Question:
I am currently 13 months out and down 126 pounds and pretty much at goal weight but

am concerned because I can eat a whole 8 oz lean cusine and I will fill full but not stuffed or uncomfortable at all does this seem normal I have tryed a few different kinds in the last few weeks and have been able to eat the whole one each time    — kathy B. (posted on January 28, 2004)

January 28, 2004
It sounds normal to me. I am 16 months out and the surgeon says that a mature pouch holds about 8 ozs.
   — joeandteri

January 28, 2004
Sounds normal to me as well, my surgeon told me pre-op in about a year's time the pouch will stretch to hold about 8 oz.
   — Patricia T.

January 28, 2004
Great question. I am very frantic over the same issue, but I am only 7+ months out. I got alot of 9 oz. Healthy Choice and 9 oz. Smart Ones on sale, and can eat one entire box at a time. One 9 oz. dinner is my dinner. I always eat the protein portion first, but seem to have room for the rest of it too. It worries me. I don't eat one of these every day for dinner, but do quite often. I exercise at Curves 6 days a week. I eat very healthy, alot of protein, drink 95+ oz. of H2O per day, and little carbs. I am losing wt., but very slowly since 5 months out. I can also eat 1 cup of cottage cheese at one sitting. I've lost -95 pounds so far. Should I be worried about eating a whole 9 oz. meal at one sitting? Thanks, Kathy. Open Proximal...June 23, 2003.....295/200/170?
   — Kathy R.

January 28, 2004
I, too, agree that it sounds normal for that far out. I remember pre-op, if I had a WW or Lean Cuisine, it would be more like an appetizer than dinner. I never could figure out how people considered that a meal. Now, it's still more than enough for me (5 mos. out), but if I can eat half now, then by a year out I'd expect to have a whole one be satisfying. Relax and enjoy the fact that what once was a minescule amount of food is now satisfying to you. Best of Luck!
   — Ryan M.

January 29, 2004
kathy all my buddies , well most who are out at least that far CAN eat an 8 oz, I have one friend can eat more!! Everyone s pouch works differently, Did you have Proximal or Distal RNY????? Just curious
   — lukimom

January 29, 2004
I don't think this should concern you at all. I could eat a whole Lean Cuisine well before 13 months, I think. Besides, you're at your goal weight. I'm sure your "normal-sized" friends can also eat a whole Lean Cuisine, right?
   — sandsonik

January 29, 2004
I think you are normal. I also think that our perceptions of portion size have changed drastically. I can remember going to a restaurant and ordering turkey with mashed potatoes and green beans and stuffing - and eating nearly all of it by myself. Now, My husband and I get the same thing - but we split it and still can't finish it (usally leave the dressing!) I look at what other people are served and am amazed they can hold all that food! My point here is that a Lean Cuisine now looks like a lot more food to you than it used to - but by the time you chew it up, the volume is reduced and it begins to move through your pouch as soon as you eat, so you can hold more than before, plus your pouch is "mature". I don't know about others, but I still have days were I can "eat like horse" (okay, a miniature horse!) and other days I can eat about half as much.
   — koogy