How much food can you eat with sleeve?

[emp409 5]

So I'm totally new and still trying to figure all of this out. Had my initial consult with surgeon last week and have my workup next week. I am not sure which surgery to do - sleeve, band, or new sips procedure (sleeve + bypass). As silly as it sounds, I'm worried that I won't be able to eat like a normal person ever again. Will I always just eat a few bites and be full? Can I enjoy a meal with my family? Is there a difference in how or what you eat based on the type of wls you have? My bmi is almost 60 so my surgeon is recommending something other than the band. Thanks for any advice!!

[KristenVSG2014 1,871]

Some days I have more restriction than others but for the most part I can eat 1/4 - 1/2 cup of food. It also depends on what I'm eating. I can only eat one boiled egg. But I went out to eat with friends Thursday and was able to eat 90% of a salmon fillet and two bites of spinach. No one knew about my surgery or questioned why I didn't finish my food. This wasn't my first time eating out. Just eat slowly, talk a lot and take a doggie bag if you can't finish. I have no regrets!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

So I'm totally new and still trying to figure all of this out. Had my initial consult with surgeon last week and have my workup next week. I am not sure which surgery to do - sleeve, band, or new sips procedure (sleeve + bypass). As silly as it sounds, I'm worried that I won't be able to eat like a normal person ever again. Will I always just eat a few bites and be full? Can I enjoy a meal with my family? Is there a difference in how or what you eat based on the type of wls you have? My bmi is almost 60 so my surgeon is recommending something other than the band. Thanks for any advice!!

You will develop a new normal and even better you will learn to socialize with food and not overeat. I eat anywhere from a ¼ to a cup at most but I am completely satisfied. I've been out to eat several times since being sleeved. The only things that changed is I no longer drink with my meals and I always have a doggy bag. Believe it or not we never ate like a normal person. We overate. For me the sleeve helps me manage on a much smaller portion. I can't speak for lap band, but sleever and bypass all aim for Protein first then veg.

[SuperDave 1,115]

Welcome to the site! I had the same thoughts before surgery, but so far my fears have been for nothing. I am 2 months post op, and I eat about 3 ounces of food per meal. I still eat with friends and family. It takes me as long to eat my 3 ounces as it does for them to eat whatever they are having. It's just really not a big deal. They know why I am doing what I am doing and it does not become a topic of conversation. Do I occasionally think how great it would be to scarf down a giant sub or a big steak and potato? Of course! But the reality is that doing those things never truly made me happy. It is just my brain trying to stop me from breaking old habits. My "food victories" (eating something new or especially amazing) have been replaced with "health victories" (losing weight, dropping clothing sizes, running up stairs instead of waiting for an elevator, receiving compliments, a much improved sex life, a desire to get out and do something, etc etc etc.) In time your eating will return to a more normal state, though hopefully nothing like what got you to this point in the first place. You just have to decide what is more important to you, food or literally EVERYTHING ELSE in life! I won't say it was an easy choice for me, but I know now that I made the correct decision!

[emp409 5]

Thanks for the replies. You're right - I have definitely overate my whole life. I like the idea of finding a new normal. Anyone on here with a bmi near 60 - would love to hear success stories of the sleeve with that much weight to lose!

[emp409 5]

Super Dave - thanks, great perspective and helps a lot!

[SuperDave 1,115]

Thanks for the replies. You're right - I have definitely overate my whole life. I like the idea of finding a new normal. Anyone on here with a bmi near 60 - would love to hear success stories of the sleeve with that much weight to lose!

@@emp409 There are a lot of different sub-forums in here. This one is for people to post by how much weight they have to lose:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/419-weight-loss-specific-gastric-sleeve-surgery-support-groups/

There are also sub forums by age group, gender, how far along you are in your journey, location, religious affiliation, and many more! Clicking on the BariatricPal logo in the upper left corner of any page on the site will take you to the menu and you can scroll through all the options. Best of luck on your decision and your journey! There are lots of people here willing to help whenever you need it!

[McButterpants 2,846]

Depends on the food...dense Protein like beef, chicken breast or turkey breast, I can't eat much - 2-3 ounces plus a couple of bites of something else. Tortilla chips - I can eat a ton of those...can't keep those in the house. I just ate 3/4 of a cup of chicken pot pie, focusing on the chicken, I'm full, I ate a few bites too many. :-)

[Jordan861 124]

Little over 5 months...mine depends on what I am eating...thin (soup not heavy with stuff) about 1/2 cup. Thicker or chunkyier closer to 1/4 cup. Solid (meat) about two ounces. As for ever eating normally... I hope I never do it again, cause my normal let me become 258+ pds. I go out and order usually off the appetizer menu.... Eat what I want slowly and talk a lot...then get a go box and your left overs will be about three meals and some to throw away. My biggest issue is throwing away food.... I learned it is ok to throw away food, I don't have to clean my plate thinking about some starving people. I Love my sleeve and the only regret is I did not have it done 10 years ago.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Thanks for the replies. You're right - I have definitely overate my whole life. I like the idea of finding a new normal. Anyone on here with a bmi near 60 - would love to hear success stories of the sleeve with that much weight to lose!

My BMI is over 60 and I have lost weight. I'm 3½ months out and as of 12/19 I've lost 48lbs

[SuperDave 1,115]

@@emp409 - My BMI was 59 when I decided I had to make a change. Most of what I have lost was before surgery. I finally decided to have the sleeve to help get me to my goal and not regain the weight. If you are interested you can read about it in this post I made a couple months ago:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/324809-my-story-so-far/

[katbends 1]

I hear that for every one that it put on 4 are being removed. I've heard that they slip and move around. Foreign object in your body and more people are rejecting it. Do research I suggest.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I hear that for every one that it put on 4 are being removed. I've heard that they slip and move around. Foreign object in your body and more people are rejecting it. Do research I suggest.

I have no idea what this means.

[SuperDave 1,115]

I hear that for every one that it put on 4 are being removed. I've heard that they slip and move around. Foreign object in your body and more people are rejecting it. Do research I suggest.

I have no idea what this means.

I think she is referring to getting a band as opposed to the sleeve. That was one of the original concerns, which surgery to choose.

[katbends 1]

I'm sorry, yes I meant the lap band.

I've been hearing they are removing more of them than ever. I'm hoping For the sleeve. Kiaser chooses for you is what I hear.