My surgery date is just around the corner (next Tuesday) and I go from being super excited to very nervous that I will fail.

I am wondering how it could be possible that I would ever be able to eat like a "normal" person (i.e. not overeat). I have even thought "Well, nothing else has worked, why should the sleeve?". I know I can't let these doubts settle in my brain, but it is tough. I'm wondering who else has felt this way and how they handle it.

Hi there AnneAC,

I've had the same doubts going into surgery. I really couldn't comprehend that this tummy would cease to hold the "normal" amount of food. Well, let me tell ya... I've been post-op for 3 weeks and NOW I can't even imagine ever eating a "normal" amount of food ever again. I watched my fiance down a 3 peice from Popeye's and my stomach ached just looking at it. Just be confident that your sleeve is a tool to help you undo years and years of programming. I am still learning the difference between what my eye/head want vs. what my stomach wants lol. Don't worry, y ou'll be okay!

Good luck to you

i am 3 months out right now and struggling with how much is too much to eat. I am always measuring my food ( even have a scale at work! ) and seem to eat betwee 4-6 oz each meal. I seem to be one of the sleevers that never lost their hunger. And i always worry if im eating too much. Like i can now finish a hamburger patty ( usually turkey) or a serving of salmon. And in my head im thinking "wow i am eating too much." BUT it is not the same amount i could eat before thats for sure! But im just worried that since im eating more than when i could a month out, what if i keep being able to eat more.That will not be good! Hope im not worrying you. I am eating a lot more than other sleevers who get full off of a few spoonsfulls But it really isn't as much as before. Good luck!

I am three weeks out as well and on mushies. It amazes me how little I can eat now. I know with time, everyone's sleeve stretches a little which means now I can only eat a few bites, but down the road I heard I will be able to eat about a cup to a cup and a half at one meal. I know people on here who can eat 1 slice of pizza. I will be totally happy with that, I could eat at least 3 - 4 slices of pizza pre-op. You are going to lose weight on this. I do get hungry sometimes, but I am still amazed by how little it takes to fill me up. This isn't just a physical change, it's a mental change too. I am just going to have to keep reminding myself that I don't want to stretch my sleeve and I think that will be enough for me. Good luck and don't stress about it too much. I know I am early out, and things can change down the line, but right now I feel I made the right decision.

It varies per person but the "magic time" seems to be at about 6 months out. At that point I could eat a good sized portion, albeit a lot LESS than pre-op.

The violence of the over eating and FULL feeling we all experience for the first dew months post-op has settled down and I now just feel uncomfortable when over doing it - which is like 1/2 a small portion too much instead of the MOUNDS of food I used to scarf down and never really feel full.

At 10 months out I have changed my eating habits and my tastes have changed I no longer worry about what I eat. I know my limits and just don't - or rarely - exceed them.