My doc really stresses the need to limit portions to about 3-4 oz. at a time in order to avoid stretching my pouch. He says most of the problems they see are due to overeating and has suggested eating more frequently if I am not satisfied with 3-4 oz. I have found, however, that even though I can feel famished, I am usually satisfied with that amount, especially if it's solid Protein.

I use a small plate, cocktail fork, baby spoon, etc, and that really does help, but I continue to struggle taking very small amounts, especially when I am hungry. My best weapon seems to be to avoid getting too hungry.

I guess I'm having a hard time getting used to the new smaller portions IN MY MIND. It just doesn't LOOK like enough. Anyone else deal with this? How do you make the transition after years of loading up a plate with huge quantities and then always going back for more? Perhaps time will heal that "wound" as well?

How much does your doc recommend for meal-size and how do you stick to that? Also-- do you measure by weight or volume? I'm thinking volume is the key since we are trying to avoid overstuffing the pouch.

Thanks!

Edited July 13, 200818 yr by CallMeJim

You're lucky- My Dr. tells me to eat 2 oz per meal. In the evening I am really hungry. I have a lot of energy and am able to exercise without feeing weak. It's amazing how little food (fuel) we actually need! You'll get used to the small amount of food you eat.. Just keep it up!

I too am concerned if I will be able to handle eating such small amounts long term after being a volume eater all of my life. I guess it's just being very aware of what I'm doing that will get me through it.

Edited July 13, 200818 yr by Long2BFree

I'm no more than 4oz each meal too. I was so ready to do this that I'm not struglling "too" bad with each meal. There are times I eat too fast and then there are times 4oz isn't enough. But I'm also only 2cc's in a 10cc band so I know in my mind I still have to work the band until 2 or 3 more fills. But overall, I'm satisfied with my 4oz as long as most of it is protein. And doing a protein milkshake once a day helps.

I can honestly say after being banded on 7/8 that I am starving. I am on liquids and am trying to get some harder things in there but last night I couldn't even sleep because the hunger was so bad....I really really hope it gets better soon. Fill isn't coming for 5 more weeks....am I going to starve in the meantime?

My problem right now is what you mentioned, Jim--4 oz. doesn't LOOK like it will be enough. I've been banded 1 month today and I constantly eat more than 4 oz. and then regret it because I get TOO full. My brain hasn't adjusted yet to imagine that I only need 1/2 a cup of food. Weird, isn't it?

I handle the portions like this:

I eat no more than 1 cup of food every 3-4 waking hours.

I have 1 egg scrambled with 1 ounce of cheese & some chopped black forest ham (ham & cheese are pre-chopped in baggies in the fridge) or instant oatmeal with skim milk, raisins & ground almonds for Breakfast.

I have a plastic sippy cup of juice for a snack.

I have a high Protein Boost for lunch. I don't actually take a lunch break, so I sip this as I work at my desk.

Now dinner, that use to be the tricky part. I have made up about 9 one pot meals over the last few weeks & frozen them in 1 cup containers. Each day I defrost one for that night, so there is no way too have a larger portion. I have things like chili, spagetti sauce & a bit of macaroni, & shepards pie all made with ground turkey. I also have several chicken dishes made with a little rice or Pasta & cream of something Soup, + beef stew, & a Canadian bacon / potato stew. I even have one Kraft dish made with chicken, corn, salsa & cheese. Since they taste good, it helps to satisfy me.

I have it easier than some, as I don't have kids at home often & my husband is very supportive. He either has the 2 cup portions of the same meals I have frozen for him or he works away at my pile of left over Nutri-system meals.

We have no junk food in the house anymore. My husband & step sons have their healthier cerea bars. They can also go eat whatever they want when they are not at home.

For my evening snack & will have yogurt, or cottage cheese with tuna or fruit, or 2 rye crisps with hummus or Peanut Butter...a hard boiled egg would work here too.

I try to get my Water in first thing in the morning, on the drive to & from work, & before bed. I am only getting in about half of what I'd guzzle pre-band.

I try to eat at around the same times every day. Routine really helps me. My body always knows when food is coming & I don't get hungry. I do get the odd craving & I remind myself that it is not long before I can eat again.

So far this has worked well. I am coming into my 8th week & I don't need a fill yet. :party:

--------------------

I eat all of my meals in a small Cereal bowl or on a dessert plate with baby cutlery.

Edited July 13, 200818 yr by *Love*

caybachman-- you will not starve, but make sure you are following doc's orders and getting enough liquid protein and other liquids. You have only been banded a few days so no "hard" stuff as that could mess up your band and interfere with proper healing. Protein is key. Are you getting enough? Hang in there!

Great stuff Love-- you are well organized! Keep up the good work.

LOVE-

you need to come to my house and set me up to, geesh you got it going on girly!!

I guess I'm having a hard time getting used to the new smaller portions IN MY MIND. It just doesn't LOOK like enough. Anyone else deal with this? How do you make the transition after years of loading up a plate with huge quantities and then always going back for more? Perhaps time will heal that "wound" as well?

It does get better. In my first few weeks my brain was CONSTANTLY screaming at me, "Wait! Don't walk away from the plate! It's not EMPTY! You can't POSSIBLY last to the next meal on only THAT!" Even as I was fighting to keep down the little bit I HAD eaten. I felt full and stuffed but my brain was unconvinced!

Whew!! That's when I understood the meaning of HEAD HUNGER!

And to make matters worse -- other people comment, too?

If I've asked him ONCE, I've asked him a hundred times but my hubby will still ask, "Is that all you're gonna eat?":sneaky: Don't get me wrong -- he's plenty supportive, but he's just amazed that I can function on so much less food than I ate BEFORE surgery.

Side note: He's actually tacked on about 20 lbs since my surgery BECAUSE instead of splitting Entrees in half when we eat out, I only eat a couple of ounces and he's been finishing the plate! LOL

Hang in there!

HA! It takes getting used to. Pretty soon you'll be sitting in a restaurant and seeing these HUGE jumbo size portions of food people are eating (the stuff WE used to eat) and you'll be amazed that they can cram all that food in there. Your mind will catch up, give it time.

1/4 to 1 cup pending on how my fills are going.

I was totally struggling just like everyone else with only 1 fill I could eat anything and everything and it was torture because I was always hungry and those 4oz meals my doctor wanted me to do 3 x's a day nothing in between was bandster hell for sure. I told him since I was a self pay I paid him $14,500 to go on a self imposed diet!!!! So I started to try and eat little meals in between and that really helped. Even if it was just a protein bar and I started losing weight and I didn't feel like I was being punished. Then Thursday I got my second fill and I have restriction (at least for now) and I can't eat that much at a sitting even if I wanted too so I make sure it's protein and if there's room then veggies or fruit. I have lost 4lbs since my fill Thursday. I am not weighing anything!!!! My body is doing it for me. I honestly can say I didn't think this day would come or if it did would I know what to do but the band doesn't let me eat more and that is what I paid $14,500 for!

Good Luck!

I can eat 2 to 3 oz of protein and feel great on that. I don't miss large portions at all. At times I do miss eating sushi (lots and lots) or maybe a big plate of spaghetti or something like that. You will get use to it.