I am nearly 3 weeks out and I think I can eat waaayyy more than I should.  I feel "sloshy" after drinking all my water for the day (am getting about 35oz).

I have noticed that sometimes, right after eating, I feel hollow. Almost like I haven't eaten anything at all. I don't eat more when I get that feeling because I'm afraid to overeat.

Is this a common feeling? Or am I uniquely weird?

 I'm not sure I totally understand your feeling.  But I know that when I eat--no matter how slowly I eat I always end up feeling really heavy in my gut once I've had about three bites.  I'm pretty much stuck on three bites per meal--which is totally frustrating from a psychological viewpoint.  At 3 bites I'm full--totally full, but I still want to eat more. I DON'T eat any more, but I WANT to eat more--my brain is telling me that I'm not full but my stomach has filled to capacity.  It just sucks.  I dread meals with family now.

S

I'm with you.  I can get about 3 or 4 bites in and I'm done for.  I'm nearly 7 weeks out and wondering if I'll ever be able to eat a small meal... I know it will take time though.  I truly think that some surgeons go harder on the size of the stomach than other surgeons, so maybe ours made our stomachs a wee bit smaller.  Some of the newly switched on here eat amounts of food I can only dream of, so it's the only explanation I can think of. 

Meanwhile I have to live with a partner who thinks it's hilarious that I can have 3 bites of food and be rolling around full, I almost shoved his chicken enchilada up his nose tonight during dinner.  Off to get my dinner now, a tiny piece of poached salmon cooked in butter *lol*.

 You're so funny.  You know, I'll hve to ask my surgeon how big he made the sleeve.  He specifically told me it woudln't be that small--and my friend who had him do it didn't seem to have all that much restriction from the start.  SO I still wonder if it's swelling or something.  But I seriously need to get more protein in--with you mentioning the salmon and all I'm starting to feel guilty.

S

Sher,

I ate an entire fish fillet today.....about the size of a deck of cards. Is that normal?? I thought I'd be full after 2-3 bites?!?

 Maybe you don't have that much swelling in your stomach.  THe surgeon said that we should be able to eat a "normal" sized small meal--more than the traditional sleeve patient.  I'm hoping I'll work up to that sooner rather than later.  Seriously, psychologically it's so strange to see myself fill up so fast but still "think" I'm hungry. 

Honestly, if you can eat it, it's all protein, and it's good for you, and you don't hurt afterwards, I wouldn't worry about it.  Now, if you said you ate a bagel or a bowl of pasta, that would be bad.  But to fill up on a fish fillet is healthy.  When did you first discover you could do this?

Sheri

Sher,

There are these Gordon's Grilled Fish Fillets that I used to love before surgery. This past weekend I was craving them so hubby got some for me. At first I couldn't fini**** but now it's effortless.

The only things I have been eating are protein. I would love a small salad (mozzeralla and tomato sounds just yummy) but I didn't know how soon I could eat a little greenery. I can get about 60 grams of protein a day.

I do think my swelling has gone down greatly. I no longer feel like I'm about to give birth to a thousand alien babies!



Edited to add: I can eat about 60 grams of protein a day without shakes....more with shakes

 You're a week ahead of me so I'm going to be seriously looking forward to having more room in my stomach.  Fortunately I don't feel bloated or full unless I'm eating (or attempting to eat).  I got in about 25 grams of protein today--so maybe I'll start doing what you're doing.  Give me a list of the foods you're eating to bring in that much protein.

S

Beth I know exactly the feeling you are talking about! Since being on soft foods i eat 4oz (maybe more) per meal. It does take me about 45mins to eat it all but if only ate 2oz at a time (rule from the NUT) id be eating every other hour.

I eat 8-9 med shrimp ****tail w/ 5 cubes of cheese. 2 ice cream scoops of pulled pork with less than 1 scoop of cole slaw. 1 ice cream scoop shredded chicken topped with cheese, greek yogurt, avocados and tomatoes. i can almost finish a 2 egg omelet with ham, cheese and topped with greek yogurt.

I never eat past feeling full and only eat til im satisfied. Ive not have a bloated, overly full feeling yet. (i know some get that feeling after only a few bites)

I just follow my rules...protein first and i dont stuff myself. My sleeve is 2oz so maybe its the amt of swelling one has:)...?

Wow, 2oz sleeve is pretty small!  I know my surgeon makes them kind of on the large side... 4-5oz.  I had some tomato soup last night and felt ungodly stuffed all night long.  I had 1/2 a cup, so it was probably pushing the limits.  It definitely wasn't fun, though.

Ok, I think I've figured it out. I think the "hollow" feeling is my "full" signal. Hubby and I went out to eat today, and after I ate about 4 oz of the chicken I started feeling "hollow". So I stopped eating. Sure enough, about 5-10 minutes later I felt "full". (Hubby says I'm not eating much...eating slowly and grazing according to him)

I'll keep an eye on it, but I think that's it. The foods I have been eating are very soft like fish, shrimp, and meats cooked for hours in the crock pot. Those fillets are very good because they don't have breading.

My hubby makes a smoked salmon that is to die for. I had parmesan crusted chicken at Longhorn Steakhouse today (about half of the breast) chewed very well (but it was tender to begin with). I want to try some chicken salad or ham salad.

I have been rolling up deli meat with cheese too. I have had bacon, but I haven't had any steak yet, I think unless it was prime rib it would be too tough right now.

My surgeon told me he was going to make my stomach 150 cc's which equals to 5 fl. oz (according to hubby). I feel like I eat more than that, but like I said, hubby said I eat more slowly than I realize.