Eating "Normal"...can't even imagine

[AnneAC 5]

My surgery date is just around the corner (next Tuesday) and I go from being super excited to very nervous that I will fail.

I am wondering how it could be possible that I would ever be able to eat like a "normal" person (i.e. not overeat). I have even thought "Well, nothing else has worked, why should the sleeve?". I know I can't let these doubts settle in my brain, but it is tough. I'm wondering who else has felt this way and how they handle it.

[PhatGurl80 26]

Hi there AnneAC,

I've had the same doubts going into surgery. I really couldn't comprehend that this tummy would cease to hold the "normal" amount of food. Well, let me tell ya... I've been post-op for 3 weeks and NOW I can't even imagine ever eating a "normal" amount of food ever again. I watched my fiance down a 3 peice from Popeye's and my stomach ached just looking at it. Just be confident that your sleeve is a tool to help you undo years and years of programming. I am still learning the difference between what my eye/head want vs. what my stomach wants lol. Don't worry, y ou'll be okay!

Good luck to you

[juzmejnee 9]

i am 3 months out right now and struggling with how much is too much to eat. I am always measuring my food ( even have a scale at work! ) and seem to eat betwee 4-6 oz each meal. I seem to be one of the sleevers that never lost their hunger. And i always worry if im eating too much. Like i can now finish a hamburger patty ( usually turkey) or a serving of salmon. And in my head im thinking "wow i am eating too much." BUT it is not the same amount i could eat before thats for sure! But im just worried that since im eating more than when i could a month out, what if i keep being able to eat more.That will not be good! Hope im not worrying you. I am eating a lot more than other sleevers who get full off of a few spoonsfulls But it really isn't as much as before. Good luck!

[suez1105 2]

I am three weeks out as well and on mushies. It amazes me how little I can eat now. I know with time, everyone's sleeve stretches a little which means now I can only eat a few bites, but down the road I heard I will be able to eat about a cup to a cup and a half at one meal. I know people on here who can eat 1 slice of pizza. I will be totally happy with that, I could eat at least 3 - 4 slices of pizza pre-op. You are going to lose weight on this. I do get hungry sometimes, but I am still amazed by how little it takes to fill me up. This isn't just a physical change, it's a mental change too. I am just going to have to keep reminding myself that I don't want to stretch my sleeve and I think that will be enough for me. Good luck and don't stress about it too much. I know I am early out, and things can change down the line, but right now I feel I made the right decision.

[Rootman 1,101]

It varies per person but the "magic time" seems to be at about 6 months out. At that point I could eat a good sized portion, albeit a lot LESS than pre-op.

The violence of the over eating and FULL feeling we all experience for the first dew months post-op has settled down and I now just feel uncomfortable when over doing it - which is like 1/2 a small portion too much instead of the MOUNDS of food I used to scarf down and never really feel full.

At 10 months out I have changed my eating habits and my tastes have changed I no longer worry about what I eat. I know my limits and just don't - or rarely - exceed them.