Question:
I'm three and one half months out, appetite returning...

Please help! How much should I be eating at this stage? Can anyone else eat 6 ounces of lasagne in one sitting? Or almost 2 cups of fruit salad? Also, I don't have dumping syndrome, and my chocolate cravings are back BIGTIME! I drink 64-80 oz. water, drink protein drinks, take vitamins, but still want the sugar/chocolate. I know I eat too fast, and too much. But, I'm not sure how much I should be eating...    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 4, 2001)

May 3, 2001
I to can eat quite a bit. Usually I do. However, I limit what I take in. I do not deny myself. My doctor gave me the instructions to eat what my body will take in. That is everything thus far. I do not measure food, but again I am very careful. I stay away from sugar. To solve my problem in reference to chocolate, I eat alot of fruit. That solves the sweet tooth problem for me. I do not dump either. I would suggest to continue your water, protein drinks, and vitamins, but try to cover your desire with fruit that has natural sugar. That is what has worked for me. I had my surgery on January 19, 2001, and have lost 68 or 69 pounds so far. I walk at least 3 times weekly, take a b-12 shot once a month, eat protein before consuming anything else on my plate. It seems to be working, and again I EAT WHATEVER MY BODY WILL TAKE IN. This just a suggestion. I hope that it helps in some way.
   — Onesha R.

May 3, 2001
I also think that protein bars will also help with the chocolate craving!!! In addition to what was said before.
   — Sharon T.

May 3, 2001
I am 6 months out and have been on a Platue for 6 weeks I have lost 72 pounds My Doctor said the first 4 months were the Optimin time to lose and to walk 2+ miles each day and take my Protein and vits I didn't believe him he said at my 4 month check up I should have been down 80 lbs by then he was disappointed and said that I knew this was only a tool and I had better get my butt in gear still I am not walking like I should be and my appitite is back but I still dont eat 1000 calories a day hopefully this Platue will break so my advice to you get out and move and cut the sugars Why in the world did you even put one in your mouth I have steered so far away from sugars because they scare the heck out of me There are some people who have stopped losing completely sabotaged them selfs I am hoping this is not my case but I fear it maybe
   — Kathleen M.

May 4, 2001
We do go through a honeymoon period of eating a few spoonful of food and thats it. Over time, the amount of food increases and we start craving food we ate before surgery. This frightens a lot of people. The good thing is we tend to eat a lot healthier and can stop when we are full. If you look at an average sized person and their eating habits, they do everything in moderation. Nutritionist will tell you this also. As a part of your healthcare, your doc or nutritionsist should be telling you how many calories you should be eating along with portion sizes and the number of times you should be eating per day. Eating 1/2 cup of food is the general rule. Eating 800-1500cal per day is a general rule and eating from 3 to 6 meals per day is customary. Every doc has their own practices and rules. As far as the chocolate cravings, you may want to try the miniture candies. One piece here and there will not knock you off the wagon. Some people will not touch sugar, some people incorperate it into their diets. You decide what you want to eat or not eat. For myself, I eat around 1500-1600 cal per day over several meals per day. If I eat a piece of chocolate(50-75 cal)not every day, I add it into my calorie count for that day.
   — Jan M.

May 6, 2001
Wow, you need to be careful. Alot of water suddenly is a pretty common way to blow a staple out. My research told me that one. Find something else to do besides worry about the chocolate. It nearly killed you before. If your doctor can't give you and answer and you can't just eat a hershey's kiss and move on then maybe that is something to explore with a dietitian or (as I did) with a crisis counselor pre-surgery. You'd be amazed what talking to the right pro's can mean.
   — Sandra W.

May 6, 2001
Hi. I am 3 wks post-op RNY with a 2 oz pouch. I was told to limit myself to 4 oz (1/2 cup) meals. I have had lasagna and was able to eat just under 1/2 of a 9 oz frozen portion which would be about 1/2 c. I have to say that I hope my appetite DOES come back, right now nothing tastes or sounds good and in some ways that is just as much of a problem at least to me. As far as the candy/chocolate goes, if you can stop at just one then I agree with the suggestion to go ahead and have a piece of small chocolate (like the miniatures candy bars that come in a bag). Some have less fat, calories, and sugar than others, you have to check the label. Now if just one satisfies your craving that is great, but if it triggers eating half the bag (which it would do to me pre-op) that is a problem of course. You could also try sugar-free chocolate, Russel Stover makes some decent sugar-free candy and I'm sure there are others out there. Good luck.
   — Karen F.

August 8, 2001
I know exactly how you feel!!! I'm 3 and a half months post op and experiencing the same thing. Not to mention the weight loss has slowed down alot. Still looking for the answers on how much to eat but have some information for your chocolate cravings. Check out vitalady.com. They have wonderful no sugar/no carb chocolate bars that taste great. I was impressed. Many of the girls at work have tried them now and we order them by the boxes for those occasional cravings at work. Good luck
   — Shirley A.

November 29, 2004
I worry about this also, (RNY 08-11-04)I can eat a lot of fruit. I am always craving fruit. To qualify for the surgery, I had to go thru 6 months of nutrition counseling at my insurance(kaiser permenanete) and everything she told me seems to be contrary to what is actually happening and contrary to what the surgeon told me. I was worrying because he told me to start eating 3 days after the surgery (anything I wanted as long as I chewed it well) and told me at the 2 week post op check up that everyone is different and don't worry if I could eat more than the 2 tbls the nutritionist said I would be able to consume. I notice meat makes me full and sick feeling only after 2 bites, try that. When I want candy I will eat a piece of the sugar free candy. It makes me feel sick too. Also,raw carrots make me feel full.
   — Shelby S.