Ok this is for all the sleevers who are 6 mo out or more. Will I ever be able to eat a meal again? Is it possible? I'm only 3 weeks post op and I can't hardly eat anything. I know that's probably the norm, but I was just wondering later on what can and do you eat? I also have these "moments" of depression about not being able to eat like I use to even though I know I would over eat. I don't want that, but it's like I'm morning food at times. Is that crazy? I just talk my way through it and then I get on the scales and I'm happy with my progress. Just wondering if I'm the only one that has experienced this. Thanks for any input.

I am 1 year out. I remember the days of not feeling "Normal" because I could only eat a couple of bites. Also I was depressed that I could only eat a couple bites.

I can't eat a "meal" as in pre-surgery 1500 calories in one sitting "meal". But I can eat about 4 shrimp, a couple bites of salad, and a couple bites of rice in one sitting. I eat many small meals now and don't mind it. It has become my life and I can't remember how it feels to eat so much in one sitting any longer.

Hang in there, it gets better!

Tomorrow is my 1 year surgery-versary and I'm like BeBe. I can't eat near what I did before surgery in one sitting. Take for instance this weekend, my husband and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings. Before, I would have ordered 12 regular wings, fries, maybe we would have shared an appetizer and then probably gone for ice cream after (MY WORD that sounds horrible now), anyway, I ordered my 12 wings because I like to have more than just one sauce, but those 12 wings fed me for 3 different meals. With no sides, appetizers or Desserts. What I eat now is more like what I should have been eating before. There is a limit to everything that I can eat (except wavy Lays potato chips but I SHOULDN'T be eating them anyway) but I haven't found anything that I can not eat. You have to listen to your body and advance the amount you can eat when it is ready. I have not once been sick and haven't thrown up since surgery. There have been a few times, within about the first 4 months after surgery when I was still learing what full felt like that I thought I was going to be sick because I over ate or drank too soon after eating. Things will get more normal but you will also get a new normal and that's a good thing. I'd do this all over again tomorrow if I needed to. I'm down 140 pounds and am thrilled about the changes that have come about because of my sleeve.

I know you asked for 6 mos. out and beyond, but I am now 3 months out and can echo the above posts. I can eat just about anything, but I am choosing the better options. Portion control was always my problem, but it certainly isn't anymore. I only notice that PMS brings about strong cravings and a desire to eat a lot. (And sometimes the ability to eat more than usual. Still trying to figure that one out!) I do remember your stage and I often said I felt like being sleeved was like forced anorexia. It was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but soon you'll be eating again--the same way all those skinny people around you eat. Good luck!

Ok this is for all the sleevers who are 6 mo out or more. Will I ever be able to eat a meal again? Is it possible? I'm only 3 weeks post op and I can't hardly eat anything. I know that's probably the norm, but I was just wondering later on what can and do you eat? I also have these "moments" of depression about not being able to eat like I use to even though I know I would over eat. I don't want that, but it's like I'm morning food at times. Is that crazy? I just talk my way through it and then I get on the scales and I'm happy with my progress. Just wondering if I'm the only one that has experienced this. Thanks for any input.

As silly as this may sound ... embrace this time. I soooo understand your feelings about mourning food. I used to as well. I questioned why I was mourning. I would see people stuffing themselves and wish I could do that. That is just the sick part of me talking. Wishing I could abuse food the way I used to. Why did I want to eat half a pizza? What was it I was trying to fill?

Now and again, at coming close to 3 years post, I catch myself using food for other purposes than feeding my nutrition. I am angry, lonely or tired and return to my old ways of mindlessly eating something that I really don't want or need. Back in your stage, I couldn't do that to the point I do now. For the most part, I keep it contained. I am able to maintain now at my goal weight, but it is a constant struggle. I have to always be way more mindful than I was in the first 6 months.

Ok this is for all the sleevers who are 6 mo out or more. Will I ever be able to eat a meal again? Is it possible? I'm only 3 weeks post op and I can't hardly eat anything. I know that's probably the norm, but I was just wondering later on what can and do you eat? I also have these "moments" of depression about not being able to eat like I use to even though I know I would over eat. I don't want that, but it's like I'm morning food at times. Is that crazy? I just talk my way through it and then I get on the scales and I'm happy with my progress. Just wondering if I'm the only one that has experienced this. Thanks for any input.

I'm 2 months out but I wanted to chime in - if you are missing the "social" aspect of eating (a restaurant with friends etc) YOU CAN DO IT!! My partner and I have a nice little ritual - we pick our daughter up from daycare and go to a restaurant. I order something small (a cup of soup), we get something off the kids menu for our little one, and he orders something "sensible". We refuse the bread, chat about the day, color with our daughter, and generally enjoy our time together. I might have a small taste of his food or whatever but it's just a taste. And when we're done, we're done! We get a box for leftovers (sometimes I'll order a "meal" which will last me 2 more days!) and Home we go.

I have been asked SOOO many times by our servers "didn't you like it?" "Weren't you hungry?" "Did you want me to take it back?" Because it looks like I've barely touched my food sometimes... I just smile and I say it was wonderful but I'm full now!