People are welcome to dispute but I have never heard feeding any snake 1.5 to 2 times the widest part of the snake. Usually its the same size or a bit bigger.

I have found that live mice look bigger because the fur is poofy and frozen animals seem smaller because the fur is matted and frozen.

So my guess is your snake was exploratory because he was hungry and out hunting, so after the size change it was full and settled down to digest.

I can't offer any advice on frequency other than my 26" one eats about once a week she is eating a rat pup or ex breeder mouse.