Staple line disruption???????

Hi there! My surgery was June 18 and I've lost 55 lbs to date -- 13 lbs pre op and 42 lbs post op. I've shrunk from a size 22 to a size 16 but all that said -- I plan to ask my surgeon to do a scope on me at my next appointment a week from tomorrow. Twice in the last week, I have been able to eat too much food at one sitting -- one meal I was able to eat a 3 oz piece of liver and onions (which I had done before) but I was also able to eat a side of cottage cheese and a side of broccoli -- prior to last week, I had to take the sides home in a doggie bag. The next night, I was able to eat 6 oz. of salmon and a normal size O'Charley's side salad. When I asked a friend in NY who is 2 and a half years out if this was normal, she said, "No, not 10 weeks post op!" she went on to say she might be able to eat that much at one time now but not 10 weeks after surgery. I had an open gastric bypass surgery and my friend felt strongly that my surgeon should "transect" the unused portion of my stomach but when I asked my surgeon about this -- he said he didn't believe in transecting the remaining stomach and had never experienced a staple line disruption in the 1200 surgeries he has performed. Has anyone else experienced this situation? Laurel

Hi Laurel, Not sure what is going on, but I will be 10 weeks post op tomorrow and I am lucky if I can consume 4 oz (1/2 cup) total at any given meal, and I'm still on stage II due to a stricture. When I start eating real solid food that total may drop back down to 2-3 oz. I don't think a staple line disruption would cause this as you would be in serious trouble if it occurred (your food would go directly into your abdominal cavity). You need to ask your surgeon what size pouch he gave you. My surgeon makes the pouch able to hold only 2 oz of food, which hopefully by the end of a year may have the capacity for a total of 8 oz. I think being able to eat 6 oz of salmon and a salad is way too much capacity. Please see your surgeon as soon as possible. Good luck, and by the way your weight loss is very good, even with your capacity to eat more. Sounds like you are putting just good food in there, so that's a big plus for you. Take care. Debra 239/193/125

HEY LAUREL.... well i will say as i have said before on replies. I have hunger and my apetite is all over the place. SOME Meals i eat more then others. SOMETIMES i can have 4 ounces and others more. I eat till im full....( i know a problem for me is i eat to fast). I dont dwell on it cause i am looseing YOUR loss progress seems fine so i dont see the need to concern. RELAX and enjoy your new weight loss tool. LISA 310/226/onederland

Hi Laurel When I went to th OH convention in Cincy, there was only 1 surgeon there who does not transect the stomach. I didn't have a disruption, but I know it can happen. When it does happen, the stomach is trying to "heal" itself. Now having said that, what I can eat varies by the time of day, type of food, and how much I drank before. So, until you get in to see your doc, box up the food you shouldn't be able to eat first. Hope things go well for you. Sharyn -52

Hi Laurel, My surgery was a month earlier than yours. Depending on the type of foods we eat we can hold more or less. Mushy foods like oatmeal or mashed potatoes or soft cooked veggies are easy to eat more of... while dense foods like the liver or beef or chicken, we may only have room for a little. I've discovered that lettuce chews up to a very small volume so surprisingly I can eat alot more salad than I thought. From day to day the amount we can eat changes too. It is sure a learning process isn't it? Congratulations on your great weight loss. Good for you! M.

Hi there! Thanks for all the feedback -- I will definitely find out the pouch size I was given and I'll see what my surgeon says when I see him next Tuesday! A friend of mine believes that staple line disruption would cause pain and I've had no pain. Does anyone agree or disagree? I'll keep you posted on what my surgeon says! Thanks again! Laurel