Question:
I'm scared. I'm just about 4 months post op, and I just ate a lot!!

It's one of those Michelina's Meatloaf dinners (minus about 3 or 4 bites of mashed potato). It's like 8 or 9 ounces! Somedays, I can eat like this... Somedays I can barely choke down 3 bites. What's going on? I mean the meatloaf dinner has 11 grams of protein in it, so it's not so bad. I'm just worried that I can eat too much so early out.    — Michelle J. (posted on February 10, 2004)

February 10, 2004
Michelle, I know it is scary. I remember one morning when I drank an entire cup of water, exactly as I'd done prior to WLS. I freaked out; I thought I would stretch my pouch and I worried about it all day. There are certain foods that you can eat so much more of because they're soft and go down so easily. I have a hard time getting meat down because of the density, but if I chew it enough, I can maybe get four bites down. Don't worry. There are others who have felt the same way you do. Just remember moderation, and dream how skinny you're going to be. :-) Glenda
   — ghe5522

February 10, 2004
mashed potatoe's was on my list for soft foods, they are more like liquid, so do not worry about eating one of the Michelina's dinners. With the mashed potatoes, you probley ate about 4 or 5 oz's. Some days I eat more and some days I eat less, so does a normal person that has not had WLS. I love the Michelina's Signature dinners, my favorate is Beef Tips and Chicken Marsala. Watch the salt in the dinners, it is pretty high. Cindy Smith Open RNY 8-6-03 -104 lbs
   — cindy

February 10, 2004
It is AMAZING to me how many people say that they take a couple of bites and are FULL or can't eat anymore. I don't know if that is true or not anymore because it certainly isn't true for me. I am 6 months past surgery and I could always eat quite a bit. That is why you have to make sure you are eating the right things. God Bless you in your journey.
   — Eleanore Davis

February 10, 2004
I am also just over four months out and I can eat about 3/4 cup usually and I'm really very careful about the type food I choose but I kind of scared myself this weekend too. We were at the hospital waiting for my granddaughter to be born and I had not had any supper. I had bought a McDonald's fish sandwich for my son and he didn't want it so I decided to eat that rather than go get something else and maybe missing the baby's birth. I was watching out for my four year old grandson and was telling him stories to keep him occupied and before I knew it or even thought about it, I had eaten the ENTIRE FISH SANDWICH!!!!!!!Now it is kind of a small sandwich and it is VERY soft but I had no idea I could eat an entire sandwich. However, I have been doing some research and that really isn't a lot of food, probably only about 4 to 5 ounces total. I know it's not the best choice and I don't plan to routinely eat fish sandwiches (or any other kind of fast food) but it wasn't so bad really and at least I did not miss seeing my little granddaughter when she was only minutes old.I think what is important to realize is that 8 or 9 ounces by weight may be half that by volume when it is chewed up and ingested.
   —  SCbabe B.

February 10, 2004
Don't worry, that's all soft food. You can't go by that. Why don't you try eating 8 oz of white meat turkey and see how far you get. LOL. My nutritionist says a good # of her patients can eat a meal like that at 2 mos post op. It's not an accurate count because it's soft food. Mushes down into nothing.
   — mrsmyranow

February 10, 2004
I'm five months post-op TODAY, and about a month or so ago, I noticed I could eat a bit more. But it still varies a lot. At some meals, I feel I can eat a good bit, and at others, it seems like almost nothing. And of course, as other posters said, if it's dense meat, only a small amount. Last night for supper we had stuffed steak (I took out the stuffing) which were probably about 2-3 oz of meat each. We also had mashed potatoes (I'll never give those up) and green beans. I ate all the meat, but then could only eat 2 or 3 bites of the beans and potatoes. But I was pleased that I got in all the protein, as it is difficult sometimes to do that on a regular basis. Relax, and just make sure you're making good choices the majority of the time. Everyone's capacity is different too. Best wishes for your continued success. Lap RNY 9/11/03, 254/189/???
   — Carlita

February 11, 2004
I am so glad to hear I am not the only one! I am almost 4 mos. out and I was on a plateau the last 3 weeks. On top of that, I've been feeling like I can eat A LOT. I actually feel relieved on those days when I can't eat much or when I eat something that makes me feel yucky...that's my way of knowing the pouch still works!
   — Louise D.