4 months out and I ate the whole can!

[Karnie 66]

Hi All, Ok, so I am 4 months out. I was sleeved on June 27th. Since the start of my process, I've lost almost 80lbs. (29lbs on the pre op diet) So, I'm rolling along. I am very happy with my progress even though my surgeon said that my weight loss is in the low end. So anyway, I didn't get to eat my usual lunch today so when I got home I was hungry. Now mind you, I haven't been hungry since pre op. ok so I fixed a can of chili with every intent to have my usual 5-6 bites and before I knew it, I was at the bottom of the bowl!!! What gives?? Where has my restriction gone??? I'm following my plan. It can't be over already could it?? Anyone have this experience? Even when I miss a meal, I STILL have that restriction...but not today. :-(

[BKLYNgal87 503]

Well chili is not very dense. I'm also 4 months post op and I imagine if I sat there long enough I'd be able to eat a can of chili. I'm working again on only taking 20 minutes to eat a meal. What I don't finish in 20 minutes doesn't get eaten! You're lucky you haven't felt hungry. My hunger subsided for about 4 weeks after surgery and then it reared its ugly head again. When I eat enough Protein and eat frequently it's more manageable. Even at its worst, it is better than it used to be pre-op.

Anyway every once in a while slip ups happen, don't beat yourself up about it. The next day is always a new day.

Edited October 25, 2013 by BKLYNgal87

[Momonanomo 534]

Well, I guess I would say that (and I'm not trying to be snarky) -- just because you can doesn't mean you should. If you only mean to eat 5-6 bites, then that is how much you should put in your bowl, not the whole can. You're 4 months out -- I'm only a month or so further along than you, and wow yes! the restriction is loosening! But as it's drilled into us all the time -- the sleeve is a tool not a magic wand. You still have to take responsibility for what you eat. You did miss a meal, so maybe that's step 1 -- don't allow yourself to get over hungry. And step 2 would be that maybe chili doesn't give the same restriction as maybe a chicken breast would. I know for me I can eat more and more of certain things as time goes by. I think the vets will agree with this....don't rely solely on restriction to help you achieve your goals. Use this opportunity to come up with strategies to maximize the use of your sleeve. You can do this!

[BlessedBeyondMeasure2012 296]

I ate chili for the first time since surgery two nights ago (I'm 7 months out as of today). I felt the same way. I was able to eat more than I figured I would be able to. Even though it was chunky chili, I think I was able to eat more of it because of the liquid with it. My dietitian told me before surgery that after I came off of full liquids that she didn't want me eating Soups any more at all because it would mean I was eating and drinking at the same time. I know lots of people do it but I haven't tried it until the chili this week. I think I'll limit my chili intake from now own. Like I said, I still haven't been brave enough to try Soup and before surgery I was a soup lover.

[TvlGrl712 113]

Im only 10 weeks out, but my doc said only 4 oz per meal (5 at the VERY most), so I measure everything into my plate before eating, and MOST of time I feel like I could eat more - which scares me!! Anyway what's done is done, but in the future measure, measure, measure.

[Miss_mam1102 0]

I ate chili for the first time since surgery two nights ago (I'm 7 months out as of today). I felt the same way. I was able to eat more than I figured I would be able to. Even though it was chunky chili' date=' I think I was able to eat more of it because of the liquid with it. My dietitian told me before surgery that after I came off of full liquids that she didn't want me eating Soups any more at all because it would mean I was eating and drinking at the same time. I know lots of people do it but I haven't tried it until the chili this week. I think I'll limit my chili intake from now own. Like I said, I still haven't been brave enough to try Soup and before surgery I was a soup lover.[/quote']

I still eat soup alot. I just eat chunky soups now. I think I would really miss soups---

[Karnie 66]

Well chili is not very dense. I'm also 4 months post op and I imagine if I sat there long enough I'd be able to eat a can of chili. I'm working again on only taking 20 minutes to eat a meal. What I don't finish in 20 minutes doesn't get eaten! You're lucky you haven't felt hungry. My hunger subsided for about 4 weeks after surgery and then it reared its ugly head again. When I eat enough Protein and eat frequently it's more manageable. Even at its worst, it is better than it used to be pre-op.

Anyway every once in a while slip ups happen, don't beat yourself up about it. The next day is always a new day.

You are right! It is still so much better than before the surgery. Tomorrow is another day...thanks!

[Karnie 66]

Well, I guess I would say that (and I'm not trying to be snarky) -- just because you can doesn't mean you should. If you only mean to eat 5-6 bites, then that is how much you should put in your bowl, not the whole can. You're 4 months out -- I'm only a month or so further along than you, and wow yes! the restriction is loosening! But as it's drilled into us all the time -- the sleeve is a tool not a magic wand. You still have to take responsibility for what you eat. You did miss a meal, so maybe that's step 1 -- don't allow yourself to get over hungry. And step 2 would be that maybe chili doesn't give the same restriction as maybe a chicken breast would. I know for me I can eat more and more of certain things as time goes by. I think the vets will agree with this....don't rely solely on restriction to help you achieve your goals. Use this opportunity to come up with strategies to maximize the use of your sleeve. You can do this!

Not snarky at all...I appreciate the advice!! I think I have been relying mostly on the restriction...which has been great...but like you said ...it's up to me to come up with strategies now! Thank you!

[Brighteyes 237]

Im only 10 weeks out' date=' but my doc said only 4 oz per meal (5 at the VERY most), so I measure everything into my plate before eating, and MOST of time I feel like I could eat more - which scares me!! Anyway what's done is done, but in the future measure, measure, measure. [/quote']

I really like the idea of measuring your food prior to even plating it. Such a great tip.

[Karnie 66]

I ate chili for the first time since surgery two nights ago (I'm 7 months out as of today). I felt the same way. I was able to eat more than I figured I would be able to. Even though it was chunky chili, I think I was able to eat more of it because of the liquid with it. My dietitian told me before surgery that after I came off of full liquids that she didn't want me eating Soups any more at all because it would mean I was eating and drinking at the same time. I know lots of people do it but I haven't tried it until the chili this week. I think I'll limit my chili intake from now own. Like I said, I still haven't been brave enough to try Soup and before surgery I was a soup lover.

Yeah, I am definitely going to limit my intake of chili! That was scary!

[Karnie 66]

Im only 10 weeks out, but my doc said only 4 oz per meal (5 at the VERY most), so I measure everything into my plate before eating, and MOST of time I feel like I could eat more - which scares me!! Anyway what's done is done, but in the future measure, measure, measure.

Exactly...I'm putting that on my frig...measure, measure measure!! :-)

[BlessedBeyondMeasure2012 296]

I still eat Soup alot. I just eat chunky Soups now. I think I would really miss soups---

I do miss Soups, a lot! lol! It has cooled off here a lot in the last month and it just feels like soup/chili weather. I don't know what I'm going to do when it really does get cold!

[DianaE 128]

Chili was one of the things that was on my list in an early stage. I believe that is because it is not that dense as someone earlier said.. I would put this in the slider category and make sure if you eat it in the future you measure.. I normally open a can and then break it down into 4-6 ozs bowls and freeze it.. Then just grab it for lunch occasionally.

[acubi2 33]

Maybe you could spoon out 5 or 6 bites and crumble a cracker or two into it, to make sure it fills you up.

[gamergirl 4,610]

I can eat a lot more ground beef than I can of dry chicken breast. But I agree, measure out your food and when it's finished, you're done eating.

As to Soups, I've decided I will make veggie soups. There are very few calories in most of those, they are good for us, and they're yummy esp in cold weather. Seems like a good way to go.