HELP!!

Dave had his staples out on Tuesday and the Dr. said that he can eat some soft foods, pasta, etc. The problem is that Dave is really worried that he is eating too much at his calorie intakes. The Dr. said that he wouldn't even be able to eat an egg, but he can eat about 3/4 cup of mashed potatoes, or pasta ,etc. He is very scared that he is eating too much and that his stomach is stretched because he can take in that much... Any comments or advice will be welcome - he is really upset this eveneing because he ate about 1/3 cup of a pasta dish - and he felt like he could eat more. He didn't but he felt like he could - anyone have any advice?

Did Dave`s doctor give him any eating guidelines? I am assuming he had the VBG. I know my surgeon told us to stay away from potatoes,pasta, bread,rice, basically anything white. Carbs in other words. Because our stomachs are so small we need to get in our protein first. It is easier to eat the soft foods. We were told to eat an egg for breakfast, for lunch and dinner, I ate the meat part of whatever we were having. Sometimes, I would cook a Lean Cuisine for myself and just eat the meat portion. For snack, I would have a 2 oz jar of baby food meat mixed with applesauce. That was`nt my dr suggestion. That was what I wanted to do. I had a really hard time keeping meat down. Also, at that time, my surgeon did`nt want us on the protein drinks. But I see on here a lot of people have used them successfully. I was able to lose 113 lbs in 9 months. Just following the protein, water, and exercise rules. I bet Dave can`t eat as much solid food as he thinks. He should follow what his doctors rules are and hang in there. It does get better. Keep us posted.

HI TARYN!!! I HAD SURGERY WITH DR. WEAVER ON 4/19. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT EATING TOO MUCH WHEN STARTING SOFT FOODS, BUT DR. WEAVER TOLD ME THAT EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT AND WHEN I WOULD GET TO REGULAR FOODS I WOULD SEE A DIFFERENCE. SO DO NOT WORRY, I STILL EAT MORE THAN OTHERS THAT HAD SURGERY AROUND THE SAME TIME. BUT I STILL DO NOT EAT A THIRD OF WHAT I USED TO. HOPE THIS HELPS. KELLY

Hi Tayrn, Everyone else that replied is right on target. Soft foods sit in the pouch easier than "hard" foods that you have to chew so you can basically eat more volume of soft vs hard foods. Soft foods are always a good choice for me when I am eating out at a restaurant or at a friends, etc. I can eat a scrambled egg with a slice of cheese melted on top. Sometimes I can finish the whole egg and sometimes I can only finish part of the egg. I have heard people say that it makes a difference how much one can eat based on how much water they have been drinking. They say it has something to do with how lubricated the pouch is. I don't know that I have noticed this or not, I just know that some days I am surprised by how much more I can eat than other days. They also say that whether your pouch is 6 oz or 9 oz or 11 oz does not effect the end weight loss. Is it true? Who knows but it sounds logical to me. I personally believe for myself that the key to staying successful is staying away from sugar based foods and continuing to move/exercise. And yes, I can relate to Dave's feeling of having stretched out the pouch. I have moments when I eat to much and worry that I am causing damage. Dave is going through his learning phases with his new pouch (stomach). Each phase that he goes through will teach him new things about his pouch and its tolerances. It is certainly a "trial and error" type of lesson. I know what doesn't work today based on that trial and error system. I know what will make me feel bad if I eat it. I know what the "safe" foods are for me to eat when I go out. Right now Dave is not only learning what/how and when to eat, he is also going through the mental challenge of changing his relationship with food. I know for me that was a hard coarse of action. It took a long time for me to find "replacements" for food. I was struggling with obsessing over food at 2 months out. I needed to find something in my life that I could derive comfort from. For me it became coffee with non-dairy creamer and sugarless sugar. Other people might find exercise comforting or a hobby or craft or tea or whatever. It's funny how now I understand that I wasn't just changing my relationship with food... I was really changing my WHOLE life, I just didn't know it. For me personally I didn't just choose to have WLS -- I was really choosing to LIVE again. But the bonus is it ALL FEELS GOOD! WLS has proven to be very powerful in my life. Today I am grateful. My last thought is that if there is a support group near you that you both go. I have found that giving support to others gives support to me as well. It is very therapeutic for me to share my experiences with you all. And above all else -- Call your surgeon when you are in doubt of anything -- please be safe and never sorry! Best Regards and Good Luck to you both! Sharon -113#