Question:
Am I eating more than I should??

Please someone tell me what the "textbook" answer to my question is..I am almost 8 months out and can eat about 1 to 1.5 cups per sitting...I munch too...like 3 potato chips...3 little cookies...nuts I am so upset with myself...Am I stretching my pouch too much??? Please someone help....    — michelletoth (posted on January 5, 2004)

January 5, 2004
I am not sure what you are upset about. I do not believe there is a "textbook" answer for you. Everyone is different in this respect. I would ask you this: Are you losing weight regularly? Are you happy with your new way of life? Do you feel better than ever? Everyone has to do what they are comfortable with. If you think it is too much, then cut back. I love my occassional snacks and have lost 100lbs in 4.5 months. They way I look at is I have been so hard on myself my whole life for eating what I have. Now I am free from that. I did this so I never have to feel that bad again. You shouldn't worry so much about these things and enjoy your new life. Good Luck!!!
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 5, 2004
Hi Michelle, I'm sure your going to hear your eatting too much. But that is about what I was eatting (and still am) when I was 8 mo. post op (I'm about 13 months now) I've lost 166lbs..so I must have done something right...I don't think its so much the amount your eatting, but WHAT your eatting. Stick to protein- Limit your carbs....As far as snacking- Heck I snack too- Its just about MODERATION- I think 3 chips are fine (but I usually wouldn't eat 3 cookies) so long as you don't sit and eat the bag- Personally, I gotta keep that crap out of my house- The other day, I bought a bag of chips..and figured they would last me 2 weeks. Well, they were only around for 2 days before they were gone- (ughhhhhh) A few hints- Put a pre op picture of yourself on the fridge..and ask "do I really want this" There are ALOT of really good Sugar free snacks you can buy or make yourself- (splenda is awsome) I have a nice SF Fudge recipie- If your interested- Email me and I'll send it to you- Don't panick hun- Take it one day at a time..and again- MODERATION should be your new lifestyle...
   — WABBIT F.

January 5, 2004
Hi. I am almost 5 months out and sometimes eat that much. When I do I am very full and regret that I did. What I would suggest is to write down everything you eat. I keep track of my calories, proteins and water. I thought I was doing good until I started keeping track. I was either eating or drinking, if I got my water in I wasn't eating, if I got my protein I didn't drink enough. I try to stay under 1200 calories (usually I eat 800-900), about 65 proteins (sometimes I get it sometimes I don't) and 64oz of water(I'm still working on this one). Another thing is change your snacks. Try soy nuts, veggies and dip, yogert, SF jello, SF popsicles..... Good Luck!!! AMY
   — AmyWollet

January 5, 2004
I have to agree with Terri's post here. Maybe we worry too much about this stuff. That's one of the reasons I had this surgery. I think the best answer is to "keep it simple." If you still need to lose weight and you aren't, then cut back a bit and/or exercise more, increase water. This is what anyone (MO or thin) needs to do to lose weight - our surgeries hopefully will make doing this much easier than it was for us as pre-ops. As for stretching the pouch, I don't think you have - it's normal for it to get bigger the further out we are from surgery. My surgeon explained to me that our pouches are like balloons, you can put in a little or a lot, and it will stretch out and back normally. Best wishes for your continued success - you're doing fine! Lap RNY, 9/11/03, 254/198/???
   — Carlita

January 5, 2004
If you are eating carbs then that does not surprise me at all. I could easily eat a cup or more of any carb at a year out but still only 3 ounces or so of straight protein. I really do believe that it is what we eat and not how much. Maybe you need to get back to basics and see how much protein your pouch can handle. Every time I have been on a day or two of carbs I am sure that something is wrong with my pouch. THEN I eat some meat and am full in just a few bites again. It really works if you work it. I am now back to shakes and cottage cheese to get the carbs out of my system after a long holiday season. I know that 3 days of that and sanity is restored. Good Luck! Lap RNY 1/15/03 277/156/150ish
   — Carol S.

January 6, 2004
Some excellent advice below. I agree that there is no textbook answer but will tell you that munching does not cause the pouch to stretch, only continuous overstuffing of the pouch will cause it to ABNORMALLY stretch. Over time our pouches do stretch naturally. A cup to a cup and a half is not alot depending on the consistency. Softer foods you will be able to eat more of, like chili, and more dense foods, like chicken chunks or a burger, I challenge you to get down a cup and a half. Also, how long are you taking to eat your meal? Any one of us could devour an entire 12 inch Sub if we took our time. Meal times should be limited to no more than 10-15 minutes. Your snacks do not sound unreasonable to me. I'm a snacker too-and a frequent one. As long as you are controlling your weight-still losing if thats your goal or maintaining, then I would continue to snack, perhaps ensuring that some of the snacks are protein based, like the nuts. If you cannot control the snacking though or make all bad choices or the weight is creeping up or not continuing down, then obviously you have to cut back.
   — Cindy R.