Portion size 12 days post op

[suemag66 8]

I've been on full liquids since being sleeved on 10/26. I haven't felt any restriction while drinking Water and Protein Shakes. I'm always hungry and tried Tomato Soup tonight. I was able to eat a whole cup. Does this sound like a reasonable portion size or should I have had less? I was still hungry after I ate it.

[_Kate_ 2,224]

The restriction will certainly kick in once you are on pureed foods. I seriously felt that my sleeve was far too big when I was in the liquid stage as I didn't feel 'full'. Once I ate pureed, holy hell! lol

As for hunger, are you sure it wasn't 'head hunger’? This was such a mental battle at the beginning rather than physical one for me and it’s tough. You look at the food, Soup or whatever and think, "That's so small, it can't satisfy me". Try using smaller utensils, cups, plates, knives and forks. For me that really helped. Our brain is a wonderful but complex thing and head f**ks are normal after surgery. Eat slowly and remember that it takes 20 minutes for your brain to register you are full. Don't let it get the better of you!

Congratulations on the surgery

[drmeow 323]

Yes, a cup of Soup is too much. Since liquids go through quickly, you don't get that feeling of fullness. I have only just started soft foods this week and it is a huge difference from drinking shakes and Soups. Also, I would note that you might have been craving the salt in the soup, if you haven't had much otherwise. Normal diets have so much salt in processed foods, that going to a liquid diet really cuts your salt way day. I try to have a a 4 oz can of V-8 daily or a 1/2 cup of salty chicken broth.

[Kindle 8,667]

You will never get full on liquids. They just run through your sleeve.

Are you on antacids or taking a PPI? Acid often feels like hunger and since Tomato Soup is quite acidic, it would just make you feel "hungrier". My surgeon had me on 40mg omeprazole mandatory for two months while my sleeve was healing and I still had to take maalox or rolaids occasionally to curb those "hunger pains".

But like Kate mentioned, head hunger is the strongest feeling of all and nothing is gonna make that go away except retraining your brain.

[suemag66 8]

Thanks for your responses.

So, how much Soup should I have? I kind of thought that the sleeve would let me know when I'd had enough! I've got a lot to learn. Do I have to set the amount myself?

I start on soft foods tomorrow. My NUT says to start with one egg and 1/4 cup of cottage cheese or yogurt.

[pinkbunies 359]

You will find out when you start eating more and feel the restriction. Since you just had surgery not to long ago, you really won't be eating any large amounts of anything for a while, no matter how hungry you feel. I think it took me at least 6 to 8 months beforeI felt like I could eat a decent amount. Now I do well to eat a full chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-a.

Usually there is always some left. When my co-workers are with me, they don't order much food because they know I'm not going to finish everything and they have become accustomed to eating the rest lol.

Yogurt is one of my favorite foods. I have honestly never tried cottage cheese. When I get a hunger craving now, I eat either yogurt or drink a boldthouse shake which has 32 grams of Protein in it. The shakes/smoothies have a lot of calories but its better than alternatives.