Question:
13 weeks post-op and wondering how much food is other people eating at this stage?

I am 13 weeks post-op and i can eat about a cup to sometimes 2 cups of food at each meal time, but every day is different and sometimes less. Is everyone else who is at this stage eating the same amount? Could you please give me some ideas? thanks.    — Melodee S. (posted on April 26, 2003)

April 26, 2003
Is that two cups of dense protein foods or 2 cups of carby foods? If you can eat 2 cups of cottage cheese or chicken, I'd be worried (not that YOU should be, but I would be). If you can eat 2 cups of salad then I'd not worry over much about it. It also would help to know the type of surgery you've had. If you had an RNY you should be able to eat far less than if you'd had a PBDS. I had the RNY and at 9 months out I can eat about 1/4 cup (packed) of chicken with about 1 cup (packed) of salad or thereabouts. Or I can eat about 1/2 cup of just chicken. Just depends on density.
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 27, 2003
I'm about 14 weeks out, and I noticed a big increase in my appetite when I was about 10 weeks out. I mentioned it to my surgeon's assistant at my 11 week check-up, and she says it is normal. How much I eat depends on the food. If I am eating popcorn, I can eat about 2 cups at a sitting. However, I could eat only about 3 ounces of lump crabmeat, which is about 1/3 cup. It also depends on the time of the month, time of day, and various other factors, some of which I don't even understand. Sometimes I find I lose the most weight the days I eat the most. Go figure!
   — Beth S.

April 28, 2003
I had surgery on 1/31 and can usually eat 1/4 to 1/3 cup, but it really depends on what I'm eating. I've also noticed that some meals I'm satisfied/full with four bites and other times I can easily get through a whole 1/3 cup meal, but when I do eat that much, then I tend to end up uncomfortably full and wish I hadn't. Keep in mind though that we all have different surgeons, different size stomachs, and different amounts bypassed. What is a lot for me...may be just fine for you. I guess a better indicator would be how your weight loss is doing at this point. Last week, due to some answers to another question, I was 'worried' that I wasn't eating enough and someone answered my question and said that if I was still losing 2-4 (and sometimes 5) pounds a week that it didn't matter how few caloires I was consuming. I know it is sooooo hard not to "wonder" and compare, but your own body, and weight loss, may give you the best "answer" of all!
   — eaamc