Years later

[MonicaR 8]

I was wondering years after the sleeve, what is eating like? Do you still have to eat slow? Can you still not drink while eating? Do you eat more? Just wanted to know what the future holds.

[PdxMan 4,292]

We have a few 3+ year members and a couple right around 4+. I'm only coming up on 2 years in a couple months, but I can't imagine my eating habits changing any over the next x years, as it relates to your question.

The thing you have to remember is that the sleeve is a tool that helps me eat more like *regular*, non-obese folk. These people do put their utencils down in between bites, and now, I do, too. They do not inhale their food like it is a race or the last meal they are ever going to eat. That is how I ate before, but I do not do that now, nor do I want to go back to that style of eating anyway. That is why I got sleeved.

So, yes, I eat slower than I did pre-op and I love it that way. I put my utencil down between bites and actually have conversations without food in my mouth. As far as the whole drinking while eating thing ... you do get used to not drinking while you eat. It becomes natural. If I need to increase my calorie intake, I do drink with a meal so my stomach clears out faster and I can eat more. But it is an exception. I prefer not to do it as I have the *full* sensation longer, which is what I wanted anyway. 6 months out is when I could eat anything and everything. I can eat more now than I could at 6 months, but I would say that I eat about the same as I did when I was about 9 months out.

So many folks worry that they are going to miss their way of eating. I couldn't wait to get rid of mine ...

[CBT 450]

I'm 8 months out and I like/agree with everything PDX Man said.

Eating and drinking together is just annoying now because you have to eat again so soon if you eat and drink close together. Also you might really be looking forward to eating and find you can't get enough calories cause you're still too full of fluids. I'm busy! It pays to wait. For me food really is about eating to live; not, living to eat.

[coops 1,790]

Hiya, great question!

I'm 2 2/12 yrs out now and I think that they way I eat now is how's it will always be. I can eat between 6-9oz of food for a meal, depending on the consistency. This hasnt changed since about a year out. I can eat more if I 'try' but the feeling of being stuffed isn't worth it.

I generally eat three times a day, rarely will I snack, but when i do snack it is normally a Protein or nut based snack. i still use a small plate and I don't drink whilst eating, I wait for at least 40 mins but often I'm still too full to drink. I used to miss it but not now. I've never wolfed my food down so that part hasn't changed, what has changed is that I chew more!

One of the biggest differences, for me, is the quality of food now, I refuse to eat processed food, preferring to eat fresh food with no additives!

Hope this helps.