Hi! I am just starting the "soft solids" phase (I am a month out). My plan says I am allowed 2-3 ounces for the next two weeks. This is how much food I normally prepare. But in reality, there is just no way I can eat that much in one sitting without either throwing up or getting right to the edge. Fortunately I've figured out how to tell when I am getting to that point and STOPPING before it gets to be bad.

What I find myself doing, however, might not be so constructive, and I wanted to get your feedback about it. I will wait at least 40 minutes to have some water, which as someone pointed out "washes out" the sleeve. Now I realize that I'm supposed to leave at least 2-1/2 hours between meals/snacks, but I find myself "ready" to finish the part of the portion that I didn't eat pretty quickly (another hour?) after liquids.

Part of me feels it's OK as I didn't really "finish" my "portion" and it feels like I might be simply completing my meal. But I've also read the warnings about "grazing" and I feel like this might be categorized as such. What thinks you veterans? Am I setting some bad habits for further down the line? Or is this a reasonable way to proceed until my sleeve becomes more able to tolerate "normal" portions of food.

Curious as to your opinions. Thank you.

This is a good question. Once I am done with a meal I am done, and I usually don't eat again for at least 3 hours. However, if you are not meeting your protein goals I think it is appropriate to eat every 2-3 hours if you needed to get it all in. There are many vets who eat 5-6 times a day smaller amounts. Hopefully you will get some more responses from those further out.

To me, grazing is more about not tracking what you're eating and not realizing how many calories, carbs, etc, you're eating.

I was similar in the beginning and couldn't get a "whole" portion down in one sitting, so I'd eat a little, break eat a little break. Eventually I was able to eat a "whole" portion.

I think the trick is to make sure you're following the program, seems like we all have slightly different experiences.

So long as you're tracking I think you're doing alright.