One year out...changes

Ok, first, I cannot believe in 27 days it will be my one year anniversary since my RNY.  I am amazed at how far I have come, and at the same time, I am terrified of what lies ahead.  I am wondering, for those of you who are close to the year mark, or have passed that year mark, how did you handle it?  For example, I am able to eat more at a sitting than I was before and it scares me.  Also, it used to be a struggle to drink all my water.  Now I can down water like nothing, and I worry....Am I stretching out the pouch?  For the longest time I could only eat half a cup of food at a time, about 6 months in.  Then out of no where the last few months, its like a cup and a half before I get the full feeling.  Then I stress...have I ruined my tool???

So, please, share your thoughts, your feelings and your struggles that you faced at this point.  It helps me and probably others so much to know that we arent the only ones who have these feelings.  Thanks for listening!!  :)

Try typing into your browser 5 Day Pouch test.  It's basically 5 days of clear and full liquids.  I have never tried it but I have heard from others that it works very well.  It sort of retunes your pouch.

As far as I know, water itself will not ruin your pouch, but overeating sure will.  Somebody pointed out to me that we shouldn't eat until we are full, we should only eat until we are not hungry anymore.  It didn't make any sense to me until I tried it.  They perform the surgery on our stomachs, not our brains and this is the time when you have to have your "head in the game."  I particpate with Overeaters Anonymous online and am also paying for a life coach. I don't ever want to go back to the way I was.

Good luck and keep posting.  Sometimes it helps to just vent.

Colleen

Congrats on making to one year! I have same worries.. but my Dr assured me I was ok.. esp when the foods I could eat more of are soups and soft foods.. and at 1yr mark I should be eating 1 cup of food at a sitting.. and to not be shocked that I can eat more at 6 months out either.. that I should be at 1/2 cup by then.. I got worried recently.. I was able to eat more at a sitting and then thought.. wait Im 3 months out now.. DUH.. LOL.. and I am able to drink my shakes in less than hour.. even in 30 mins.. but I did not over stretch my pouch,, I can only eat certain foods more than others.. but I do not eat til I am stuffed or full.. like Collen said.. I eat til not hungry any more..and sometimes I can not eat as instructed and I still rely on shakes for protein.. but I am trying.. and I am curious about teh 5 day test mentioned.. but I wont try til 1 year out.. oh and I was informed by my surgeon and NUT that our pouches can not stretch out like our whole stomach used to.. since we use the top portion, it is not as stretchy and will not stretch out like it would have before surgery.. so.. hope that helps.. an I was told by a friend..that we can stretch our pouches by drinking and moving certain ways..????HUH can this be?? and this friend had RNY..but swears her DR is only right one an the info she gets is the right info.. SO.. enlightment anyone? .. 

Your welcome and thanks for sharing your worried too! now I gotta post too..haha..

See this is where some have an advantage over me.  I do not get hungry, so when I start to get that tight sensation while eating I stop.  That is how I know the pouch is getting full.  I dont  eat till the point of puking or anything...though to this day sometimes that over stuffed feeling just hits me out of no where.  That is why I stay away from foods that can absorb.  That is the worst feelign ever.  And I cannot eat home made chicken soup.  The chicken makes me feel like I am choking and dying....and the cramps afterward.  So strange!  Thanks for all the great advice, glad to know I am not the odd ball!!  LOL LOL  Everyday is a new challege and a fresh reward, right??

I know I read many who can not handle chicken.. but I handle it fine.. all the way to my pouch fine..lol.. I know I do not like the feeling of being too full. I have had it a few times.. with meats.. and I was like WOW.. no more.. so I stay in small amounts and try to watch and be careful.. and lucky you to not be hungry.. I on the other hand.. feel hunger now.. even hubby can hear the growling.. I just look at my belly and say OOOK.. ummm so your wanting food again..lol.. an nope your definitly not the odd ball!! HAHA

Ok my turn to interject here. Pouches CAN INDEED be stretched out! Thats why they came up with the surgery to "pleat the pouch" so it will be more like it was again. BUT I will also stress that IF you stretch out your pouch, you are overfilling it alot and very very often to do so. The general rule of thumb is to not exceed 1 cup of food per sitting once you hit a year out or more. It can go up to as much as 1.5 cups, but this is typically with more liquid / soft foods. Keep carbs low / in moderation, and stay away from the simple carbs! Take in whole grains, fruits and veggies, for your carb sources. Avoid the simple carbs and whites.

I can drink like I used to also, and it doesn't bother my pouch at all usually. But now and then it has its temper tantrums. I am 2.5 years out. for breakfast I can eat like 1 banana, or 1/2 banana and a activia yogurt. for lunch, like 1/3 c cottage cheese and small salad, or a slice or two of lean deli meat.

I do have to admit here, that when I do exceed a cup per sitting, I am eating more for the pleasure than to fill my nutritional needs.. and get myself back in check very quickly!

You have not ruined your tool. Just gradually reduce your intake to be closer to the 1 cup amount. With softer and more liquid foods maybe 1 1/4 cup. Get your fluids in and do not eat until you feel stuffed. Stay mindful of what you are feeling and you will know when to stop before you are FULL. Now and then, we all have to step back, evaluate and curb our eating habits. They can get off track so gradually we don't even realize we are off track. About every 3 months look at what you are eating, how you are eating, and how much, and take the actions needed to get back to where you need to be.

There are days when I can eat more than I realize. Then I curb in the nasty carb monster. Head back to the basics and protein, expecially dense proteins (meat) first. I am about 16 months out from my RNY. Still learning things that I can and can't do. Thanks for sharing.