Question:
Help!!! I feel like I am eating to much.

I feel like I am eating to much food. I constantly want to eat. I feel hungry all the time. I dont' eat much when I eat. Maybe a 1/2 cup of homestyle bakes yesterday and a half of cup of light shells and cheese mac and cheese. And then I ate 2 sanwhiches at different times one in the morn and one in the evening of ham and cheese. Then I ate a 1 oz box of raisins. And a few pork rinds. I think that seems alot. I dont' think I am getting in enough protein and not enough fluids. I just can't seem to do it. I am 5 1/2 months out and I have lost 73 lbs plus, but my scales are going up and down the same 4 lbs the last couple of weeks. I have digital and I dont' know how accurate they are. But still yet this is getting aggravating. I dont' know if I am eating enough or eating to much. I feel like I eat way to much, but when I compare it to what I ate preop then I know I am not eating alot. But I fear I may have a staple line disruption, what is the symptoms? Dont' mean to ramble on but I am worried.    — TONYA B. (posted on March 18, 2002)

March 17, 2002
I think Ava was right on the money. You might try checking your protein intake with www.fitday.com. It's free and shows protein and carb grams (unfortunately doesn't count sugar--that would be great). I aim for 100 grams a day. That means (for me) eating more meat and adding a protien bar or shake every day. I eat a lot of cheese, nuts, deli meat, eggs, stuff like that. I don't think you are eating too much in volume but too many carbs and not enuf protein. It is normal for there to be a sudden increase in the amount you can eat. I was eating 1/4 to 1/2 cup and then all of a sudden I could eat 1 1/2 cups. PANIC! But I settled down and now can only eat about 1 cup at 10 months out and not always that much. It sounds like you are eating the mini-meals and that is great. IMHO you should just switch to higher protein and substitute fruits and veggies for the simple carbs. Chances are that will help you feel more satisfied and may help you bust that plateau.
   — ctyst

March 18, 2002
I know how you feel! I constantly have a complex about whether or not I have a SLD...two weeks from now I will find out for sure..once and for all!! My doctor hasn't been concerned because I haven't been gaining..the first sign of SLD, and the ability to eat ALOT more than usual. To me, you don't sound like you're eating a ton, I can eat a whole sandwich, I don't make a habit of it, but I can do it...from discussions with alot of post-ops...some of us can eat alot more than others and it doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong. What it does mean though...we have to be more careful!! We have to make use of the tool more than others! I'm 13 months post op and SO miss the honeymoon phase when I didn't have to watch what I ate and the pounds zoomed off! (122lbs/approx.7 months) Now my scale hasn't budged an ounce in 6 months! Some days this is discouraging because I wouldn't mind losing a couple more...but some days it's kinda nice, I don't think I have ever in my life stayed the same weight for so long...so I think I've got maitenance down pat! So now it's up to me...if I want to stay at this weight, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing...eating pretty much what I want (a cup or so of whatever) but watching fat/sugars, drinking a good amount of water, and getting to they gym at least 2-3 times per week....and feeling pretty "normal". If the scale starts creeping in the wrong direction or if I really want to take these last couple lbs off...then it's back to the old rule....protien first, in whatever form works...for me it's usually deli meats, tuna fish (with a teaspoon of lf mayo) and protien bars. Up the water and going to the gym more. It's up to you! I think alot of us are made to feel guilty that we're ruining this chance that we've been given, I know I've been dumped on more than once with my previous posts...but you know when you're doing wrong and it's up to you to get yourself back on track...if you feel like it really is a SLD then talk to your surgeon and insist like I have to be scoped...just to make yourself feel better! And talk with the surgeon or dietician to help with your "diet"....now I'm the one rambling! Hope it helped!
   — DolcezzaVT

March 18, 2002
I know how you feel...oh boy,do Iknow how you feel. Some days I can eat an entire sandwich...other days...maybe 2-3 bites. Remember...things like pork rinds dissolve quickly. They also wash out of the pouch very quickly because they do dissolve.
   — Mustang

March 18, 2002
Keep in mind that only 1% of people who have WLS develop a staple line disruption. It is very uncommon. Also, most people are transected these days, so SLD can't occur. To me, it doesn't sound like you are eating too much. It sounds like you may be eating too often (grazing).
   — Terissa R.

March 18, 2002
I have days like you describe. Fortunately, it doesn't happen often, but it does happen. On those days, there is NO top end on the protein supps I take. Normally, I shoot for 4-6 per day, but when my appetite thinks it is running the show, I will drink protein every 2 hours until I am in control again. I have finally found ways to improve my water intake and it helps, too. I don't want to have come this far only to give it back! For me, the first sign of SLD was acid in the pouch, so pain, heartburny feeling. I poured in more protein & did not gain substantial weight while I dinked around with ins. games. But I certainly COULD have.
   — vitalady