Nervous That I've Already Screwed Up?!?!

I need your advice & help...

I am only 3 weeks post-op (today I am starting my 4th week), and according to the "Barix Bible" (Barix is where I had my RNY done, and the "Barix Bible" is what the Ntritionist gives us to follow), I should still be on pureed foods at this point.  Unfortunately, I gag sometimes when I eat pureed stuff, so I've just been chewing the heck out of everything I can't puree (I chew until it's really small, watery, and super soft).

That being said, I've eaten a few bites of some medium-rare steak, cherries, watermelon, pasta dishes, eggs, whole wheat toast with peanut butter, some peach, and no-sugar added ice cream cones, and I've had absolutely no problems getting anything down.

Not to mention, it doesn't seem like I need to take small bites or sip my beverages, and I can already eat about 1 cup of food (maybe more).  Nothing seems to be getting "stuck".  I never feel like I need to vomit, and I nothing has made me dump yet either.  I have had the full feeling often though, and I'm never really hungry (just "head hunger" to deal with).

~ Should this be concerning?
~ Is it possible that I've already stretched my pouch out to hold too much food?
~ Could the surgeon have made the opening or pouch too big?
~ Are the nerve endings still healing?
~ Could I be causing myself damage by not eating pureed foods?

Thanks.

At 3 weeks be really careful.  You could give yourself a leak by stuffing your pouch.  You should only be eating 1/4 cup or less at a time right now.  You will have no full feeling for some time. 

Hi Sara,

It sounds like were in the same boat.  I am about 3 weeks and 2 days out and I feel like you.  I talked to a couple of people who had their surgery around the same time as me and they expressed the same concerns.  I did not have my surgery at barix and neither did they.  One thing I have heard from various people is that some days you can eat more than other days.  But I don't think you have stretched your pouch.  It takes a lot of time to do that.  But, do be careful because it is still healing and like the other person said you don't want to over stuff it and possibly spring a leak.  But I think you will be fine, just keep up the good work.  If you are eating that much be sure that you are doing over a long period of time.  My doc said that the food stays in you pouch from 5 to 7 mins depending on the density.  So keep this in mind when you are eating.  I think the pouch should hold maybe an ounce or a little more depending on the doc.  Remember by the time you chew that food it is not as much in volume as it was when you originally put it in you mouth so it may appear that you are eating more than you really are.  Especially fruit, they contain so much water that passes through you pouch pretty fast.  But the bottom line is, ask your doctor and he/she can definetly tell you what's up.  I hope all is well and take care until next time.

I'm 8 weeks out and depending on what I'm having, I can hold very little or alot. Not a whole cup, unless we are talking about warm soup. I sip slowly tough and set a kitchen timer for 30 minutes so that I can see how long it's taking me. this helps me to slow down. I was chewing things up too at about 3 weeks out. Im not sure that It was steak but it was softer cooked foods. My pouch doesn't like eggs or chicken so these are the exception. Other than that, I only get sick if I eat too fast or too much.  Don't pu**** tough. If you spring a leak, you will really regret it. From what I was told, our pouch is about the size of an egg. I usually get full with about 2 bites of something. I wait and then I might be able to handle another bite. It just really depends on what Im having though.

 

Be careful!