Question:
One-week out and able to eat and not feel full.

Well, I really don't know why I can eat so much. Is it normal to be able to eat 1/2 c. of cottage cheese and feel just fine? The book says that I should be eating about 1/4 c. but I can easily drink 1 full cup of soup with no problem. The bad thing is that I don't feel full what-so-ever. My urine and fecal content is perfect. I can drink up to 80 oz of water easily too (sipping slowly, too afraid to try a full sip due to fear of pain). AM I NORMAL OR IS THERE SOMETHING TOTALLY OFF WITH ME? I feel almost like this is about the same amount of food I used to eat on the pre-diet.    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on March 16, 2009)

March 16, 2009
Congrats on your surgery..The nerves to your stomach have been cut and will take time to heal and there fore letting you feel anything. If you are only suppost to eat 1/4c. then only eat a 1/4 c. With regards to the drinking..as long as you don't have pain with the way you are drinking then I would say you are fine...with all that being said...you might want to ask your dietician if you have any major questions about your intake...Good luck. Paula Chumbley
   — Paula K.

March 16, 2009
I had my rny on Dec. 16th and can still only eat about a 1/4 c. But, I also don't "test" how much I can eat. At a week out, I was just starting on pureed food and per my Nut, only 2T. at a time. The key to your success is going to be making sure you follow exactly what your given guidelines are. If your booklet they gave you says 1/4c, why are you trying to eat 1/2c.? I am so determined to do this right, that I haven't even increased my amount to the 1/2c. they tell me I can eat. My pouch feels comfortable at 1/4c. and I'm not pushing it for now. I think that you need to have a discussion with your Dr. on your followup appt. and really discuss their guidelines with them so that you fully understand the damage you can do to yourself by pushing the limits so early on. I wish you good luck with everything and hope that you can scale it back and follow what the Dr. has given you so that the tool they gave you can work as well as it can.
   — sandra-n

March 16, 2009
One of the central issues I have with the hundreds upon hundreds nutritionists etc is, there is no "clear set" of post op rules. After countless interviews with them, the majority agree, and it was as I was instructed - you only eat the allowed amount of food per your protocol. If you are allowed 1/4 cup, eat ONLY that amount, or less if you can't tolerate the full amount. As for eating till you feel full, the majority of us were told to eat only till you are satiated. There is a big difference. I will be 5 yrs post in a few days, and cannot even count on one hands feeling full, but then again I can't count the times i have been hungry either. If you are eating soups, especially homemade with nice veges, meat, remember you can't just eat it. Drink the broth from your 1/4 cup first, then eat the veges etc. Otherwise you are allowing the nutrients to pass through without benefit of absorbing your protein etc. Lots of rules, I know, but if you start out early post op following your food protocol, such as not adding more food, eating only what is allowed or less, then you will win big time. I envy you, just starting out, this ginormous change in your life is so exciting. Also, I discovered early on, any recipe can be altered to be WLS friendly, and I use Allrecipes.com daily so I don't get "food bored" Check it out, and good luck. You are in for the ride of your life. Cindi M.D. retired -230#, maintaining loss
   — DollyDoodles

March 16, 2009
I can eat as well. My nut said we'd be able to eat 8-10 ish ounces when all was said and done...That is about a cup of food...I can easily eat a cup of food! I eat 4 ounces of meat and 2 ounces of veggies and 2 ounces grains with NO trouble! When you look at the quantity of food vs the calories... you will be amazed! Some days I eat only 600 calories per cup of food because of eating a lean day on a day I am just busy or not very thoughtful of food....and other days I am a hungry monkey and eat some 1800 calories per cup of food! I kept a food journal and posted every thing I ate over on the grads boards along with a group of people in the "accountability thread" and it amazed me how MUCH some little teeny people can eat! And how little others try to eat and struggled with weight. I was actively trying to lose weight and cut my 1800 calories down to 1300-1400 on purpose to try to lose a lound a week...It was quite a learning experience! The hidden calories in foodseaten out is SHOCKING! Plus weighing foods is just an awesome tool to help you as well....It's easy to over eat because you don't have the same kind of hunger and it's hard to tell if you are hungry or full! It's so hard to learn these pouch signals...So because I can eat quite a bit and maintain my weight, I am very conscious of my choices and try to plan my meals so I do not begin to add back things I shouldn't or that will add an excess to what I can handle and begin gaining weight! I used to think I too was eating as much as I was pre op...but no way! I was in starvation mode half the time pre op and the other half of the time were super incredible high calorie binges that threw my entire metabolism into shock most of the time...It's not nearly the same at all. If you are not gaining weight...do not worry! Don't begin eating more than you do....and watch those calories/white carbs and fats if you do begin to gain...otherwise...just enjoy that you are lucky to be able to eat. I consider myself very lucky! I eat whatever I want without "never can haves"....But I am very careful about my choices and do not eat simple white carbs, fried foods or sugar daily...Those are totally limited in my diet! Pre op, those were staples in my diet...I could have lived on white bread, butter and water...I can't even remember the last time I had "ranch" or some creamy dressing on my salad! YEARS! Or gone weeks without a loaf of Italian bread with dinner...Or some starchy food sides... No...not the same diet at all! I bet you are far more health conscious than you give yourself credit for...Hope that helps
   — .Anita R.

March 16, 2009
I, too, have been able to eat more than the amount recommended by my nutritionist. I know I should be diligently following their guidelines, but do not feel "satiated", and only feel full when I simply cannot eat more without throwing up. I have my head issues with food which have become very clear and apparent. Despite my imperfection, I am losing weight ahead of schedule, so the nutritionist says don't worry. The proof is in whether you lose the weight, and if your labs are ok. The ideal is to follow your doctor and nutritionist guidelines. I start out each day trying to follow the ideal. Hope this helps.
   — lorannw

March 17, 2009
Hi, there is nothing "Off" with you, this journey is not about how much we can put in our pouch but about what we should put in our pouch. I know it is hard, there are days that I just want food. My doctor told me 2 ounces by volume per meal, so that is what I do. Sometimes I think I am going to go crazy if I can't have more, but I know that this is what people refer to as head hunger, it is not the real thing. As hard as it is to get past the head hunger just remember that this surgery was a tool and if we mess up the tool then we are up a creek without the paddles to get us to our goal. I truly understand your "pain", I think we all do, my only advice to you is to be careful. When I am having those head hunger moments (or hours - lol) I eat 2 ounces and then wait half an hour and drink 24 ounces of water, if after all of that I still think I am hungry, I eat 2 more ounces. It seems to work for me, I hope it works for you. Have a great day and hang in there, you can do this, it truly does get easier with time! (especially once you add more solid foods) Cathy
   — brindledanes