Question:
Is this too much food?

I was just wondering if I'm eating too much. I can eat a whole chicken leg with a small side of mac-n-cheese and stuffing. I don't drink with my meals and it does take me a while to finish but no 30 mins. I'm 8 weeks post-op and i'm down to 207 from 253. I' just wondering if i'm on the right track or not. Also is it normal to have never gotten sick?? Just sounds strange compared to all the other posters. Thanks in advance. helen    — Helen W. (posted on February 20, 2003)

February 20, 2003
Hi Helen. Congrats on your weight loss! Here's my 2 cents. I don't know what you mean by 'small side', but I don't think that mac-n-cheese or stuffing are great choices for you at this point. Way too many carbs. My recommendation would be to eat the whole leg but if you are still hungry eat the wing or some veggies instead of the carbs. At eight weeks, I was eating a chicken leg, but not the thigh, and 1/4c of vegetables such as string beans or sugar snap peas. At four months post, I don't eat much more than this now. The only time I have ever gotten sick is when I ate too much at Thanksgiving - my fault. Good luck to you.
   — Yolanda J.

February 20, 2003
At 7 months, a chicken drumstick fills me up without any additional food needed. I agree with the previous poster that adding the macaroni & cheese and the stuffing is adding unnecessary carbs. If you need something additional, eat a couple of slices of non-fat or low-fat cheese...JR (open RNY 07/17 -152 pounds)
   — John Rushton

February 20, 2003
At 8 weeks, it sounds like a little much to me, but I don't know, everyone is different. I know about that time I could only eat say 1/3 of small side of mac & cheese from KFC if I tried (just for comparison) And I also was still on soft foods at 2 months post-op, but your surgeon may have a different plan for you. At 8 1/2 months now and down 105lbs., I still usually only eat no more than 3 oz of food per meal, so maybe my pouch is just smaller, I don't know. It's great that you don't feel sick- that is a wonderful thing!! I only threw up once and never felt sick, i could handle any food (until I got an ulcer) But it's not uncommon to feel good, it's just you will hear more often about those who get sick than those who don't. Kinda like you always hear bad stuff before good, know what I mean? COngrats on your weightloss.
   — Lezlie Y.

February 20, 2003
Helen, It doesn't sound that bad, how-ever my only advise would be to make sure you eat the chicken first, then nibble on the rest, a little mac and cheese and then stuffing.. It'll all sit differently in the belly, protein fills us up faster and lasts longer. I'm post op almost 9 months and in the beginning I was taking a nibble here and a nibble here, and I too thought it was allot, how-ever it's just how it sits in the belly and how long it takes to go threw us, I figure mac and cheese might just slide out of us,.... I would also time your meals, I try to eat in 15 minutes, anything after 15 minutes, I don't touch... that way I don't over do it, as while we're eating we're processing...... Almost 9 months post op down as of today 124 pounds !
   — tannedtigress

February 20, 2003
hi there :) congrats on the weight loss! everyone is different, and the pouch sizes are different sometimes as well. at 8 weeks out for me, that would have been way too much food. id agree with the others,to focus on the protein and less carbs, it will jsut be easier for you in the long run as those evil carbs tend to slow the progress of this amazing gift, as you give them up more, youll notice its easier and you may not crave them as much, a sense of normalcy is important and you shouldnt deprive you of everything all the time but i wouldnt eat those all the time. i would listen to your pouch, if it hurts, then its too much food, but if not, than it just means you can accomodate more,id measure that way your better able to tell how much your consuming, good luck to you! :)
   — carrie M.

February 20, 2003
I agree with others- leave the mac and cheese and stuffing alone and eat the chicken and a green vegetable. At six weeks I could eat a little grilled steak, mushrooms, a bite of baked potato and ceasar salad. I don't think the chicken leg is too much but I would leave the other stuff off. Congrats on the weight loss - it just keeps getting better.
   — Patty_Butler