14 months post op... how much is normal to eat?

[pinkbunies 359]

I'm now 14 months post op. After my surgery I used to be able to eat only half of a chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-A. Last week I was able to eat about 75% of a sandwich.

I'm currently on a Cruise right now. I am finding myself hungry and I think its due to the hectic travel plans and the different foods. What is a normal amount to eat one year post op? Should it still be in the 4 to 6 ounce range?

We ate at a fancy restaurant tonight and the waiter thought something was wrong with my steak because I couldn't eat it all. I asked them if they could put it in a to go box. He had the chef make me a whole new steak to go. We both told him everything was perfect. Anyway, I'm finding that people think the food isn't good because I can't eat it all. It makes going out to eat ...hard lol.

So in short, how much is normal to be eating 14 months post op?

[Kathy812 794]

I'm 14 months out too. I am told to eat about 1200 calories & if I eat soup/stew I am not to exceed 1-1/2cup. Most of the time, a cup is all I can handle.

I eat about 4 ounces of steak, chicken or fish, a few bites of veggies & on occasion, a few bites of carb( which I need to give up until I reach goal)

I find that I am hungry more often as the months go on which is a bit scary, so I try to fill up on Protein first.

I Hope you're enjoying your trip!

[Kathy812 794]

@@pinkbunies, since you're a male, your calorie allotment will probably be different. I'm pretty sure height/weight also plays a factor in how much you're recommended to eat.

[pinkbunies 359]

Well I've been working out 6 to 7 days a week trying to build muscle. When I joined the new Gym, I also hired a personal trainer who I meet with usually 6 days a week, 1 hour a day. I also try to squeeze in 1 hour in addition to weight training. He has told me I'm not eating enough and I need to be eating around 3500 calories a day. My goal isn't just weight loss anymore, its getting muscle. I want a six pack and dang its taking a while to get there.

Some days I have trouble getting in full meals. I also have bolthouse shakes to drink as they contain Protein and also have other stuff as well as a high calorie count. I'm extremely active. The last three days have been thrown off due to the vacation. We got to the airport at 4am, arrived in Florida at 2pm, up the next morning at six and today is our first normal day... so I'm going to try to get up at my usual 5am and hit the gym on the ship tomorrow. I'm just hoping I'm not getting used to eat too much. I guess its time to do the 5 day pouch reset when I get home. I will say that this is the first time I've really consumed alcohol since the surgery. I figured heck if I'm going to spend $62.00 a day for it, I'm going to try to get my money's worth lol. For the first time in my life, I'm able to go to the beach and I'm not ashamed... I'm not fat anymore and I have so much energy. I just don't want to get off track. I have found that it is hard to find healthy foods on the cruise ship. I'm terrified of getting norovirus... it would probably kill me lol.

[pinkbunies 359]

And I'm 6 7' and weighed in the other day at 226. When I started at the new gym I was 211. I haven't gained fat but I have these big lumps in my arms... they say they are muscles... my man boobs have turned into firm skin and my thighs and legs are complete muscle.... I'm even starting to get a butt. lol.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

It varies according to your height, sex, activity level and Protein goal. It would be best you sit down with your NUT and figure out what that exact range would be for you. I am 5'2" and female. I work out 4 - 6 times a week. I have a semi-sedentary lifestyle since I am retired. I wear a fitness tracker to help remind me to get in more steps. On non-gym days I eat around 900 calories with a 100gm protein/65 -75fld ounces goal. On Gym days I eat around 1100 calories with a 100gm protein/65 -75fld ounces goal. Typically I eat 3 meals and one snack a day.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@pinkbunies - When you next dock, find a drug store and stock up on some safe Snacks. Single servings of nuts, maybe a Protein bar or 2. Make it a goal to grab some fresh fruit from Breakfast in the morning and get a steamed veg or salad at dinner, and remember Water, Water water. Splurge on a cocktail at dinner, but the rest of the day should be sipping. I've just booked a cruise for next year. If all goes well I will be at goal. I've already thought about how I plan to maintain while on the trip.

[pinkbunies 359]

I recommend Allure of the Seas... it's the largest cruise ship in the world.