Kind of worried about little restriction

[Thinside 155]

I'm just over 6 weeks out, and I'm kind of worried about how much I can eat. I see people on here who are 3+ months out who can only eat 500-600 calories. I am eating around 700-900 calories a day, but I could easily eat 1200 - 1300 calories if I wanted! I'm talking 1200 of high quality, protein-rich foods, not junk or sliders. I'm not overly hungry, but I also never feel that super restricted feeling people talk about. I read about people who can't eat more than 2 oz or never want to eat anything, and I wish that was me!

I can take full gulps of liquid -- not HUGE gulps, but a lot more than sips. I can eat 5.3 oz container of yogurt, or a veggie hot dog, or 3-4 oz of tuna in 10-15 minutes without feeling at all sick or restricted. I eat as slowly as I can, but the few times I've forgotten and have eaten too fast I've had no ill effects. I have not found a single food that disagrees with my sleeve so far, and I've never thrown up. (Not eating any bread, Pasta, rice, though, so I can't say how those would feel.) The only food that causes a super restricted feeling is salmon.

I never drink with meals, never eat bread, starches, etc. I'm following the guidelines. I'm losing slowly but surely. But I am so worried that if I don't have much restriction now, I will go back to my old, bad eating habits in a few months, after the restriction gets even less!

Does anyone else have this situation? Does anyone have any advice?

[samskiles 159]

I'm in the same boat and I'm also 6 weeks out. I started eating slower and waiting a minute in between bites and this helped me get fuller faster. I also pre-measure my meals and only allow myself to eat about 4 oz at a time.

This is a typical day for me:

B: 3 turkey sausage links or Protein Shake

S: string cheese

L: 4 oz of lunch meat and cheese or 4 oz of chicken with a veggie

S: Cottage cheese or Protein shake

D: 4 oz of chicken or fish and veggie

I also drink 60-80 oz of Water in between.

[samskiles 159]

I also wanted to add that some days are harder then others. Some days I want to eat everything and I do consume up to 1200 calories but it's Protein rich foods. My dr has been on board with everything I am doing so I think it's ok if some days you eat more!

[Thinside 155]

Thanks @@samskiles

My doctor's suggested daily meals from week 4 on are about 1000 calories. But it just seems like a lot compared to other folks on here. I need to start weighing everything out. I log everything, and mostly plan meals ahead, and I measure food, but I haven't been pre-measuring the whole day ahead. Maybe that would help.

Edited September 23, 2015 by Thinside

[samskiles 159]

Thanks @@samskiles

My doctor's suggested daily meals from week 4 on are about 1000 calories. But it just seems like a lot compared to other folks on here. I need to start weighing everything out. I log everything, and mostly plan meals ahead, and I measure food, but I haven't been pre-measuring the whole day ahead. Maybe that would help.

I try and prep meals the night before but sometimes I'm too tired. Those are the days I typically eat more calories so it really makes a difference.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

To the OP ... here's my experience ...

I'm 13 months post-op. I've never been nauseated, have never thrown up, seem to have a lovely sleeve of steel. That's good -- because who wants to throw up anyway!

I don't think I could have eaten 1200 calories of dense Protein / veggies at 6 weeks post-op. During months 1-4 I averaged very close to 800 calories a day. I did have some 1000 calorie days during those early months. But I also had about the same number of 600 calorie days.

Months 5-6 I averaged 1,000 calories, and months 7-8 I averaged 1200 calories. I reached goal (150 pounds) about 8.5 months post-op and have lost another 10 pounds since then while trying to average 1,700 calories/day. 1,700 calories a day seems to be my sweet maintenance spot, calorie-wise at my current exercise / activity level.

I think you are losing fine, especially if you've lost much of your weight post-op. However, I would urge you not to rely completely on sleeve restriction to govern what you eat. What has worked very well for me is to plan my meals and track my food and to hold myself accountable personally (using www.myfitnesspal.com) for hitting all my nutrition levels - Protein, Fiber, sodium, etc. Ultimately, we have to eat healthy, nutritious foods and not too much of it (while we're finding out how well we lose and maintain) for the rest of our lives.

Now that I'm on maintenance I have some high cal days and some low cal days. But I do aim for 1,700 calories/day on a weekly average. Eventually, I do hope all this becomes more instinctual for me, but my instincts never worked all that well for me before. For now I'm still watching very carefully what I'm doing.

Don't know if that helps at all, but there it is anyway. Best to you both.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Sleeve made of steel here. I was eating in the 800 calorie range by 6 weeks post op. I maintained in the 750 -850 range until 9 mths out, but could have easily eaten at least 1,000. It too vigilance and care to stay under 850 AND feel satisfied. I had one experience where I went out to eat and took that one bite too many inn the form of a really decadent dessert, but the worse thing that happened was I had a really bad tummy ache. Otherwise I can pretty much eat and drink what I want. I can even use a straw with no issues.

The difference is I think I am now more aware of when I am sated and not hungry now. I still use MFP faithfully. At this point I think I always will. It's a valuable tool for me. The sleeve as a tool for weight loss is doing it's part and I am at a place where I am now capable of doing mine. Surprisingly I enjoy working out regularly and eating well. I also now can trust myself to eat properly and only indulge on special occasions.

[mirv550 11]

It does me good to read this post! I am only 12 days post op, and was cleared last Thursday for the next level of food after the all liquid diet. I can have soft Proteins (moist chicken) deli meats, any cooked veggies, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, wheat thins, Beans, shakes....you guys know the drill!

So for I have not found anything I cannot handle, and I am seeing pretty good results on the scales. I eat my 5 or 6 times a day, and don't feel like I am missing anything...well, except steak...lol.

I can take small gulps of Water, but staying away from most other drinks except coffee.

I will ask for advice on chewable vitamans cause those Bariatric Advantage ones stink! OH and exercise.....I have been walking but only about a mile or so a day....need more movement but not at run weight yet.

[linzlou2000 193]

OP I completely understand. I was sleeved 10-19 and also don't feel a ton of restriction. I have to measure and track. I know I will be a life long tracker!!!! I've lost 33 since surgery. My surgeon is happy, but also doesn't want to give me a calorie limit. Most days I get 90-110 Protein and my calories are 1,000-1,200. I feel like that is too high. I worry about life long success, but I going to stick to the program. Carbs are the devil.

[irishmommy25 3]

Me toooo!! I had my surgery on 11/23 and I can eat anything. I am petrified!!!

[linzlou2000 193]

Me toooo!! I had my surgery on 11/23 and I can eat anything. I am petrified!!!

The struggle is real!!!

[irishmommy25 3]

For real! I think I was so used to bypass stories of people getting sick.. That's just not the case. I actually need (oh, crap) self control!