Portion - What is normal?

We all know that we can tolerate a certain amount of food and then we are full. That goes for everyone, including pre-ops. My question is to post-ops. I am now 6 months out and well, what the heck is considered normal now? When SHOULD we get full? I've figured, for me, I get full after 3 chicken wings. (Just a comparison, since I am sure we all have eaten a chicken wing or three) It just doesn't seem like a lot of food. I definitely get hungry, and I do find that I graze a lot. But if I don't eat for several hours and I am feeling very hungry and I go to eat - well, I get full after just a few bites. Now I seriously wonder - am I eating too little?? Tara

Ahh yes, the chicken wing question.......lol....it does make me laugh because for so long every day for lunch I'd bring in 3 chicken legs that I barbequed after marinating them in Italian Dressing. I'd eat 2 and be stuffed and save the 3rd for that 3pm slump. I think you are right on target. Don't worry, you are doing just fine. I looked at your pictures you posted last week and you look great! You have such a determined attitude that will make you a success! Happy New Year, happy new u Cheryl

Phew - okay you made me feel a lot better. Today, for lunch, I brought left-overs (basically everything is left-over and now that is all I eat) and my boss says "well that's about 3 meals right there". I laughed because, yep, it was about 3 meals for me. Thank you for the compliments. Now I just need to maintain the weight I am at, but I get scared sometimes that I am eating too little and screwin something up. Happy New Year to you too!!! Tara

Hey Tara, I wonder the same thing all the time. I'm five months out, and I cannot eat chix, but I don't know how much is a good amt, and how much is a bad amt! So I know what you mean. JA

This question is probably best for my dietician, huh? I want to be sure I am taking in a safe amount of calories. I will let ya know after my next visit what she says! Hugs, Tara

You know Tara, that's a good question. What is normal?? It seems we are prepared for preop and that short period post op.. but for a while now I've been like "now what?". It's good to hear you say 3 wings.. b/c that's my capacity right now.. 3 wings. Right after surgery, when I first began to tolerate chicken it was only 1 1/2 wings. Crazy huh?? Now, when it comes to mushier foods I can eat what seems to be a lot more than what 3 chicken wings equals.. but I suppose it's the whole getting fuller faster on protein thing. I kinda think it's cool right now.. the fact that I can only eat 3 Take care, Michelle

Exactly! Now what? Oh I know what you mean about the mushy foods. Eeep! But you know what - when I think about the portion size that used to be normal for me, it makes me cringe. Now I know how I got heavy. Right now, I eat most everything. I do stay away from sugars and candy. But I have eaten a white potato and I have eaten a few bites of bread. I didn't cut out carbs completely - just limited them. So now I know, after losing 90 pounds, it was most likely the portion size. I stuffed myself well! Tara