Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

I Don't Want To Eat Normal Ever Again!



Recommended Posts

I am a year out of being sleeved... I finally was able to fit a whole sandwich (cutting edges off/reg bread slices -not the big ones with oats and stuff)... how did I go from only being able to chow down 1/2 a sandwich to a whole one over night? It worries me that I stretched my tummy out? oh no!!! how do I shrink it back! I wouldn't mind eating this little forever!! I am freaking out... is this normal to finally be able to eat "normal"? :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think normal is the key!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree - its okay to be "normal". :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That scares me, too. The nurse said that it's normal to wake up one day and be able to eat 1 1/2 cups of food. I DON'T want that to happen. I'm TERRIFIED it will.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

As we get further out from surgery, our sleeves do normally allow us to eat more food. That's why we have to be diligent about changing our eating habits before we get to that mark.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

oh yes, I'm out 3 years now and can eat what I call "normal". . . not like before, with hords of food, just normal. . . for example i can eat a whole egg or two (thats pushing it though) I can eat a whole sandwich, about 1 1/2 slices of pizza, whole piece of cake. But not the whole thing! And that, to me, is the most important. I'm not able to pig out like i used to 3 years ago. . . i'm "normal"

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

yea I freaked out today... before last week, I was only able to eat 1 hard boiled egg... for lunch I had a hard boiled egg and half a grilled cheese :( I don't want to starve myself.. but I don't want to just allow me one egg just because I am afraid...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I go up and down with my capacity as my time of the month nears, too. I swear that darn sleeve relaxes when I have PMS!!

Look - half a sandwich and a hard boiled egg is NOTHING compared to what you would have eaten a year ago. I'm going to say something you might not like but I really want to help you. I think you're scared that you don't have the self control to eat "normally" and that you want the sleeve to do it all for you. On one hand, you're in luck. That sleeve might expand enough to fit a whole sandwich (sans crust, of course) but it's not going to fit a whole pizza or a value meal from McDonald's again. It's unlikely you're going to expand much at all from this point onward.

Part of this process is learning to eat normally. We need to view food as vital, as nourishing and as energy instead of as a source of comfort or something to feel guilty about. Around 18 months out I noticed an increased capacity (FINALLY!) and did the same thing - I freaked a little bit. But what was I freaked about? I was finally able to eat TWO eggs scrambled with cheese instead of only one. Big whoop!

You are not losing control. You are in control. There will come a point when you need to eat more in order to maintain your energy and your goal weight. Slowly learning how to do it without scaring yourself, losing control or seeing a gain on the scale is an important part of the process. This is what nobody talks about when they talk about surgery! Dealing with the mental aspect of the surgery is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Your stomach didn't make you overweight - something in your head did. Figure it out. Limiting yourself too severely because you're afraid eating will cause a gain is an eating disorder just as surely as overeating in the past was a disorder.

If you aren't already, track your calories. Sometimes I get a lot of comfort from seeing numbers in the same ballpark each day and knowing that I'm eating the right amount of food even when I feel like I'm overdoing things.

Good luck,

~Cheri

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It scares me that I can eat way more at 3 years than I could at a year. I try to just eat the amount I always ate before I hit the 3 year mark, even though I could eat more.

I am lucky that I love my Protein shakes, and I am never really hungry. If I end up eating too much and I gain back some weight, I go right back to Protein Shakes. Losing weight was easy. Maintenance is much harder.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just want to say that it is nice to have all you experienced slevers here!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@~Cheri .... I am only 9 days post-op but your comment was/is very moving....if you don't mind, i am going to print it and pin to my inspiration wall.... thank you for words of wisdom...

tjmom/sandy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ughhh I am so experiencing the panic from this. I started going to therapy on my own months before surgery and have kept up with it all year (I am 5 days away from the 1 year mark). But it seems like overnight I can eat so much more, and it's really putting all these things I've worked on to the test. It's a lot easier to think about overeating behavior objectively when you have NO ABILITY to do it.

Once you hit the point where you can eat the whole piece of cake (although yes, it is a relief not to ever have to worry about eating a WHOLE CAKE ever again) or a whole sandwich, or both if you wait a bit in between...you really have to buckle down and think about why you don't want to do that. Which is hard, because sometimes you really do! I think ultimately the fear of failure and real desire to uphold the change will keep us on the straight and narrow, but it is a battle that cannot be taken lightly for sure. For people who are just starting out, please BELIEVE that you need to work on the issues, because even though you can only eat 2 bites right now, the day will come when that's not the case, and you'll want to be ready to stand up to old demons.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am happy to say that apparently, you can shrink your stomach back too. I was really worrying because I could eat way more than I used to be able to eat. For the last 2 weeks, I have been concentrating on eating tiny portions again, the way I used to when I was first sleeved. Now I am getting full really fast again, and not able to eat as much as I could a month ago.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OK,

After almost a year out, I will tell you that:

My sleeve is tight in the morning and it's tight after a nap. Relaxing relaxes my sleeve.

My sleeve is sneeky because some days it allows me to eat tons, and tons of food (usually bullshit carbs) and then it slams shut and will only allow me to eat maybe 3 ounces of dense Protein.

some days, I am able to drink 6 ounces of Water in the span of 30 secs. and other days it's a struggle.

The lead up to my period my sleeve opens up once again and allows me to eat more dense Protein and bullshit carbs . Then when my period is about to end it slams shut. But here's the catch, I've gotten used to eating the increased volume and so now I'm sick and I need to throw up. Any of this sound familiar to you?

How do you figure out if you have stretched your sleeve. You go back to basics. Start from the beginning and go back on a liquid diet. Do the pouch test. Mark my words, do a liquid diet for 3 days and you will see just how well your sleeve is working.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The truth is that as time goes on you can eat more than you could in the beginning. However and this is really important...it never goes back to what it used to be. I used to think that if my sleeve is letting me eat more as time goes on...then it will continue to do that. Mine does not. I am about one year out and I can eat at times more than I could BUT like someone above said...never the amount i once could. It's good that it opens up a bit, right? I mean you can't only eat 2 bites forever? BUT what it allows you is still very reasonable and that's the brilliance. Now having said that I will say that the more I eat...the more I can eat. The less I eat...the less I can eat. I don't know why but it's true. If I find myself wanting to eat more and pushing the limits...the sleeve seems to let me get a bit more in. But if I go back to liquids for a week I find that the sleeve suddenly refuses to let me eat the same portions as it did before. This is a wonder to me. And I love it. So don't panic. You will have victory!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×