Some days are harder than others. Like today, I went out to lunch for Lebanese food. I was mindlessly eating the appetizer hummus with friends and ate too much and then felt sick for the rest of the time we were there. I knew I wouldn't be able to eat very much but I didn't even get to touch my main dish. I brought it home and will enjoy it when I can, that's not a problem. The thing is, when I eat, I haven't mastered knowing my portion sizes and I think I've been too easy going with portions lately. Sometimes I think I just wait for my pouch to remind me it's there and by then, it's always too late. I want to feel normal again, and have to teach myself what normal means because right now, I don't know. Is anyone else struggling this way? I wish restaurants gave little plates like I have at home, lol.

I think what may help would be to box up a portion immediately to avoid this. I haven't gotten to your stage yet, but maybe being cognizant of the food and social connection. Eat slower, put the fork down between bites, and chewing slower may help your mind catch up to your satiation level. I feel so far is this is 99% psychological. I'm reevaluating my relationship with food.

I'm 8 weeks out and I definitely struggle with knowing when to stop... I usually start burping and feel it in my left shoulder but that's when I've ate too much... still learning what my cues are to know when I'm satisfied but not stuffed and prevent from getting to the point of burping. It's all such a learning experience that I think comes with time. I haven't gone to restaurants for this exact reason (well and I hate leftovers and with my sleeve I always have them).

1 hour ago, Sleeved3.29.17 said:

I wish restaurants gave little plates like I have at home...

If a person needs their meds at a meal at a restaurant, they have no problems bringing the pills along to take with their food. We should feel the same way about our special requirements. Pack a little plate into your purse, then you'll have it. (I'm assuming your plate is as small as mine ) bring some wet wipes to clean the plate when you're finished.

Also, perhaps either avoid the appetizer, ask that it is brought at the same time as the meal, or just eat the appetizer and not the meal (unless you want to bring the meal home).

Personally, I avoid the appetizers completely, leaving room for my meal (and so far I pretty much always just order a cup of soup). While others are eating their appetizer, I'm working on drinking water. (I drink right up until I eat, and haven't had a problem with getting full faster or hungry sooner). Gives me something to do with my hands while waiting, and helps meet fluid goals. I'm also 3.5 months postop.

I always weigh my portions and I never serve myself more then 3oz of protein and 1 oz of vegetables. This really helps and also eating slowly. By limiting my portions right off the bat I don't have to worry about eating that one bite too many.

Some days are harder than others. Like today, I went out to lunch for Lebanese food. I was mindlessly eating the appetizer hummus with friends and ate too much and then felt sick for the rest of the time we were there. I knew I wouldn't be able to eat very much but I didn't even get to touch my main dish. I brought it home and will enjoy it when I can, that's not a problem. The thing is, when I eat, I haven't mastered knowing my portion sizes and I think I've been too easy going with portions lately. Sometimes I think I just wait for my pouch to remind me it's there and by then, it's always too late. I want to feel normal again, and have to teach myself what normal means because right now, I don't know. Is anyone else struggling this way? I wish restaurants gave little plates like I have at home, lol.

I am definitely feeling this way as well. I am a little over two months and last week and this week have been struggling with having that extra bite too much and feeling sick. I feel like when my head is saying just finish that bite that's when I need to stop [emoji113] but still learning and not doing as well as I would like. This is the learning phase someone once said and I am trying to not be so hard on myself. Thanks for sharing, I am in the same boat right now.

Dont eat appetizers at all when they come to the table.

I'm 3.5 months out, too!

There's a restaurant/bakery in my town called 7 Bites. It got its name because the owner had VSG surgery and afterwards could only eat about seven bites of food in one sitting. She decided, since her food intake was limited, that those seven bites should be the best food imaginable, so that's what she serves.

ANYWAY I'm telling you this because I've adopted this as a strategy and it works! I have seven bites per meal. I've mastered the art of spacing out my bites so that I finish with everyone else.

I don't get that sickly full feeling anymore. Sometimes after my seven bites I still feel hungry, but if I wait 10 minutes I realize I'm actually full.