Scared..am I normal??

had my surgery (open ryn) march 8, and the first week was horrible, but since my surgery, I have never thrown up or dumped...but...now, 2 weeks out, It seems that that may not be such a good thing, I feel like I can eat anything, I haven't but, food smells so darn good to me, I am eating cottage cheese like there would be no tomorrow, along with some can peaches... cream of wheat, canned soup, (mixed with whole milk) cause at the time, thats all I had... seems like nothing makes me sick, and I am scared that later, next month?, that I will not have the will power to eat just what I am suppose to eat...its hard for me to tell when I am hungry, and I think I know when I am full.. just scared that I am doing all of this wrong...Help?? I try and do what the doctor suggests to me, but he's not here smelling all the good food...porkchops, popcorn..ect.ect.. I chewed a tiny piece of pork chop sunday, and was going to spit it out, but swollowed it, scared me, but nothing happened...won't do that again... I just want to know if anyone else here is having the same scared feelings...I don't want to be the only one.. I feel like I am different?? help?? thanks Linda

Linda, I've heard that a lot of people don't dump but don't worry. Just stick to your food plan and you'll be fine. I assure you, you won't be able to eat so much that you'll not lose weight. Even if you had a piece of pork that won't kill you. Just be careful to wait until you're allowed to have that.

Puleez, girl, you gotta know we are all like this!!!! Now, seriously, I was worried too and I have the sense of smell of a blood hound. I think the body must be convinced it is starving to death on some level and trying to trick me to seek food. I had the same reaction on Optifast. You must eat the amounts prescribed or you could stretch your pouch. Also, when you go to solids, you eat protein first and it is WAY different from the soft foods. You fill up quickly. Remember your stomach is the size of a shot glass. If you overeat protein, you will be sick as a dog and throw up. Trust me, you will, it has already happened to me (I think I ate 2 oz rather than 1 1/2, I am not kidding!!!!) I'm assuming you know what to do (i.e., that with soft foods, it's like 1/2 c. something with 1/4 c. something else and maybe 1/4 c. something else). You need to protect yourself from food triggers, so get some measuring cups and small dishes. Measure out your portion and put everything else back in the frig IMMEDIATELY. Go sit at a table and take 1/2 hour to eat this. Do not drink anything, as it washes the food out of the pouch. Do not drink for 1 hour after. Leave the dishes for someone else. If you live by yoruself, put them in the sink and leave them until you prepare the next room. NOW, you are no longer allowed in the kitchen. Go do something else AWAY FROM THE KITCHEN. Protect yourself from other food cues, such as television. If you have to, until you are stronger (just try it for a week), don't eat with the family or go into situations where food is around. You *will* feel stronger and that will not be forever. I have found it helpful that a lot of things are coming in small containers, such as splenda youghurst, nonfat cottage cheese, and so on. Popcorn, if you ate it, would cause a blockage and you might have to have further surgery. Ditto rice, because it expands, or anything fibrous. Does your hospital have a support group? It sounds like it would be a good idea. You'll be GREAT, just wait for those pounds to come off and support yourself by doing what you need to do. It's showing love for yourself.

Hi Gano, Actually, I read that popcorn was well-tolerated and I have had several snacks of popcorn post-op. I had no problem whatsoever. I made sure to chew thoroughly and didn't eat any unpopped kernels. I'm largely going by the Barbara Thompson book and remembering that the opening from the new stomach to the intestines is about the size of an index finger. That's what I use to guide me in terms of swallowing - especially pills. (My fingers are actually kind of small so I'm generously underestimating for the width of the opening.) Just my experience, Eve

Hi Linda, I, too, am able to eat anything with no problem. I've had the same fears you have. I know that we can snack our way to failure. But right now I'm not too concerned because physically, we really CAN'T overeat. My feeling is that once I'm completely up and around and able to exercise without pain, things will fall more into place. I think I'll be energized by the initial weight loss and will monitor myself more closely. Keeping a food log is really key, and I admit I haven't been doing it. It seems like such a hassle, but in the past, the only times I've been successful at losing weight is by keeping a detailed exercise and food journal. I bet if you wrote down what you eat, you'd see that you're really not getting in as many calories as you think. Right now it's tough because we have to eat so many small meals a day just to get anything at all in. I think that's what makes me feel like I'm snacking a lot. It's just because everything is a snack at this point! You're not different, don't worry! This is a period of major adjustment and I've just decided I'm going to ease up on myself and get all healed and then go from there. -Eve

I think you're normal. I'm having the same thoughts. I felt like I cheated the first post op week by taking in more than my Dr's prescribed 4 oz max of liquids. I was just SO thirsty. I wonder if I may have stretched something. Now I'm on pureed foods. I had 2 oz of scrambled egg this a.m. I quit eating it because it wasn't what I really wanted to eat - I didn't quit eating because I was full. 4 hours later, I'm starving (stomach growling). I'm slowly eating cottage cheese w/ peaches. I just think I could eat more than the 2 oz. I'm so afraid that I'm going to be the one who doesn't succeed with this surgery. I had a grande latte at Starbuck's a little while ago while I shopped at Target. Finished the whole thing - no problem. I'm on unlimited liquids now, but still feel like I could go over the edge. I don't feel any different - my stomach doesn't feel smaller to me. I was thinking it would be so obvious. Maybe I just haven't pushed it to its limit yet. Don't want to suffer the consequences, but I want to know SOMETHING was done to me. I mean, I have a sexy scar down my middle - I hope that wasn't for nothing!! Hang in there - I'm in the same boat as you. We'll get through it just fine I'm sure! I'm here if you need to vent!! -Wendy ;o)

This is the common fear of everyone I think going into this...we have all failed at every other attempt and weren't we all SURE that "this time I won't gain it back?" Personally, I am not surprised I had dumping immediately and diarrhea...as I have had a sensitive system my whole life. I know people including my own daughter who have NEVER vomited in their whole lives! That is why, luckily, I don't drink alcohol anymore...a good thing but it was because everytime I did, I had fun for awhile with everyone else and then I spent the night throwing up in the bathroom. So, I am glad for my sake that I am "scared" to try too much....but like Rob said...I don't think you're cheating is enough to keep that first year losing from happening. Good luck.