Question:
am i eating to much? a lil help here!!

ok im almost 3 weeks out from rny surgery. im really worried im eating to much. most people i know say right after their surgery they could only eat 2 bites of food and they were stuffed. that is so not the case with me. i can eat almost a half can of tuna and about 6 crackers. i can eat a whole egg, i ate a very small piece of pizza without crust not all these foods at once just per meal. i eat about 2-3 times a day. also can bread strech your stomach? are there any foods to stay away fromto keep the pouch from streching? thanks so much in advance!! andrea    — andreajam79 (posted on December 18, 2009)

December 18, 2009
At 3 weeks out you ate a piece of pizza?? Crust or not, those aren't the choices you should be making that soon out. It shouldn't be you testing to see how much you can eat, at this point you should be measuring what you are told you are supposed to eat. I have to measure 1/2 cup portions of things and that is it. You aren't supposed to eat until you can't eat no more. Measure for sure. You shouldn't be eating breads and pizza or crackers really that early on! You want to stay away from starchy foods like that and even further down the road, eating them in moderation. Does your diet plan state that you can have these things at 3 weeks out? Certain foods don't stretch your pouch, overeating does. Eating tuna and a whole egg isn't a big deal, it's the other stuff. Remember you are in this for life and the choices you make now are what helps you succeed in the future. You don't specify what surgery you had, but regardless, the time is now to make the proper choices. And also, bread by itself cannot stretch your stomach, however, bread and rice will swell and can cause problems with getting stuck and stuff, especially this early on.
   — Jennifer F.

December 18, 2009
I HATE TO HURT YOUR FEELINGS BUT YOU SHOULD BE ON 2 OZS A MEAL AT THIS POINT AND ON A LIQUID DIET, WHICH CONTAINS SF PUDDING, REFRIED BEANS, APPLESAUCE, OATMEAL AND ETC... THE DR. SHOULD OF GAVE YOU THAT INFO. YOU COULD DO ALOT OF HARM BY NOT EATING AS INSTRUCTED. I AM 3 MONTHS OUT AND AT 3 OZS AND I AM EATING STEAK IN SMALL BITES. ANY BREADS OR PIZZA OR JUNK FOOD IS A NO NO. NO SUGAR WHAT SO EVER. I EAT ALOT OF SOUPS, AND TRYING MEAT NOW. IF YOU CANNOT GET A HANDLE ON THIS YOU COULD CAUSE MAJOR ISSUES. TALK TO YOUR DIETICIAN AND EXPLAIN HOW YOUR FEELING, YOU DON'T WANT TO GO BACKWARDS THIS WAS A LIFE CHANGING EVENT. ITS NOT TO LATE, GET HELP FROM DIETICIAN AND GET BACK ON TRACK. GOOD LUCK
   — kandrews64

December 18, 2009
You need to go to your support group. Three weeks post op I was only having protein shakes. I am not supposed to eat any carbohydrates until I lost 75% of my weight. I guess each Dr. is different but my Dr gave a booklet and in the book it told you what to eat in what phase. This surgery is a GREAT tool, but you also have to change your eating habits. Pizza 3 weeks out is not good. I have lost 80 lbs and I am still not eating any pizza, breads or crackers. The only grain I eat is quinoa, I started to eat this last week, I am 4 moths post op. You went through the pain of this serious operation, use it wisely, it is a marvelous tool, but just a tool. Go to your support groups. Good luck
   — FSUMom

December 18, 2009
I was advised to eat 2oz (mushed) food, every three hours. I coukdn't always fit it in but maybe it is the length of time between foods that is causing the probs? Try it, & not such bulky foods. Just an idea
   — ditzyangeluk

December 18, 2009
I think you need to rethink what you are eating. As you have read in the other postes you should not be eatting crackers or pizza. I am 7 months out and last week I was at a meeting and they servered pizza for lunch. I took a piece of pizza that had the most toppings and the most protein. And only eat the toppings. I don't eat bread, crackers or potateos. You can not eat the samethings you ate before the surgery. I eat a lot of beef jerkey, cheese, chile and meat. I do not do protein shakes. I try to get my protein from food. I eat 4 to 5 times a day and measure and weigh my food. I am down 99 lbs this morning and all my blood work came out just fine at 6 months. You need to talk to your DR and be honest with him. I wish you the best of luck.
   — dsquire

December 18, 2009
Hi Andrea, Did your clinic give you a mela plan before surgery? They should have. You should be on stage 2 foods...or soft foods at this distance out from surgery. Soft foods...jello, yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed taters, scrambled eggs, melted cheese, v-8, smooshed beans, etc. I would not eat tuna yet, as I think from the can is hard. and your stomach needs time to heal from surgery and trauma it has been thru. Also, from the time I got on solids until I hit goal, the most I was to eat was 2 ounces and only 3 times a day. I hope this helps you out. I would call your dr's office and ask questions. Perhaps you have stretched it out, but I think at this early stage it may be reversible. You need to find a good support group that can help you with these questions. And you need to get your thinking turned around when it comes to food choices. We are in the need of proteins now, and need to think of what our body needs, not what we desire. We are not eating for pleasure anymore..atleast not for the first year.Vitamins and nutrients first. I pray this helps you out! hugs and God Bless, Kim
   — gpcmist

December 20, 2009
Hi Andrea, You sound a lot like several other ladies I know that had surgery done with a different doctor than mine. They were told to go home and start trying to eat whatever right off the bat. I'm in complete agreement with the answers you've received already. I am almost 9 months out and do not ever eat any white bread, rice or sweets. They are a big no no. You will begin gaining weight back eating those carb rich foods. I came home post of eating a liquid diet which included two protein drinks a day. I still have some type of protein drink/bar every day. I didn't want to lose my hair! Then at 4 wks, I was put on soft foods, beans, scrambled eggs, mashed banana, etc. I could only eat a half banana or half egg at 4 weeks. I think you should check with the dietician associated with your surgeon. If one is not available, go to your regular doctor and see about getting together with one. It will save you lots of grief down the road. We all have gone through a major surgery to use as a tool for weight loss. I'm down to 148 and there is no way that I am going to put it all back on. Our weight is a disease which must be managed by avoiding sugar, too much fat, etc. Take care. I Wish you nothing but luck!! Carol in Iowa
   — CarolH1953

December 21, 2009
Hi Andrea, it's been a while since I had my surgeries (VBG in 1997 revised to RNY in 2000 due to lost ring) but with both surgeries (two different surgeons) I came home from the hospital and spent the first two weeks on liquids such as s/f popsicles, jello, broth, etc. Weeks 3 and 4 I went to soft foods to include malt-o-meal, yogurt, refried beans, chicken noodle soup chewed to death, mashed potatoes, s/f pudding and could continue with anything on the liquid phase. After 4 weeks I was instructed to eat no more than 2 oz at a time and nothing but protein. Here I had scrambled egg (had my first vomiting session as I ate it too fast or didn't chew well enough), chicken nugget or chili from Wendy's, tuna, pinto's n cheese. At six weeks I was turned loose dietwise with the following instructions: No drinking 30 min before or 1 hour after a meal, primary focus of meal should be protein followed by veggie followed by fruit then by starch if there was any room left (no way), no soda, stop eating when satisfied not when full and avoid sweets, breads, and rice (due to swelling). Hope this helps!
   — Kellye C.