Question:
How much is too much?

i am 6 weeks post op and it seems like i can eat alot of food. i can eat almost a whole sandwich. is this too much?    — jason L. (posted on March 6, 2001)

March 6, 2001
Hi...I am 7 weeks postop...LAP RNY..I've learned I can't eat bread...and I can only eat about 3 to 5 bites of anything over a 1/2 hr period...I guess I would ask..what kind of surgery did you have and how long are you taking to eat that sandwish?
   — Debora H.

March 6, 2001
According to my surgeon's plan, you are not to eat solid foods at 6 weeks postop! The first three weeks are liquids, the next 5 weeks are pureed, and then you start introducing solids at the beginning of the ninth week. At no time should I be eating more than 4 ounces or 1/2 a cup!
   — Sharon R.

March 6, 2001
Doctors' recommendations do vary quite a lot. I was eating solid foods as per my Dr's recommendations at 2 or 3 weeks post. By three weeks I could eat anything except raw vegetables & salads. Most of a sandwich is more than I was able to eat at your point. Even now, at almost 11 months post, I haven't tried a full sandwich. I do occasionally eat an open-faced sandwich now, but two pioeces of bread are more than I can, or want to, handle. I can eat at least a cup of food at a sitting most times & could probably eat more than that sometimes, but I do try to not stretch out my pouch too much. I also have times when about 2 ounces seems to be my limit. It really varies a lot with me, sometimes I "could" eat more than I will allow myself, other times, I'm very limited. I do think that you don't want to start stretching things out too much so early in your weight loss.
   — Kathy W.

March 7, 2001
Jason, I guess my answer depends on what you mean by "is this too much?". 1) do you mean "can I hurt myself internally by eating this much?" probably not - if you don't feel pain when you are eating this much, then you must be one of the lucky (unlucky??) ones who can eat more than most. 2) do you mean "will I stretch my pouch by eating this much?" it depends on if this is a "once in a blue moon" occurrance, or do you plan on eating like this regularly. 3) do you mean "will this capability affect my weight loss" my answer is pretty much the same as to previous question. Also note, that many surgeons would object as much to the fact you are eating 2 slices of bread in a meal as to the overall quantity of your meal. If you are filling your pouch with bread, it will be difficult to get in protein. However, after all this preaching, I mostly want to leave you with this: It depends on what you are trying to accomplish with your surgery. If you are not causing yourself pain, and you would be happy with losing 70% of your excess weight (as opposed to 90% - 100%), I would say that no one should judge you for your ability to "almost" eat a sandwich. Try to incorporate some exercise, and drink your fluids. However, if you are trying to get to some "ideal weight", it will be a real struggle unless you get your new appetite in check. Good luck to you!!! Kevin
   — meilankev

March 12, 2001
This is also my problem. I fear the worst...that my pouch is open to my stomach. I try to eat every 1 1/2 hrs like the doctors chart says. I find I can eat 1/2 to 1 cup pureed liquid in that time frame. This disturbs me quite a bit. I have NOT gotten sick....at all! And as a result of this eating, I am feeling more hungry than I expected. This is an awful situation if it is true. All the build up and hopefullness will just be too much to bear if it is not working.
   — Nancy Z.