Normal to eat this much?

[nikilynne 6]

Hi everyone,

I had my surgery on February 6th and I'm worried about the amount of food I can get down okay. I keep reading about people only being able to eat a few bites of this or that or only being able to eat half of a pudding cup. I'm 11 days out and I can eat a whole yogurt or a whole sf pudding with no problem. I had a fan of Campbell's Soup yesterday with half the can filled with skim milk and I almost ate the entire thing (except for a few bites), but was definitely full afterwards. I'm just worried that my sleeve is bigger than its supposed to be or something.

[VSGKirk 855]

I'm 6 weeks post-op and could possibly only eat 1/2 cup. At 10 days, I would have been lucky to eat 1/3 cup of Soup. That's interesting! Are you eating nice and slow?

[shortsleevedkay 28]

I am 2weeks postop and I am on soft foods....today I was able to a whole can of Soup on 1 sitting. Omg...is that normal. Oh also, yesterday, I ate about 4 buffalo wings plain and a half of a tilapia filet....I did throw it up...ughhhh

[nikilynne 6]

I'm 6 weeks post-op and could possibly only eat 1/2 cup. At 10 days, I would have been lucky to eat 1/3 cup of Soup. That's interesting! Are you eating nice and slow?

Hi Kirk! Thanks for the response! I thought I was eating it slow, but according to my boyfriend I wolfed down that can of soup last night, lol. Could it be because I'm eating it to fast? I just thought it would make me sick. I know I definitely felt sick for about 20 minutes afterwards.

[VSGKirk 855]

SSKay, 4 weeks post-op I was only able to eat 2 chicken wings and I had graduated beyond soft foods, but everyone is different. If you are eating enough to throw-up you might be eating too much or too fast.

[VSGKirk 855]

Nicki, just measure out 1/3 or 1/2 cup and know that's all you're going to eat. You are probably full, but don't know it because your nerves are still healing. If you are drinking your fluids, there will be very little room for other things when it's meal time. Be kind to your new stomach, be kind to YOU!

[kimbernada 190]

At almost 7 months out, I can only eat a 1/2 cup of chili or Soup with three saltines - BUT I can drink an 8 ounce Protein Shake or yogurt normally, so I think it depends on how dense the food is. If the soup is more liquid than content, I could see how a person could eat more. (Kind of like yogurt, which is really only 3/4 of a cup now since most are 6 ounces.)

[SMO 193]

I was sleeved 2/4/13. I started softs today. I ate 2 TB of cream of wheat, 1/2 a scrambled egg, 1TB cottage cheese and 1oz avocado, 1/2 oz deli chicken and 1/2 oz provolone cheese. That was spread over a 12 hour period. I was able to keep it all down and none of it disagreed with me. I am highly motivated to wean off the Protein Drinks. Familiarity has definitely bred contempt. Looks like a lot on paper.

[kimbernada 190]

Nicki, just measure out 1/3 or 1/2 cup and know that's all you're going to eat. You are probably full, but don't know it because your nerves are still healing. If you are drinking your fluids, there will be very little room for other things when it's meal time. Be kind to your new stomach, be kind to YOU!

I agree. I measure out my food. I have a Weight Watchers serving spoon that is a 1/2 cup. My head still doesn't believe that is enough food, but my sleeve sure lets me know. Even at restaurants, I get the to-go box right away (if I forgot my own container) and only leave the portion that I know I can eat on the plate. 1/6 of a baked potato and a few ounces of the fish or chicken.

[nikilynne 6]

Thank you all for the responses! I never really thought of measuring any of it out because I was just eating it from the cups they came in (sf pudding and yogurt). So is it normal that I can eat all of my sf pudding and yogurt? I will start measuring the Soup out for sure. Especially because I usually do feel sick after eating it, which I'm guessing is because I'm eating too much of it at once. I'm trying to listen to my sleeve, but it's so hard trying to figure out when I have had enough and don't need more. Especially because I am still feeling weak and light headed sometimes, which makes me think I need to eat more. Thank you for all of your help you guys!

[Mystie 146]

I bought a ton of 1 cup Ziploc containers and fill them about halfway full with whatever I'm eating. Stuff like Soup and yogurt I seem to be able to eat a little more of, but more solid food like chicken salad is around 1/3 cup.

[shortsleevedkay 28]

SSKay' date=' 4 weeks post-op I was only able to eat 2 chicken wings and I had graduated beyond soft foods, but everyone is different. If you are eating enough to throw-up you might be eating too much or too fast.[/quote']

You are right, I noticed that now I can drink almost regular and eat at a faster pace now. I have to admit, I am eating faster. I will make a note of it to eat slower....wow..I will do that !!!

[VSGKirk 855]

I think that it helps that I eat 4-5 times a day, so I don't panic if I don't feel full right away. I know a meal is just a few hours away!

[fluffylibra30 323]

Once you start eat solids you will not be able to eat that much. Solid dense Protein will fill you up. Eat slow, and measure out your foods. Just because you can eat the whole Soup doesn't mean you should.

Good luck.

[AliveAgain 283]

The sleeve is only a tool, which is why it is ideal to measure your intake with a scale, measuring cups, etc. for the first 3-4 months. Did your doctor or nutritionist give you a guide of how to measure and how much you should take it? Many of us use myfitnesspal app to track calories (you must measure to get accurate counts) and how many grams of Protein, carbs, sugars, Fiber, etc. broken down. There is much information on this site about the ideal breakdown in the different phases after surgery.

The lightheaded and weakness may be dehydration and possible low electrolytes. Quite common in the first month. Make sure you aim for 64-80oz of fluids (protein drinks/shakes, milks, broths, etc. all count).

As for the volume you're eating, I always measured so I didn't try those amounts to see "if I could do it." Try not to push your sleeve past any point of comfort. As soon as you feel full - stop eating for at least 10-15 min and only eat/drink what your diet allows. Eating too fast will often cause slimes (throwing up, mostly saliva). But if anything goes down easily it's the yogurts, puddings, soft foods. You may find when you progress to approved solids, you won't be able to eat as much.