How much should I be able to eat after almost 2 years post-op VSG

[Tapioca 7]

I will be 2 years post op VSG in 1 month. About how much of this should I be able to eat?

3oz of cod, 2 pierogies(2.3 oz total), and mixed veggies(1.4 oz total, mushroom, peppers, broccoli, Brussel sprouts).

I didn't eat all of it, but I did eat most of it. I feel like I shouldn't be able to eat this much food? But I'm not really sure to be honest. I Def probably could have ate less of this meal as well.

[Tomo 1,193]

It is natural for your sleeve to expand a little through time. 8 oz (or 1 cup of food) is what I was told. Some eat a lot less and others eat a lot more.

[Tapioca 7]

4 minutes ago, Tomo said:

It is natural for your sleeve to expand a little through time. 8 oz (or 1 cup of food) is what I was told. Some eat a lot less and others eat a lot more.

Thanks. When I look at it, it just seems like a lot of food so I wasn't sure if I've been overdoing it.

[Arabesque 7,335]

The scales will quickly tell you if it’s too much.

I checked out recommended portion sizes of foods & recommended daily serves per day as a starting point. These are about the portion size you should be looking at. Some eat a little less, some a little more. It depends on lots of factors like age, gender, height, frame, weight, activity, etc. For example, if you are very active you likely will need to eat more across a day.

The other considerations would be calories & the nutritional content of what you eat. If your meals are higher in calories you’ll likely have to cut back on the portions you eat.

Generally about 4oz of meat & a cup of vegetables but it does depend upon the meat & the vegetables.

But it’s all reliant on what your body needs to maintain your weight & for your body to function effectively because that’s our real goal.

[RickM 1,747]

This doc gives a rough guide as to how much volume one can consume over time - I have found it to be consistent with my experience, though my wife, who is five years or so further out than I am, generally eats less than that - she is more restricted, so there can be a lot of variation.

Generally, it is good to try to not push things volumewise, as that can lead to more over eating over time - you get used to what you get used to! To some extent, your stomach will respond to how you treat it and adapt to be bigger if you consistently eat more. The other possible problem of over stuffing things is that it can promote pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter - the valve at the bottom of your esophagus that helps keep things down in your stomach and prevents reflux. So, there are some benefits to keeping meal sizes down, and if one needs more calories to maintain weight, adjust caloric density (more fats) or add another meal or snack as needed rather than eating more at a sitting.

[ms.sss 15,669]

I generally can eat about 1 cup of food in volume (more if its salad or dry stuff, less if its dense Protein or fluffy bread) in one sitting.

If I wait a couple hours i could eat another cups worth.

But mostly im a grazer and just eat small amounts throughout the day….usually totalling 1800-2000 average a day…usually.

[Tapioca 7]

5 minutes ago, ms.sss said:

I generally can eat about 1 cup of food in volume (more if its salad or dry stuff, less if its dense Protein or fluffy bread) in one sitting.

If I wait a couple hours i could eat another cups worth.

But mostly im a grazer and just eat small amounts throughout the day….usually totalling 1800-2000 average a day…usually.

Did you gain any weight eating that many calories? Once I went from about 1,200/1,300 calories to 1,800/2,000 about 5 months ago I did start to gain some weight. Not a lot but still(7 pounds). I'm not sure if I should go back down to 1,200.

I've been a lot happier at 1,800, but I also don't want to gain weight back you know.

Currently I'm 5'1 131 lbs, but my lowest was 124 about 5 months ago.

[ms.sss 15,669]

1 minute ago, Tapioca said:

Did you gain any weight eating that many calories? Once I went from about 1,200/1,300 calories to 1,800/2,000 about 5 months ago I did start to gain some weight. Not a lot but still(7 pounds). I'm not sure if I should go back down to 1,200.

I've been a lot happier at 1,800, but I also don't want to gain weight back you know.

Currently I'm 5'1 131 lbs, but my lowest was 124 about 5 months ago.

Im 4 years post op this month and have been pretty much at this weight (+/- a few pounds) since i got into maintenance 3+ years ago. (I was 118.3 lbs this morning)

I actually used to eat over 2500+ cals regularly in years 2-3 post-op but that was because I exercised a heck of alot more during that period than I do now.

Im 5’2”.

In your decision to decide if u want to lower calories to lose more weight, i suggest you figure out what u are willing to do to achieve that. Do you want to eat less? You mentioned you are happy at 1800 cals a day. Will you be even happier at a lower weight, but have to offset that with less cals? Will you still be able to be at peace with your life and lifestyle to achieve (and maintain) a lower body weight?

If the answer is yes, then go for it! Lower your cals, increase your exercise and get to where you want to be.

However, if the answer is no and you see yourself suffering angst that takes away from peaceful content living, then I say it ain’t worth it in the long run.

But thats just me.

Good Luck! ❤️