Can we talk about weighing/measuring your food? I recently just finished my second month and I am down 48 pounds. (woohoo!) However, I have never measured or weighed the amount of food I am eating. I typically just use a small bowl and eat all of my meals out of it, and work to take 30 minutes to eat each meal. However, a family member who also got VSG said I should be weighing and measuring everything I eat, and I should work to understand the volume at which I can consume my foods. I'm not sure I understand what this means and why I have to do it. I suppose I am seeking out advice into what you all do, and how it has helped with your weightloss? Or do you guys think I'm fine just putting my food in my small bowl and eating as is? Do you guys weigh the amount of food you're consuming? Do you count calories? Help? Thanks so much!

Can't wait to hear the replies to this one!

39 minutes ago, chaibaix said:

Can we talk about weighing/measuring your food? I recently just finished my second month and I am down 48 pounds. (woohoo!) However, I have never measured or weighed the amount of food I am eating. I typically just use a small bowl and eat all of my meals out of it, and work to take 30 minutes to eat each meal. However, a family member who also got VSG said I should be weighing and measuring everything I eat, and I should work to understand the volume at which I can consume my foods. I'm not sure I understand what this means and why I have to do it. I suppose I am seeking out advice into what you all do, and how it has helped with your weightloss? Or do you guys think I'm fine just putting my food in my small bowl and eating as is? Do you guys weigh the amount of food you're consuming? Do you count calories? Help? Thanks so much!

This is a perfectly reasonable question and you should feel free to ask questions here.

Once you're past the liquid phase, most programs that I've seen start people off eating 1-2 tablespoons of food at a time. They don't want to put stress on your suture line and they don't want you to throw up because you're too full. You eventually progress to 1/2 cup, then 1 cup, etc. It sounds like your program didn't give you much guidance. Did they give you guidance on progressing from one food type to the next?

Anyway, "small bowl" is not enough detail. Can you tell me how many ounces (liquid) it holds? It's good that you're eating slowly, but the total quantity is important. For one thing, that's the only way to know if you're getting enough protein.

34 minutes ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

This is a perfectly reasonable question and you should feel free to ask questions here.

My reply was not meant in any other way but fun. It's actually my favorite question here and we always get SO many different viewpoints! Especially from those who do not weigh or measure and those (like me) who obsessively plan, weigh and measure!

Apologies OP. I did not mean this to discourage you! I should have typed this out in my first response.

(Disclaimer: I am an outlier!)

I actually still plan, weigh AND measure every bite of food that goes in my mouth (unless I'm out at a restaurant. When I'm at a restaurant I use my hand to estimate serving sizes and pack away my extra food immediately).

I use (d) the size of measuring cup appropriate for my stage and place it on the scale. Then I place each item I'm eating into the cup, starting with protein at the bottom and weigh that in grams. I eat 2-4oz of lean dense protein per meal by weight (that makes about 3/8-3/4 cup of volume just from the protein) and at 18 months I have a 1 cup forever diet maximum per meal--supposedly. I try my best to observe that Maximum limit so I don't fork over my surgery. Then I tare the scale before each new addition so I know exactly how much and of what I'm eating and I also know that I have satisfied my protein goal for the day.

I eat mostly protein + veg + healthy fats at each meal. So it's pretty easy.

I do eat more than 1 cup per meal when I eat salad cuz it scrunches down into a lot of water when well-chewed.

Hope that helps!

Edited August 30, 20196 yr by FluffyChix

Nope never weigh food I should count calories but nope...

1 hour ago, chaibaix said:

Can we talk about weighing/measuring your food? I recently just finished my second month and I am down 48 pounds. (woohoo!) However, I have never measured or weighed the amount of food I am eating. I typically just use a small bowl and eat all of my meals out of it, and work to take 30 minutes to eat each meal. However, a family member who also got VSG said I should be weighing and measuring everything I eat, and I should work to understand the volume at which I can consume my foods. I'm not sure I understand what this means and why I have to do it. I suppose I am seeking out advice into what you all do, and how it has helped with your weightloss? Or do you guys think I'm fine just putting my food in my small bowl and eating as is? Do you guys weigh the amount of food you're consuming? Do you count calories? Help? Thanks so much!

Yes I measured and counted to an extent. It helped me initially to know amounts until I had a good get a handle on them. Now I can see the amounts because I'm so used to it. But further out it *may* help more if your weightloss slows prematurely or when you want to ease into maintenance.

Check with your Team about how they want you to track your intake. Diffent programs have different rules.

Edited August 30, 20196 yr by GreenTealael

2 hours ago, chaibaix said:

Can we talk about weighing/measuring your food? I recently just finished my second month and I am down 48 pounds. (woohoo!) However, I have never measured or weighed the amount of food I am eating. I typically just use a small bowl and eat all of my meals out of it, and work to take 30 minutes to eat each meal. However, a family member who also got VSG said I should be weighing and measuring everything I eat, and I should work to understand the volume at which I can consume my foods. I'm not sure I understand what this means and why I have to do it. I suppose I am seeking out advice into what you all do, and how it has helped with your weightloss? Or do you guys think I'm fine just putting my food in my small bowl and eating as is? Do you guys weigh the amount of food you're consuming? Do you count calories? Help? Thanks so much!

Weighing is definitely important. My surgeon and team say it allows us to see what we are eating and taken in the proper portions so we do not overeat or stretch your sleeve or pouch. I do measure and find it helps me a lot. A friend of mine began to gain... she was not weighing her meals. Unintentionally overeating. Soon as she began weighing meals the weight began to drop again. Good luck and I hope this helps

Edited August 30, 20196 yr by Charlie2282

8 hours ago, chaibaix said:

Can we talk about weighing/measuring your food? I recently just finished my second month and I am down 48 pounds. (woohoo!) However, I have never measured or weighed the amount of food I am eating. I typically just use a small bowl and eat all of my meals out of it, and work to take 30 minutes to eat each meal. However, a family member who also got VSG said I should be weighing and measuring everything I eat, and I should work to understand the volume at which I can consume my foods. I'm not sure I understand what this means and why I have to do it. I suppose I am seeking out advice into what you all do, and how it has helped with your weightloss? Or do you guys think I'm fine just putting my food in my small bowl and eating as is? Do you guys weigh the amount of food you're consuming? Do you count calories? Help? Thanks so much!

Two month out. Congrats!

I don’t judge if people choose to log or not. We are adults and make our own decisions. Your first months is your best surgery restriction. You will be surprised at how much more food you will be able to eat as you progress. Don’t waste your first year of restriction.

LOGGING:

Any of us can gain weight by consuming extra calories or grazing. The only way you will know if you are eating over your calories is weighing and logging. Look up these food apps. (myfitnesspal or baritastic)

NOT LOGGING:

You can guess your calories and not know if you are getting in enough protein in. You will not know if you are eating enough or too little.

This does not mean you have to log long term. Its to learn portion sizes and the basics of how to fuel your body after surgery.

I'm five years out and maintain in the 130's. Logging has been one of the best tools available to me (besides my sleeve) I wish you the best in whatever you decide.

Disclaimer: I am still pre-op (until Wednesday). I also know that weighing/measuring/and recording foods are going to be my biggest challenge.

That said: I do believe from everything I have learned that this will be vital to my success. At least, it will be in the first several months while I retrain my body to eat the right foods in the right portions.

In the simplest of explanations: By weighing and measuring your food, you can be sure accurately eat proper portions and nutrient amounts. When we "eyeball" amounts, we tend to serve ourselves more than we are supposed to eat at one time. When we do that, we are overeating. We also are more unsure of what amounts of nutrients we are eating (too many carbs, too little protein). My "small" bowl may only hold 4 ounces of food, your "small" bowl" may hold 6-8 oz of food. That is a huge difference, and can mean the difference in being successful or not with your weight loss. The goal is to get the right portion sizes with the right nutrient amounts. And in keeping portion sizes small, you are reducing the risk of stretching your stomach back. When you do that, you are more hungry and you want to eat more.

I hate measuring, so right now I buy individual sized servings of anything I can. 1 serving of tuna or chicken. 1 serving of greek yogurt or v-8 juice. Or whatever foods I have been told to eat. Post-op... I know I will be eating less at each meal for a while. So, I purchased 2oz and 4oz disposable containers. I will use them to put things like my jello and yogurt into until I am up to a full serving.

For tracking food, I am learning to use the Bariastic app... but there are other apps you can use. I like this one as it is pretty simple to use, and I can take a picture of UPC codes for my foods.

I also bought scales for food not long ago. Another tool I bought was a bariatric portions plate/bowl. Waste of money? Maybe. But I am hoping it's plate bowl sizes and visuals will retrain me to automatically serve myself smaller portions. I have 2 bowls, 2 plates, and some smaller spoons/forks.

Eventually I hope to not have to measure everything, but for the first 6 months to a year I will do my best to measure and track EVERYTHING.

31 minutes ago, momof3_angels said:

I also bought scales for food not long ago. Another tool I bought was a bariatric portions plate/bowl. Waste of money? Maybe. But I am hoping it's plate bowl sizes and visuals will retrain me to automatically serve myself smaller portions. I have 2 bowls, 2 plates, and some smaller spoons/forks.

I'm a sucker for these things!

https://www.amazon.com/Portmeirion-Sophie-Conran-White-Measuring/dp/B004O2K7GW/ref=sr_1_11?gclid=CjwKCAjwkqPrBRA3EiwAKdtwkztgciP5GRnlewLlwajzrZtkqaI-tQtwOnV532RPcZrb8K89gOWNNBoCEQIQAvD_BwE&hvadid=323112042713&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9027716&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=b&hvrand=7652504210567318980&hvtargid=kwd-813743368512&hydadcr=28577_10704731&keywords=ceramic+measuring+cups+stackable&qid=1567197868&s=gateway&sr=8-11

3 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

Can't wait to hear the replies to this one!

I knew you were only kidding. Got a laugh out of me! ??

3 minutes ago, gabybab said:

I knew you were only kidding. Got a laugh out of me! ??

Yeah, I don't think everyone did...

Typically (or in many) of this type of thread question, the discussion gets very spirited with people either defending or asserting their position or right not to have to be the food police for the rest of their born days. Sometimes fireworks spontaneously errupt.

hehe. And I was trying not to insert my particular obsession love of weighing and measuring to the nth degree on the poor newbie OP--so I was gonna recuse myself from answering seriously. LOL! bahahaha.

Edited August 30, 20196 yr by FluffyChix

7 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

I'm a sucker for these things!

https://www.amazon.com/Portmeirion-Sophie-Conran-White-Measuring/dp/B004O2K7GW/ref=sr_1_11?gclid=CjwKCAjwkqPrBRA3EiwAKdtwkztgciP5GRnlewLlwajzrZtkqaI-tQtwOnV532RPcZrb8K89gOWNNBoCEQIQAvD_BwE&hvadid=323112042713&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9027716&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=b&hvrand=7652504210567318980&hvtargid=kwd-813743368512&hydadcr=28577_10704731&keywords=ceramic+measuring+cups+stackable&qid=1567197868&s=gateway&sr=8-11

Oh, I like those! I also got these: https://www.amazon.com/Bariatric-Portion-Melamine-Gastrectomy-Perfection/dp/B01GO61UHU/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=bariatric+plate&qid=1567198280&s=gateway&sr=8-6 And these https://www.amazon.com/PortionMate-Bariatric-Surgery-Eating-Guide/dp/B077BB9TWG/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=portion%2Brings&qid=1567198325&s=gateway&sr=8-2&th=1

Edited August 30, 20196 yr by momof3_angels

Just now, momof3_angels said:

Oh, I like those! I also got these: https://www.amazon.com/Bariatric-Portion-Melamine-Gastrectomy-Perfection/dp/B01GO61UHU/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=bariatric+plate&qid=1567198280&s=gateway&sr=8-6 And these https://www.amazon.com/PortionMate-Bariatric-Surgery-Eating-Guide/dp/B077BB9TWG/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=portion%2Brings&qid=1567198325&s=gateway&sr=8-2&th=1

Holy crap!!!

(runs off to place an Amazon order, stat...)

Disclaimer: I am still pre-op (until Wednesday). I also know that weighing/measuring/and recording foods are going to be my biggest challenge.
That said: I do believe from everything I have learned that this will be vital to my success. At least, it will be in the first several months while I retrain my body to eat the right foods in the right portions.
In the simplest of explanations: By weighing and measuring your food, you can be sure accurately eat proper portions and nutrient amounts. When we "eyeball" amounts, we tend to serve ourselves more than we are supposed to eat at one time. When we do that, we are overeating. We also are more unsure of what amounts of nutrients we are eating (too many carbs, too little protein). My "small" bowl may only hold 4 ounces of food, your "small" bowl" may hold 6-8 oz of food. That is a huge difference, and can mean the difference in being successful or not with your weight loss. The goal is to get the right portion sizes with the right nutrient amounts. And in keeping portion sizes small, you are reducing the risk of stretching your stomach back. When you do that, you are more hungry and you want to eat more.
I hate measuring, so right now I buy individual sized servings of anything I can. 1 serving of tuna or chicken. 1 serving of greek yogurt or v-8 juice. Or whatever foods I have been told to eat. Post-op... I know I will be eating less at each meal for a while. So, I purchased 2oz and 4oz disposable containers. I will use them to put things like my jello and yogurt into until I am up to a full serving.
For tracking food, I am learning to use the Bariastic app... but there are other apps you can use. I like this one as it is pretty simple to use, and I can take a picture of UPC codes for my foods.
I also bought scales for food not long ago. Another tool I bought was a bariatric portions plate/bowl. Waste of money? Maybe. But I am hoping it's plate bowl sizes and visuals will retrain me to automatically serve myself smaller portions. I have 2 bowls, 2 plates, and some smaller spoons/forks.
Eventually I hope to not have to measure everything, but for the first 6 months to a year I will do my best to measure and track EVERYTHING.

Everything you said!!![emoji108][emoji108][emoji108]

4 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

Holy crap!!!

(runs off to place an Amazon order, stat...)

They weren't cheap... but I plan to keep them for as long as I can, and hopefully never need to replace them. The ceramic plates/bowls were nice and heavy... they shouldn't break too easily. The bowls are quite big but have measurement markings all along the side. The plate is just bigger than a bread plate, but you can see how well a 3oz piece of chicken would fit perfectly in the protein spot. I can easily see using them regularly when at home. Not sure how the rings will work out... but going to give them a try!