Question:
I'm afraid I'm eating too much. Help!

I am three weeks post op. I have been eating since the 8th day. My scale has not moved all week -- I weighed 347 at time of surgery, was down to 328 two weeks post op. Nothing since. But I'm afraid I eat too much. For instance, today I had 1/4 cup pudding/cream cheese mixture; 1/4 protein bar; 6 crackers, 1/2 pc cornbread; 1/4 c. chili; 3/4 of a Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla. I'm not sick at my stomach really. Nothing seems to satisfy. I don't know if it is my head or mouth hunger or what. I'm afraid of screwing this up. Any guidance would be appreciated.    — Debbie H. (posted on December 7, 2001)

December 7, 2001
Relax, your likely on your first plateau. They are frustrating but normal. Your food choices arent bad, and certinally your eating way less than before surgery. Drink enough water, limit the carbs like crackers, and eat just 3 meals a day. Keep a food diary of EVERYTHING you put in your mouth and see your nutronist for advice. Your STILL loosing well, when could you have lost this much in such a short time?
   — bob-haller

December 7, 2001
Sounds like you are actually doing very well! Congratulations on the weight loss you have already experienced. I personally think you should stear clear of the cornbread and Chicken Quesadilla only because both of those contain so many carbs. The crackers aren't bad as long as they are fat free, although you really need to watch the carbs on them too. The pudding/cream cheese mixture is a good choice cause it has protein, as does the chili and protein bar. The quesadilla has protein as far as the cheese and the chicken, but the tortilla can be the killer in that one, and to eat 3/4 of it might be a bit too much. Try eating one of the little triangles and having a small salad with it instead. Then save the other little pieces for lunch over the next 3 days. I really try and keep my carbs to below 30 and like Bob said, keep a diary of everything that goes into your mouth. I not only keep a diary, but I keep track of the cals, fats, carbs and protein I take in during the day. Ideally you should be aiming for 600 - 900 cals a day and 60 grams of protein (a Taco Bell quesadilla has around 530 cals alone...). I think alot of what you are feeling is "head hunger". At your stage of the game (and mine as I am still there), our mouths are bigger than our pouches. It is a real mind game, but it is the one thing you will have to get control of if you are going to get the weight off and keep it off. I have enclosed the web address to Taco Bell so that you can look up their food and get their nutritional value if you would like... it is http://www.tacobell.com Good luck!!!
   — Kellie Jo B.