little while longer to register satiety. meanwhile you copuld be stretching your stomach beyond the capacity it was reconstructed to hold. back to basics and measure the ammount requested by your Dr and become adjusted to that and success will be within your grasp. remember, measure your meals to 1/2 a cup for at least 2 or even longer months untill you teally know what will fit and what will not.
   — Lise K.

December 18, 2005
Over how much time is your meal eaten? Your meal should last about 15 minutes. So, if you eat a bit, feel slightly full, pause awhile, then eat more, stop at first full feeling. If you are able to eat non-stop (not gobbling, but normally) and don't feel full, please ask your doctor about it. I know you may hear the "just because you can doesn't mean you should" too often, but first determine if you're grazing your meal (easy to stop doing) or if you really are able to eat continuously before any feeling kicks in.
   — vitalady