Hi, I am 5 weeks out from having gastric bypass. I have lost 39 pounds since surgery. I was given the all clear and able to resume normal foods. My problem is that I don't know how much I should be eating. I was told to expect a tightness in my chest when I was full but I have yet to feel it. I make my self stop eating out of fear that I am eating too much. I do get a full feeling around my belly area which goes away after a few minutes. Please tell me how much is too much. I am absolutely terrified that I am going to screw this up. I am truly at my wits end. An example of what I have eaten today. Breakfast : 1 Carmel premier protein shake. Lunch : 2 slices of Black Forest ham luncheon meat with two fairly thick slices of sharp cheddar cheese, with mustard. I am able to eat what I want. I seem to tolerate everything I eat. Am I over doing it? Thank you in advance.

Hi, I am 5 weeks out from having gastric bypass. I have lost 39 pounds since surgery. I was given the all clear and able to resume normal foods. My problem is that I don't know how much I should be eating. I was told to expect a tightness in my chest when I was full but I have yet to feel it. I make my self stop eating out of fear that I am eating too much. I do get a full feeling around my belly area which goes away after a few minutes. Please tell me how much is too much. I am absolutely terrified that I am going to screw this up. I am truly at my wits end. An example of what I have eaten today. Breakfast : 1 Carmel premier protein shake. Lunch : 2 slices of Black Forest ham luncheon meat with two fairly thick slices of sharp cheddar cheese, with mustard. I am able to eat what I want. I seem to tolerate everything I eat. Am I over doing it? Thank you in advance.

Hello I’m about the same amount of weeks. 10/11/2017 surgery date. Every doctor is different. My nutritionist and doctor have me eating no more than two ounces three times per day. Ex: breakfast...one egg 1 oz and 1 oz turkey sausage. Lunch 1oz of deli sliced turkey 1oz of veg...carrots or green beans. Dinner 1 oz cod and 1oz cooked spinach...snacks ....2oz Greek yogurt and laughing cow cheese.....most of the time I️ have to still add in one protein shake. Sometimes two..... my team told me no starches until I’m at my goal weight. That includes beans, nuts..etc so I’m suppose to be eating on a daily basis 60 to 80 of protein and no more than 45 to 50 carbs... most of my carbs come from Gatorade, G2 and sugar free popsicles. Also, I️ use an app called net diary and I️ scan everything I️ eat. Also, I️ weigh and measure everything and put it in 1 and 2 oz containers... hope this helps.....

Oh thank you Missytee. How many slices of deli turkey is one ounce. I need to buy a scale. Do you get a tightness in your chest when you eat too much? I was told I would but I don't. I make myself stop eating because I'm afraid I'm eating to much. Everyone has said that you hurt when you over eat but I don't hurt. Period.

The directions I received after my RNY gastric bypass surgery was:

First 4 weeks following surgery - (2 ounces per meal) - full liquids.

Weeks 5-8 - (2 ounces per meal) - pureed foods.

Weeks 9-15 - (3 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

Months 4-6 - (4 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

Months 7-9 - (5 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

Months 10-12 - (6 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

Months 12-18 - (7 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

18 months and beyond - (8 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

1 ounce = 2 tablespoons = 1/8 cup

Oh thank you Missytee. How many slices of deli turkey is one ounce. I need to buy a scale. Do you get a tightness in your chest when you eat too much? I was told I would but I don't. I make myself stop eating because I'm afraid I'm eating to much. Everyone has said that you hurt when you over eat but I don't hurt. Period.

It really depends on the turkey. I️ use a scale to weigh my food. Also, I️ sometimes get the tightness but I️ try not to let it get that far. I️ just eat the amount of food I’m suppose to. Generally, when I️ get the tightness, it means I️ at too much.

Definitely invest in a scale. It is your best ally and tool before and after surgery. Hat's off to you for going this long without one! My docs told me between 600-800 calories a day, 60-80g protein a day over the course of 3-5 meals a day. Depending on my schedule, I may just have 3 small meals, or I'll have two small snacks and 3 small meals. Just depends on what I'm up to. I have started keeping at least one Quest protein bar in my purse at all times for those weekend days that I'm running around and don't want to worry about lunch. I drink a lot of caffeine free hot tea, powerade zero, and water or water with crystal light to try and get my liquids in. I also use MyFitnessPal to track everything I eat, and keep an eye on the nutrition breakdown as the day goes on to make sure I'm at least hitting my protein goal.

On 11/11/2017 at 1:56 PM, James Marusek said:

The directions I received after my RNY gastric bypass surgery was:

First 4 weeks following surgery - (2 ounces per meal) - full liquids.

Weeks 5-8 - (2 ounces per meal) - pureed foods.

Weeks 9-15 - (3 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

Months 4-6 - (4 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

Months 7-9 - (5 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

Months 10-12 - (6 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

Months 12-18 - (7 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

18 months and beyond - (8 ounces per meal) - solid foods.

1 ounce = 2 tablespoons = 1/8 cup

This is awesome, James! I'm gonna go add these values to the food chart in the food area!!

The only thing to add, once you're at the point where you are going by weight rather than volume is that 1oz of protein by weight is different than 1oz of anything by volume.

By volume, 1oz is made by about 2tbsp=1/8 cup.

By weight, 1oz of meat either ground of finely chopped is actually about 4tbsp=1/4cup. Please give this a try. Cook up ground turkey or ground beef. Weight out 1oz. Then put it in a 1/4cup measure. It will fill it up.

My concern is that if people think they are consuming 2oz of protein or 12-14g of protein, when they eat 1/4cup of protein without weighing it, when actually, they are only eating 1oz and that's about 6-7g of protein, then they will unintentionally overestimate how much protein they're actually eating. It may not be that big of a deal, but for some, it might represent a tipping point?

I am 8 months postop and use my digital scale almost every day. It weighs ounces and grams (grams comes in handy occasionally).

My main dish is a bowl that holds 8oz, so I can't go over that. (I'm stuffed if I eat a full bowl of anything).

I second that meat must always be weighed.

Oh, and I also get full down in the belly. As soon as you feel that, stop eating. That's your signal. (It does go away quickly, but your meal is done, regardless).