Question:
I skipped the pureed phrase and went to soft foods. Did I stretch my pouch by doing

this? I am a little over a month post op and have lost 26 lbs but that was lost in the liquid phase. After the full liquid phase I tried pureed for a day and couldn't stand it so I ate already mushy foods (oatmeal, mashed potatoes etc.), soft consistency foods and if not soft I chewed food down to mush before swallowing. I am concerned that I damaged/stretched my pouch because I'm not having any problems with eating a considerable amount of food and wondered if my skipping pureed is the reason. I ate 3/4 of a subway grilled chicken salad today (in a dish about the size of a regular dinner plate) and was only comfortably full when I decided to stop eating. I could have finished the whole thing...no problem. I've been able to eat food that had some grease in it (eg: oven baked salmon cakes, an hot wings), bread and rice without any discomfort or 'dumping'. I'm wondering if my egg sized pouch is really the size of a grapefruit? Generally I'm not eating as frequently as I should so when I do eat, my stomach has been empty for sometime so maybe that's why I can eat a good bit before feeling slightly full. I'm not doing well with meeting my 73g protein and 64 oz liquid requirement so I guess I'm impeding my own success. I can fix these things but my biggest concern is why am I able to eat so much (when most people can only eat a few mouth fulls of food at this point) and why am I able to tolerate greasy and/or fried foods without having any reactions like everyone else? I was relyingon having these negative reactions to help me get the weight off. Without them this was a waste of money (mine since I paid for it) pain and time. This is my last chance at getting the weight off once and for all.. Someone Please tell me there's hope!!    — newme2b (posted on September 4, 2005)

September 4, 2005
How long do your meals last and are you drinking with them? We go from 4 weeks clears to soft, much as you have done. We do not do milk or sugar, so we do not have a "full iquids" phase.
   — vitalady

September 4, 2005
My surgeon had me on a full liquid diet for 4 weeks and then regular food. I never did the pureed, soft, etc. Some of us are "lucky" and avoid dumping which makes it very easy for us to eat the things that we shouldn't. I'm one of them. You say you only felt comfortably full when you stopped eating . . . are you measuring? You, like many others with weight problems, have learned to NOT listen to your body telling you to stop eating. Now, you have to learn it again. Measure your food . . . 1 cup max. Eat it and wait for 10 minutes or so. If you still truly feel hungry, measure out 1/2 cup more and eat it. Then, no more for a time. Make sure each meal has protein in it . . . from my own experience (and you are early enough to change this) don't eat the breads and rices! If you feel you have to have some carbs other than veggies, make sure it is whole grain. NO WHITE STUFF at all! Brown rice or wild rice, bread where you can see the grains or seeds still whole. I have no problem whatsoever with fats (and there are many out there who don't) and don't worry a lot about them. Fats are necessary to your body for skin, hair, and nail condition. They can also help you feel full. Don't drink with your meals. If you must, then only a sip or two. I know someone who sets a timer and eats a very small amount (1/2 cup at the most) every 2 hours! That might be an idea. No, the absence of negative reactions is not a waste of money, pain and time. It only means that you get to work a little harder than some have to. I know several successful, long-term post ops who don't have the negative reactions either. It can be done!! Just a little more work!! You can do it! Also, don't compare yourself to others. We are all different and this surgery is not a "one size fits all" type of thing. Everyone reacts differently to it. Carmen
   — kccjer

September 4, 2005
You have to start a routine NOW & stick to it no more than 3 meals a day (small Meals) No snacking Measure your food. drink at least 64 oz. of water or other liquid preferrably non caffenated. Make you meals mostly protien stay away from the carbs. You will feel fuller from protien than any other food. Stay away from sugar & white starches. I am a year & half out & still don't eat very much bread or starch potatoes once in awhile & thats it. Very little bread at all. Its a waste of space & time. Make changes now & this will work. If you don't make the changes chance are when your Honeymoon phase is over you will gain weight back. Good luck & just remember you have lost 26 lbs in a month when have you ever done that in the past. You body is catching up, so it is just a small let down & you will continue to lose. You have to measure your food & stop when it is gone. do not keep eating. Tha will hurt down the road more than anything. Good Luck in your quest. You will be fine MARILYN, THE BEARLADY
   — Marilyn C.

September 5, 2005
I think you need to check in with your bariatric dr and "come clean" about your recent eating habits. I'm 3 weeks post-op and my dr/dietician have a carefully orchestrated eating plan for post-ops...clear liquids 1st week, then semi-soft proteins for the first month and each month foods are gradually added in as they tell me what I can have. All meals require a 20 minute timer where we are told to register time and not quantity but it's usually about 2 tablespoons still at this point. We focus on "mindful eating" during those 20 minutes--no rushing. It's almost like atkins in a way--protein and fluids focus with NO carbs or foods NOT on the list. Carbs and some of the other foods you are eating are defeating your weight loss. Your new stomach is still healing for the first 4-6 weeks. I don't have an apetitite or hunger...some cravings yes....but I don't go off my food plan. I want and need this to work for me. I think there is still time for you to get on track but you need to talk with your doctor and perhaps join a local support group. I'm blessed since my dr has a complete program with support both pre/post op...with a dietician, exercise gal, therapist and dr all available anytime I need plus with regular followup. Good Luck!
   — Do-over Girl

September 5, 2005
I did the same as you and I had the same worries. Now I am 5 months out of surgerya nd down 85lbs. However, I never eat potatoes, rice, breads or sweets (simply for the fact that they make me crave more...). I stay away from greasy foods as well, I do not dump either. The protien and water requirements are there to help you with your cravings. You have to eat them or you will always be hungry. You have to get your eating under control because we are not very good at listening to when we are full. The other posters advice is very good. I just wanted to let you know you haven't 'wrecked' anything....just be careful and you will do fine.
   — bettya

September 5, 2005
Rosalind, doctors make the pouches different sizes. YOu should ask your doctor what size yours is and tell him or her that you do not feel full. also, talk to a dietician. I am eight months post-op and still can only eat two meals a day, about two ounces each. I also am supposed to eat only whole grain breads and not much white stuff. You should eat protein first. when you have a sandwich, you are not eating protein first. I had trouble figuring out when i was full, too. My dietician kept insisting that I should be eating three meals a day plus protein shakes, plus 64 ounces of water, and when I did, I got sick. Now I eat two meals about two ounces each time, a protein shake that gives me 60 g of protein in six ounces, and over 70 oz of water every day. You have to find out what is right for you.
   — Novashannon

September 5, 2005
I doubt that you have damaged or stretched your pouch. It seems every Dr has a different protocol when it comes to diet after WLS. I was on soft foods (eggs, jello, refried beans, mashed potatoes) for one week after surgery and then released from all diet restrictions. Like you I ate a salad about a month post-op and freaked out because I practically ate the whole thing. I asked my Dr about it and he said not to worry because lettuce is mostly water. It doesn't take up much room and tends to flush thru the pouch fairly quickly. If I were you, I would come clean with your Dr about your worries and concerns. I think they are very normal fears but maybe hearing it from him/her would help. EVERY new post-op thinks they are eating too much and that this surgery is going to fail for them. And just so you know, I really tested my limits during the first 2 mos as a post-op (eating candy, rice, bread, diet Dr. Pepper). In my 3rd month I got serious about protein and water and the weight fell off at about 10 lbs a month until I was done which was around 10 mos post-op. The best advise I can give is to take full advantage of the honeymoon period (first 6 mos) because it definitely becomes more difficult after that. Best of luck to you! ~Michelle :)
   — Michelle_S

September 6, 2005
There's hope if you understand what the surgery is and is not designed to do, and refashion your eating habits around that. There's not much hope if you expect the surgery to save you from yourself. It's not about whether your pouch is too big, or how your body is refusing to make you sick in order to save you from yourself. It's about learning how to use the tools you've been given. Small, frequent, protein-dense meals are the way to go. If that doesn't work, try something else (protein shakes and small meals, not together of course). I've never once been sick because of my WLS - no dumping, no hurling -- and I made goal, but it was only because I started out following all the rules that you've tested or ignored, and then modified them as time went on to try to maximize the tools the surgery gave me. When I don't do that, I regain, but that's not the surgery's fault, it's mine.
   — Suzy C.

September 7, 2005
I didn't do a pureed stage either. You need to start making good food choices. Protein first (this doesn't include salad). Stop eating the fried foods just because you CAN eat them doesn't mean you SHOULD. Also, stop weighing yourself on different scales. Pick one and use it... preferable the same time of day weekly.
   — SJP

September 7, 2005
Here's the bottom line- you're NOT following the apropriate eating and drinking guidelines. You need to get with your surgeon and come clean about what you've been doing, so you can be checked. YOU have to change your habits. Just because your surgeon gave you a tool for weightloss doesn't mean you can now just expect to loose weight and not have to follow any rules. It sounds as though, seriously- harsh though it may be- you have serious compliance issues and also should be speaking with a counselor about why you choose not to comply. You sound like you would like to loose weight, but you don't sound like you're willing to do the tough work and suffering necessary in the long term. so, I repeat: GET WITH YOUR SURGEON. TALK TO A COUNSELOR. Good luck to you.
   — LMCLILLY

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