CAN SOMEONE HELP ME...PLEASE

Maria, I'm just sitting here in shock with what I'm reading. I'm not exactly sure how much information you were given ahead of time or if you are just ignoring instructions but the things that you are doing are not okay. Most of us have different doctors and our plans vary a bit, but I can say with confidence that there aren't any doctors who say we can eat chocolate right after surgery. I'm almost 6 months out and I don't want to even go near it. I'm not trying to be mean in what I'm saying, I'm just really concerned for you. This surgery is a serious thing and nothing to fool around with. The reason I had this surgery was to get healthier, lose weight, and began a NEW way of life. I didn't have this surgery to be able to eat all the same crap and stay skinny. It just doesn't work that way for most of us. As you get further out, you can eat different things. In my opinion, you are way to early to be eating anything of real substance. You are hurting yourself. You can end up back in the hospital and VERY sick. This can kill you. You've got to take this seriously. My advice is to get back to basics. When I was at your time, I ate nothing but eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, popsicles, pudding, and maybe canned/pouched tuna/chicken/salmon. That's it. Your poor body has just been through the ringer and it needs time to heal. I doubt you've popped your stomach, but if you keep eating the things you have mentioned already, you will stretch your stomach back out or even worse things can happen. You are doing the right thing by writing here. Again, I'm not trying to be mean, I just hope you realize the severity of your actions. Find a local support group. There are plenty around here in Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads area. Praying for you, Amber

Hi Amber. And thanks I know your not trying to be mean. And belive me am back to the basics. yogurt, cottage cheese , popsicles, pudding, soup, etc....am just going to do what the doc tells me to do and don't try nothing until am told to. but is it ok to sleep on my tummy even though it don't hurt me? that would make my tummy pop would it. an as far as eating choc I just try it to see if I would get sick. an when I didn't I was more mad then anything saying to my self. did this surgury work. an I didn't really get alot of info on this. I didn't know my doc was ret until 1 week from my surgury date. so it's like all the info that I get is from on here. and I will be looking for a support group in my area. thanks again for all ya'll help. take care Maria

That's sad, Maria. I'm sorry to hear that. I know there is one in Virginia Beach on Thursdays (Christine can you give her the info???) and I go to one in Suffolk on the 2nd Thursday of every month. I have no idea if sleeping on your stomach will make your stomach pop. Logically that sounds impossible, but I am not a doctor. I had to sleep on my back for at least a week because it hurt to much to try anything else. Slowly over the next week I tried to sleep on my side with a pillow propped next to me. Eventually I could do that for a little while on one side, then the other. I don't think I was sleeping on my stomach for a month. And as far as the chocolate things go, from what I've read, usually 70% of people don't actually dump with sugar, it just makes them feel bad or sleepy. I am one of that 70%. I've had a few things that I know weren't good for me and not made with Splenda like everything else I try and it puts me into a "coma" state. I just feel bad and get very sleepy. Nothing I really like. You slowly learn what you can or can't do. If you are concerned about popping your stomach by sleeping on it, just stop sleeping on your stomach. Sleep on your back or sides with a pillow. Whatever it takes. Keep up the good work, you'll get there. Amber

One BIG rule--and it is a LIFE CHANGE rule--NO sugar ( including chocolates), NO bread, NO rice, NO pasta). So, no chips! no spaghetti, no pizza, no rolls etc....In one year I have had mashed potatoes at the two holidays ONLY. I have not had pizza even once. Had spaghetti once and vomitted. When you get the urge to graze, drink protein, or have yogurt--NO SUGAR yogurt. Drink and sip right now. You REALLY need to take advantage of the support groups in your area since it appears your doctor has not provided you with this, which is very sad. My doctor provides each patient with a book that MUST be read before surgery. It answers all the questions you have had. PLEASE go to your support group in Tidewater to keep yourself on the right track. Hugs, Lois

Thank Lois...And see you said you only had mashed potatoes 2 times an that was the holidays. well that's was one of the item's I could eat right after my surgury was mashed potatoes. with a little bite graveing to make is more soupie..I don't kown. but I am going to do what they tell me to do. an if I feel like grazeing I will drink my water or portein drinks.. but I wanted to thank everyone for all ya'll help. take care maria

Maria okay, I'm going to be very blunt here. You need to quit messing around. First, get the idea out of your head about popping your tummy. What is that about??? Just stop that. You had the surgery, huge success, you're losing weight like you should, not just get yourself on the program. Maria, I've told you before, I feel bad that you didn't really investigate this surgery enough to be comfortable with what is happening to you. I am not trying to be rude to you, I hope you know that. It's just that this is scary for all of us, even under the best of conditions that is of knowing as much as we know. I know that you are playing catch up on information, but just do what the doctor tells you, eat what you're supposed to eat, drink the water, the protein. And you know what Maria, it's true -- dammmmmm, you go girl!! Now relax, follow the program, don't worry about some silly thought of popping your stomach, and just enjoy the fact that you are getting thinner. Happy New Year to you Maria. And please know that this post is sent with all the loving support I can give you! I just want you to enjoy this process you are going through. It's happening girl, you are doing it, you are losing weight! Now calm down. Oh, and definitely follow Lois's advice of no-no's!! Don't even try sugar!! love donna

Thank you Donna...THANK ;YOU ALL..AM GOING TO DO WITH THE DOC TOLD ME..AN BELIVE ME NOMORE SUGER OR CANDY OR CHIPS ETC...I WAITED 1 1/2YR FOR THIS SURGURY TO MESS IT UP...THANKS AGAIN YA'LL AN DONNA I THINK I POP MY TUMMY BECAUSE I CAN EAT MORE THAT'S ALL. BUT AM NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT ME POP MY TUMMY ANY MORE AN JUST DO WHAT THE DOC SAID AN EAT WHAT AM SUPPOSE TO EAT..THANKS AN GOD BLESS.....MARIA

Hi Maria, one thing I wanted to mention to you is about the chips. I know that with chips you can really chew them up to almost mush, and therefore eat more of them. Which is not good! But if you are eating chips - well stop right now-- but if you are, or did, and you seemed to eat a lot, it is because they were basically pureed and of course that kind of soft food is real easy to eat (but don't do it!!). But one other thing Maria, is to actually start logging what you are eating and see exactly how much it is. Measure what you eat. I'll bet it's not as much as you think you're eating. Okay Maria, I think you've gotten the point here from everyone so sit back and let it happen. You are going to be handing out advice before long!! Happy New Year Maria, donna

Maria, I think that everyone has already addressed the dos and donts of the food but I would like to recommend that you go see a therapist. You have some serious issues with food going on in your head (of course we all do but at this point yours are threatening to spoil your success). I began going to a therapist about 6 months before surgery and am still going 6 months later. It has really helped me to deal with a lot of my issues (even those that seem non food related somehow end up linking back to food and the way I treat it). As far as eating too much, I have days when I'm like, wow, I ate a lot today but when I look back, I may have eaten several different things but usually it was a bite of this and a bite of that. I also have days where I take one bite and feel like I have eaten a 10 course meal. I think that has to do with the density of what you are eating. Like Donna said, if you chew potato chips really well, they go down like mush (although the grease may leave you feeling like crap, you may be able to get a lot in before that happens) and you will be able to eat a lot before you feel full. Good luck to you and I hope that you take the advice that has been given to you here on the board. By the way, there is a support group in VA Beach at Beach General Hospital in the Education Building. It is the first Tuesday of the month (next one is Jan 2nd) from 7-9 pm. This is run by a nutritionist so it may be the perfect place for you to get back on track. Christine