DS Post op - How much can you eat now?

[jessgnc 167]

Hey everyone!

I'm about a year out from surgery. The past year has been a pretty steady increase in my capacity for food. I know that that's normal, you're stretching your pouch out.

For the past year, I'd joke with my husband that my capacity was "enough to eat until I felt like I could explode, but I could still send a meal back in a restaurant under the pretense of not liking it"*

The past month or so, I feel like I've reached a slightly larger portion size. I always measure my food out before the meal and lately I feel like I'm able to eat more off my plate. I went from being full after half of a small chicken breast to being able to do the full 4oz and then some of my sides.

I'm curious how far out from your surgery you are, and how much you can eat now. Care to share?

*For the record, I'd never do that! I just had to frequently explain to waitstaff that I didn't eat much when they commented on how little I ate

[Postop 405]

I eat a lot. I'd say at about a year out I went from 1 scrambled egg to 2-3. Now it's 3-4. While I don't finish it in one sitting, I do finish it.

Say for dinner, I eat 2 (pre-cooked weight 5.5 oz.) full fat hamburgers with catsup. I eat 1 and then the other a couple of hours later.

[TakingABreak 2,733]

2 minutes ago, Postop said:

I eat a lot. I'd say at about a year out I went from 1 scrambled egg to 2-3. Now it's 3-4. While I don't finish it in one sitting, I do finish it.

Say for dinner, I eat 2 (pre-cooked weight 5.5 oz.) full fat hamburgers with catsup. I eat 1 and then the other a couple of hours later.

Wow! I'm not DS, but I couldn't help but pop in and comment. This is A LOT. do you feel restriction anymore, I noticed your surgery was 2005. Do you exercise a lot to warrant all the calories? Have you noticed any gain?

[Postop 405]

@AshAsh1Yes. There is definitely an uncomfortableness if I eat too much but it takes a while to get there and by this time I know about where it is so I rarely hit it.

Nope. Not much exercise at all. Just some walking and weight lifting (when I'm able). Because of the malabsorption there isn't a calorie count involved. As long as most of what I eat is Protein, I'm good.

No gain. Most DSers put back maybe 10 -15 lbs. after a few years. This is bc many get down a bit too low. I didn't have that. If I put on a few, I just eat more protein and drink more liquids.

[disco stu 73]

On 5/18/2018 at 7:22 AM, Postop said:

@AshAsh1 As long as most of what I eat is Protein, I'm good.

How careful are you with the fat content of your Protein intake. i.e. Are you eating skinless chicken breast or can you go crazy on extra crispy KCF? Do you avoid sauces and cheese, or it's anything goes as long as the base is protein?

[Strivingforbetter 246]

I don't avoid cheese or butter at all. DS patients need the fat due to the malabsorption component. I stay away from fried food or I get the trots. I use Ranch dressing on my salads too. I eat a lot of chicken, fish, and hamburger. I've never liked steak. Yes, I can eat more now that I'm 11 months out post-op. I've gone from eating only half a chicken breast to eating most of it and a side dish. I'm still way under what I used to eat before I had my surgery. It does worry me a little, but the malabsorption is still working and I'm still losing.

[Postop 405]

22 hours ago, disco stu said:

How careful are you with the fat content of your Protein intake. i.e. Are you eating skinless chicken breast or can you go crazy on extra crispy KCF? Do you avoid sauces and cheese, or it's anything goes as long as the base is Protein?

@disco stu I need to eat a lot of fat. It greases the wheels so to speak. I always eat the skin with my chicken but I don't care for KFC. When I do eat fried chicken I do eat the skin but I don't eat it often .

I eat a good deal of cheeese each day. Sometimes a half a bar for Breakfast and then for Snacks each day. I'm not sure what types of sauces you mean. I'm an extremely plain eater (I always have been even pre-DS) . I do eat catsup and mustard, though.

Edited May 20, 2018 by Postop