Portions and when to stop

[dyingbreed 1]

Hello hello....

I'm two weeks post-op and on the mushy food stage. What's weird is I still cannot tell when to stop.

I eat, and don't feel full, so I eat some more, and then... BAM chest pain, and miserable for an hour until it drains down.

So I know they said to eat 4 oz meals, but I'm lost... what's 4 oz?

I've tried using a cup to portion my food. 1/2 cup and thats usually where I cut it off.

[healthy and happy 64]

I was banded 4 weeks ago. I know exactly what you are talking about. I have not had discomfort after eating becuase I am too scared not to follow what they said to the "T". But I felt the same way at first. While I am eating my 1/2 cup, I felt like I really needed more, but what I have figured out is you need to eat really, really slow because it takes my brain a few minutes to catch up with my stomach. I just ate a 1/4 cup of tuna and 1/4 cup of green Beans. i really ate slowly and savored every bite. It took me about 25 minutes (on purpose) and when that 1/2 cup is gone I STOP. Believe it or not, I feel very satisfied. If you eat quickly though, you will be thinking I am still hungry and eat more because your brain hasnt cut up with how full your tummy is yet. I hope this makes sense. Like i said I am 4 weeks out and eating the 1/2 cup meals has been satisfying me when I use this technique.

On a side note, my doc did put 4 CC's fill in on my surgery date and I had plication along with the band, so that may be the difference.

Good luck! I hope this helps!

[dyingbreed 1]

So I guess thats really it. I just need to eat real slow.

So the half of a cup is not crazy talk?

I was thinking I wasn't eating enough, but once the band catches it, I feel fine.

I was also filled during the procedure, I guess this is a newer thing now to get patients to start losing weight quicker.

I've lost 17 lbs in two weeks, so I guess thats been good in their opinion.

[Jachut 487]

That's a very good point - eat slowly. It really took me a year for brain and eyes to truly connect. Before that I served myself way too much food every single time becuase I simply couldnt believe it would be enough. You are not really looking to feel full, just not hungry anymore, satisfication takes a while to recognise but you will get there.

Till then, what you are doing, measuring, is the sensible option. It just takes time. One day you will be absolutely amazed and probably disgusted by what other people put on their plates.

the half cup is not crazy talk - at this point, where it's so important not to put your stomach under strain. As you heal, it probably wont be enough and personally, since the early days I've never been able to get by on a scant half cup and I've never needed to. And in truth, if you're losing weight eating more like two cups at a time and you're not stuffing yourself to get that in, them what's the problem? The more you can eat, and still lose weight, the better nourished you will be. I find mosst of my meals are about three quarters to a cup at a time