Hi fellow sleevers. I've been feeling pretty sad and down lately when it comes to my sleeve. I'm still losing weight, although slowly, but I'm not complaining about that. I've tried a 6" from subway a few times now. I can eat the whole thing. And yes, just because I can doesn't mean I have to. But I am just alarmed by the capacity of my stomach based on this. At 4 months I started noticing I could eat more. This does include the bread on the sandwich. I just expected to not be able to fit that much food in my sleeve especially not this early on. Is anyone else in the same boat? If my capacity stayed at this amount forever I wouldn't mind, but I imagine it is just going to continue to increase. so sad...all that money. I don't regret my sleeve, just feeling sad and depressed right now. Is this way too much for those of you at about 5 months out? Or does this seem normal? Certainly doesn't seem normal to me.....

Hmmmm, We are all advised to eat slowly and stop as soon as you feel full. The research suggests that the stomach pouch does eventually allow about 4-6 oz... I'll let others comment on stretching, this is somewhat controversial. Do you still avoid liquid with your meals?

And lastly, because you CAN does not mean that you HAVE to!

Hmmmm' date=' We are all advised to eat slowly and stop as soon as you feel full. The research suggests that the stomach pouch does eventually allow about 4-6 oz... I'll let others comment on stretching, this is somewhat controversial. Do you still avoid liquid with your meals?

And lastly, because you CAN does not mean that you HAVE to![/quote']

I completly agree...Pre sleeved I bet anyone could eat a footlong sub plus some in a sitting, doesnt mean they should.

Im six months also and yes I definitely feel like I can eat more all of a sudden.. I'm not sure if I could eat a subway ( I don't eat out much) but it is scary! I think at this point in our weight loss is when the "real" work kicks in and it is all about choices.. Something I've never been really good at but I am working on everyday.

Yes like I said, just because I can doesn't mean I have to. I don't drink with meals. And definitely, this really is where the "work" is coming in!! Before surgery I could eat a footlong, chips, 3 cookies and still have room for more! So obviously an improvement, but still scary. I wish it were easier and I couldn't eat as much as I can. It was literally like overnight my capacity increased. Quite discouraging.

I guess I'm confused, how is it discouraging?

First off take this test to find out your capacity. http://www.bsciresourcecenter.com/proddetail.php?prod=A4

It is a valid bariatric test. What you do is measure a tub of cottage cheese. Then eat until you are satisfied but not full to the point of uncomfortable. Weight the remaining portion leftover. Subtract the 1st weight with the 2nd weight and that should give you a good est on how much your sleeve actually holds.

Now, Just becuase you can eat a 6 in sub now doesn't mean anything really. I mean it makes a big difference if it were a plain meatball w/ sauce sub versus a roast beef with all the fixin's sub. Also the bread type does matter too. White breads expand much more than wheat ones do in the stomach. You can experiment with this using white vinegar and a slice of each type of bread. Soak until saturated and notice any expansion and break down at the 30 min and 60 min mark.

The weights and texture ability of both of these subs are very different. The meatball one may weigh more but may also break down more easily thus creating a slider type of food. The roast beef one may weight less but has a lot more roughage and could fill up up faster.

So, more details on the type of sub would help.

I know how you feel! I feel the same way about my capacity too.. I keep telling myself that my stomach must still be very small but somedays it just doesn't feel that way.. I think also the hunger coming back is a major issue with me!

I'm 5 months out also but I don't think a 6 inch sub is something I could eat. I can however eat more lately than before. I had (almost) a whole fish taco yesterday with two chips, definitely more than I have been able to eat in the past and the other day I ate almost a whole half of a wrap. I still don't eat real bread through...just flat breads/tortillas and such. Laura is right, this is when our real work begins! This is when we need to make smart decisions, even when our body allows us to make poor ones!

To the person who asked why its discouraging I can eat so much more now..... Because its much nicer to have more restriction, simply. I want my stomach to give me a stop signal way before it does.

As to the type of sub.... One was ham with only lettuce and mustard on a flatbread. The other was oven roasted chicken on wheat.

I will try that test, thank you!

So you ate 2 sandwiches? How did you figure this was 6 in?

I did not eat them at the same time. Two different meals...........

I would call your Dr. or Nutritionist if your program has one and discuss.

Your capacity is slightly higher than mine, but if you felt full after the 6", it's probably in the ballpark. I'm two years out. At 6 months, I still didn't do bread to well, so I mostly avoided it. Everyone heals differently. Last week I ate a 6" Sweet Onion Teriaki on whole wheat with spinach, red onions, and cucumbers. I ate the whole thing except like two bites of bread. At one year out, I ate the same sandwich, but only 1/2 the bread.

Like others, I ate a lot more pre-op. I was known to finish a 12', along with chips, a drink, and a big dessert within an hour or so.

Lynda

So it seems my capacity is too much for 5 months post op, right? I'm so sad over this.

Yes like I said, just because I can doesn't mean I have to. I don't drink with meals. And definitely, this really is where the "work" is coming in!! Before surgery I could eat a footlong, chips, 3 Cookies and still have room for more! So obviously an improvement, but still scary. I wish it were easier and I couldn't eat as much as I can. It was literally like overnight my capacity increased. Quite discouraging.

Firstly, you must remember that it can take up to 6 months for your stomach to full heal from the surgery. Which means you are probably experiencing extensive swelling in the stomach, not just for the first few weeks, but for up to 6 months. The "sudden" extra capacity could very well be as a result of decreased internal swelling and not any form of stretching.

Secondly, you cannot truly "know" you real capacity until you have established a baseline "normal". Which you can't do while you are healing, and is difficult to do while you are changing "variables".

Variables include:

- adding new foods/textures to your diet

- increasing/decreasing your activity or exercise level(s)

- Hormonal changes (esp. during menstruation in women)

and many more....

Don't get discouraged! It's like being disappointed in what a puzzle will look like, when you've only just seen a few pieces laid out. There is alot more ahead of you that will show you the "full picture".

As to how much you will eat at 1 year, who knows? But as you say, the element of "your choice" and "your decisions" will make ALL the difference. Making informed, healthy choices that FUEL your body (rather than your appetite and cravings) will help you reach your goal and maintain your losses.

I chose to use my first 6 months as a "training ground" to learn and establish my life-long eating habits going forward. That way I knew that future temptations, celebrations, cravings and "life" could be taken in stride without panic.

And when all else fails and I eat more than I should, I get A LOT more active and work it off.

Have faith. The tool of the VSG is only one part of your weight-loss and healthy living strategy. The best tool of all is your brain (no surgery required, but extensive modifications mandatory)!