Question:
Am I eating too much?

I had Open RNY on 10/23/01. I can eat pretty much anything but breads, ice cream and sweets. I can also eat quite a bit more than 1-2oz's at a time. It's more like 3-4oz. I can drink quite a bit of water at one time. I eat chicken, tunafish, pork, and beef with NO problems. I can eat a small slice of pizza except for the end crust. I can eat pasta and rice with no problems. I can eat a whole bananna fairly quickly. I have thrown up a couple of times because I took that one extra bite. I have also been on 3 major plateaus lasting 2-3 weeks each since surgery. I have lost about 43lbs and about 40" (I started at 297lbs and I'm 5'6" tall). Am I eating too much for being 9 weeks out? Why am I plateauing so much? I drink my water, getting in the protien and I've been exercising off and on. Should I be worried? What can I do different? HELP!!!!    — Kris T. (posted on December 28, 2001)

December 28, 2001
I am alot like you. When I was 9 weeks out I could easily eat 1/2 a Lean Cuisine for lunch which would probably be about 4 ounces or so. I could basically eat anything at all. I'm just over 5' tall and weighed 248. You and I are basically lightweights when it comes to Morbid Obesity. I think you're eating and losing right on target. I had my surgery on October 26, 2000 and by Christmas I'd lost 40 pounds. Since we're technically lightweight (although I never felt light at all!!) the weight doesn't just fall off of us like it does for some people. Michelle Curran gave me some GREAT advice about protein and I began supplementing 60 grams a day and then anything I ate was simply extra. Once I started supplementing the protein I didn't have any more plateaus to speak of. I might go a few days without losing but never those long 3 or 4 week plateaus like I had in the beginning. I'm 14 months post op now and have lost 110 pounds. I wear a size 8 which is my personal goal. MetLife says I should lose at least 15 more pounds but I don't see it. Except for my saggy tummy, I'm happy with everything. I think you're doing great. Keep up the good work!!
   — ronascott

December 28, 2001
I don't think you are eating too much. It sounds about the same as what I was eating. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Are you eating every few hours? It helps to keep your metabolism steady throughout the day. I generally eat every 3 hours or so (careful to stop when full!). I think your weight loss is right on target. 43 pounds in 9 weeks is roughly 5 pounds a week. You wouldn't really want to lose any faster. It sounds like you are doing great! Pretty soon you will begin to really see it and believe it. Just keep track of your measurements so you can see your body changing during those plateaus. The scales do NOT tell the whole story! Good luck!
   — ctyst

December 28, 2001
Hi...boy oh boy, this question could have been written by me! Ever since I was about 2 1/2 months post-op I've been able to eat just about whatever I want! I'm now 6 1/2 months post-op, and down 85 lbs. I have to add that I am 5'7" and started out at 298. So we're REALLY close that way. Now I can eat about 6 oz of food. Maybe that's a bit much. I'm not sure. But I'm still losing, so it must be OK! Good luck!
   — Becky H.