stoma issue

I'm concerned I don't seem to have any problem eating anything. yes i do push the limits. some times I feel just a little sick after i eat something that i shouldn't but have never dumped as to the way it was told to me that we would. The amount I am able to eat is only somewhat limited about a 1-2 cups depending on what it is. I know that this is way to much and wonder if my pouch is just to big or if my stoma is way to big. I have lost 43 pounds but don't feel that with the amount I can eat that this will last or go much farther. I am so afraid to talk to my surgen he did my surgery telling me that he didn't think I was a real good canadite and it was against his better judgement. I don't go back to see him till May. Do I wait and talk to him then or should I call him now and tell him what is going on and that I am concerned? I so want this to work and am following all the rules that I was given, except for the amounts and I am still keeping cals. below 700, but hungery all the time. 01/31/05----383/343/175

Probably your stoma as opposed to the pouch...with a large stoma..the pouch is sort of bypassed by food and everything goes right into the intestine. The stoma usually shrinks after surgery..but in some folks it does not....it is not your fault or the Doc's fault..it is the luck of the draw. I have read that most Docs won't do anything about it...but a few people have had lap bands placed around their stoma to provide restriction. If you have an oppositional relationship with your Doc, I don't envy you. The malabsorption will last 12 to 18 months providing some loss...getting an endoscopy is the only way to know for sure about the stoma. I don't know if I have a large stoma or not...but I know I have always been able to eat more than a few bites from about 2 weeks out...I do measure my food..but I have never been one of those who is stuffed on 2 ounces from day 1...I wonder about myself as well. I have not eaten sweets or "bad" foods....In my case..no matter what it is..this is it...I can't afford to be cut on anymore, or take the time from work...now it is up to me...back to the old diet and exercise and just plain getting the eating disorder under control...which is where it would end up eventually anyway. No matter what..the old large stomach is out of the picture....so there is technically nothing there to give us real hunger pangs. You might try sticking to denser foods..like turkey breast...beef and raw vegetables..(salad).....and see if that fills you more. The softer foods just go right through...and that is true of EVERYONE. Post ops a year or 2 out can eat the amount of food you can eat now. Remember that chewed food takes less space than what you look at on a plate or in a cup. You might also try having 4 or 5 small meals and see if that helps with the hunger situation. No matter what, choice is everything....2 cups of salad beats 2 cups of real ice cream and cake...everyone will not dump ...that's a known fact. I hit periodic worry pockets since surgery...they pass and then I lose more weight. I hoope it is the same for you. I know for myself that I am terrified at the thought of failure after risking my life to have surgery. Anyhoo..let's just keep our fingers crossed... Sher' 272/228/???

What type of diet are you following right now? Are you completely on regular foods? Pureed? Jen

I'm completely on regular food and nothing makes me sick or dump. Just get a to full feeling for a chort time if I eat to much or to fast. Goes away in about 15 minutes.

See your Doc and ask to get scoped..that will answer you definitively. Sher'