Portion sizes

[Tangie729 0]

I am 3 weeks post op tomorrow and I can tolerate more than the 1-2 tablespoons that I was told I could. I can eat about 4-5 tbsps before getting full. Of course, I know this means I will have to be more mindful of my own portions. Has anyone else experienced this? And...what should I do? I'm trying not to stretch my stomach!

[jane13 2,256]

We are only 3 weeks out (I am two days older, May 6th) and I think we have to listen to the "full" signal and stop. Think about it, our stomachs are still probably a bit irritated and most importantly, why push it? Are you hungry?

NUT told me to eat ONLY when I was hungry and STOP when I was full. She also said don't eat because you THINK you should be eating (ex: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you should eat something to kick your metabolism off first thing, etc.)

I drink my Protein shake on the way to work because I am not suppose to have drinks at my desk and it has Vitamins in it that I am supposed to take. That is at 4am - I am generally not hungry until lunch (11am). Thirsty, yes. Hungry, no.

[Tangie729 0]

Thanks for your feedback @jane13. I also had my surgery on May 6th. So...I am definitely listening to the full signal. I just don't feel full until I've eaten a little more than the NUT said I should be able to. I start my day off with a Protein Shake as well and I usually take yogurt or something with me for lunch. I drink all day long because I got dehydrated when I first came home and it scared me to death. My problem is, I DO get hungry. I'm trying to feel out this "head hunger" vs "real hunger" thing. I still have cravings and my stomach is doing well at keeping down anything I've tried to eat. I just entered the mushy phase last week and I've been able to tolerate meats. I am going to have to consciously and deliberately make sure I keep my fat intake down because even though we have to focus on Protein, we also have to make sure it's low fat. I'm craving bad stuff. I mean...I'm doing very well. 23 pounds down since the preop diet. I think I just need to focus on drinking more to stay full do when it comes to meal times I won't overeat....and by overeat I mean 4 tablespoons instead of 1-2. After I posted yesterday, I realized that my liquid intake was low for the last 2 days which made by belly empty for more food. Hunger IS something that I feel though. I also hear that once my stomach fully heals and I'm on solids, I will feel the restriction more. It's still numb and swollen