stomach size

[Dimka 4]

Hi,

I am 13 days post op and the biggest meal I can have is a quarter baked potato, is this normal?

does it change by time?

I don't want to eat a lot but am wondering if this is a healthy meal size for the rest of my life!

[stuknbama 10]

I'm also wondering the same thing. My question is why are some people saying they can't eat more than 2 baby spoonfuls of food???? I was able to eat an entire can of chunky Soup with no problems 4 weeks out. I have not felt the bloating or fullness that most everyone seems to report. I know I can't eat an entire pizza, but I can get in more than a couple of baby spoons of stuff/

[BryBro63 410]

You must remember that since your surgery was very recent, you have to account for swelling...after awhile and things are fully healed, you will be able to take in a little more volume. Things will indeed become much easier once all your 'internals' have fully healed and you have adjusted both physically and mentally to your new body.

Wish you all the best success!!!

[JamieLogical 8,702]

You're less than 2 weeks out so your stomach is still very swollen. Once the swelling goes down, you will be able to get more in. I am 6 months out now and I can eat 2-4 oz. of meat at a time. I can eat all 5+ ounces of a greek yogurt at one time. liquids and soft foods I can obviously eat more of than solids. Your capacity definitely gets bigger.

Edited February 27, 2015 by JamieLogical

[Babbs 14,680]

Soup is mostly liquid, also. Liquids go down easier. A quarter of a baked potato sounds about right, maybe a little too much at your stage. As more time goes by post op, you should be able to eat even a bit more. But just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Just start weighing and measuring everything and eat that amount. Why push it?

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I am almost 2 years out (May) and I can probably only eat about 1/4 of a baked potato max. I'm not positive because I haven't eaten more than a bite or two of baked potato since my pre-op.

At 2 weeks out, the most I could eat was 1-2 tablespoons of mushy stuff. It wasn't until about 6-8 months out that I could manage 1/4 cup. Now I max out at 1/2 cup, maybe a cup if it's really soft. If it's pure Protein, I can manage 2-3 oz. at most.

My question? Why in the world are you eating baked potato (and so much) this soon out? Is this part of your surgeon's approved diet plan? Interesting. Most people seem to be encouraged to eat mostly Protein, little carbs for the first several months to maximize weight loss.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Were you given post op instructions?

I wasn't even eating that kind of food two weeks out, but I looked through my old instruction manual and noted that as I was introducing soft/mushy foods I made a note that 1/4 cup is PLENTY (that is 4 tablespoons I believe). I often ate LESS than 1/4 cup at a sitting.

I am 3 years out and was told that 1-1.5 cup is PLENTY. In truth,I can eat more than that of food that mashes up/compresses. I don't think I would want to try eating that much of dense Protein though.

So, over time, your tummy matures. Eating "small" remains a really good idea though and helps you maintain. This is why some of us lecture endlessly about Protein first, veggies next ... and seriously, do you really have room for the rest in that first year?

I DO eat all foods, and don't place food restrictions on myself so can enjoy special occasions etc. but my daily routine is pretty similar to what we were all told to eat....protein, veggies and then... do you really have room for anything else while "eating small"?

[Dimka 4]

Hi,

yes my doctor approved baked or mashed potato, mashed banana and yogurt beside different liquids after 10 days from the surgery.

what kind of Protein I can eat at this point?

I am not pushing to eat more, I was just asking if things change by time or not.

thanks for all your answers.

[JamieLogical 8,702]

My question? Why in the world are you eating baked potato (and so much) this soon out? Is this part of your surgeon's approved diet plan? Interesting. Most people seem to be encouraged to eat mostly Protein, little carbs for the first several months to maximize weight loss.

I thought the same thing. I know some people are allowed MASHED potato in their pureed stage (which mine didn't even start until 18 days post-op). I wasn't allowed any potato at all. Baked potato at 13 days definitely seems unusual.

[JamieLogical 8,702]

Hi,

yes my doctor approved baked or mashed potato, mashed banana and yogurt beside different liquids after 10 days from the surgery.

what kind of Protein I can eat at this point?

I am not pushing to eat more, I was just asking if things change by time or not.

thanks for all your answers.

Probably yogurt and Protein shakes would be your Protein sources this early out. Once I was onto soft foods I was allowed scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, and other soft cheeses as additional protein sources. In the next stage I was allowed tuna and shredded chicken, then ground meats, and then eventually whole meats once I was allowed solid foods at 40 days post-op.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Hi,

yes my doctor approved baked or mashed potato, mashed banana and yogurt beside different liquids after 10 days from the surgery.

what kind of Protein I can eat at this point?

I am not pushing to eat more, I was just asking if things change by time or not.

thanks for all your answers.

No judgement! Just asking about your doctor's diet restrictions.

I was allowed loose instant mashed potatoes made with milk, Protein powder added and chicken gravy. My NP said I couldn't do too much damage as I could only eat a tablespoon or two. She said I couldn't have it often, but it was a good occasional thing.

I ate a lot of refried Beans, soft scrambled eggs, hummus, guacamole, yogurt, cottage cheese (vomit!).

[bikrchk 1,313]

I was not "restricted" from potatoes, but was told they can be harder to digest early on and have no Protein content so they are not a great choice. That said, I really wanted potato Soup that first week and happily ate it with a baby spoon in between protein drinks! Things change as you begin to eat foods that are more dense. At 1..5 years out, I'm most comfortable with less than 4 oz of fish, 3 of chicken or beef,, especially if I'm going to have a spoonful of something else with it, but I can do more (up to 3/4 of a c) of like a home made chunky soup or chili or something like that. I have a 90% sleeve which may be slightly smaller than "average". That's just how my doc rolls.

[Stevehud 1,790]

remember people also have different size sleeves. some surgeons go bigger than others. or smaller obviously. im two months out havent come close to trying baked potato, but again every journey is different. at your stage i was still in liquids and mashed potato yes baked, not allowed.

[Dimka 4]

Thanks Steve, i am peeling the baked potato then mashing it but i guess boiling it would still be better for me.

[savedbysleeve 11]

Im 17 days out and still on full liquids until Tuesday when I start pureed food. I can only manage about 1/2 cup of thin Soups, eaten slowly. also can finish a Premier Protein shake in 15 minutes. Full after both.