The biggest realization that we have come to is that PORTION SIZE MATTERS. I would guess that about 90% of people are regularly overeating and they don't even realize it. It's not because they are "pigging out" necessarily but it is because of an ignorance of portion size. I about cried laughing when Krystal pulled out the little rubber piece of beef that was an ounce portion. It was minuscule compared to what is normally on my plate. When she held it out to us she said, "This is how much Jimmy's stomach will be able to hold right after surgery." Let me tell you that my jaw about dropped to the floor. I mean--come on--I knew that he wouldn't be able to eat a lot but this easily fit into the palm of my hand!
It was in that moment that I truly realized just how much I was overeating without even giving it a second thought. I know that Jimmy must have been thinking the same thing from the look on his face. So in addition, to setting some other realistic goals for ourselves--like not keeping chips or sweets in the house--we also decided to make a conscious effort to actually pay attention to the amount of food and the number of portions we were putting into our mouths.
Because PORTIONS DO MATTER!
Believe me...... people can tell you all the time how little he'll be able to eat, but until he actually experiences the fact that it take 90+ minutes to eat a couple ounces of broth the first few days after surgery or that even 6 months out a can of tuna is a full meal & keeps him full for a long time . . . it doesn't become real. :) I have gone through plenty of shocking eating situations as far as what I can eat since surgery! It's amazing & I'm grateful, but it's also VERY different!
ReplyDeleteAt this point real food seems REALLY far away because he won't be able to have normal solid foods until late Dec/early Jan depending on what his doctor says. So I am sure it is going to be a shock.
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