Question:
What's wrong with my pouch? I can eat anything and lots of it!
I am one month out from a RNY and find that I can eat anything except sweets and I can eat plenty of it!!! I am talking about a Happy Meal at Christmas (yes I know I should not have had it) without any problem - I had to wait about half an h our between the fries and the burger but I didn't get full till I finished the burger. Is this the way the pouch works? I thought I'd only be able to eat a tiny bit and be full!! I wonder if my pouch is too big. I know that I'm eating a diet heavy on carbs and having a lot of trouble with 'head hunger', so as of today I'm eating a lot more protein and counting calories. I sure would appreciate any advice. Do others have this happen to them? I have only lost 20 pounds and today the scale says I gained a pound!! — suzannem (posted on December 29, 2007)
December 29, 2007
Hi Suzanne, time for a little tough love.
I don't think there's anything wrong with your pouch, but I think the
problem lies in our food choices. At 1 month out, your pouch is not
completely healed yet and the nerves are not yet giving you the sensation.
It sounds like you are eating too much and you are in danger of disrupting
your staple lines which would result in very serious consequences.
I understand the head hunger and we all encounter it -- but the best way to
get over it is not to give in to it. If you give in to it with, e.g., a
happy meal, you will feed it and it will continue to control you.
Instead, right now -- get back on your surgeon's protocol and follow it no
matter what you are craving. You will not lose the weight you want to lose
if you don't follow the plan! And, you will continue to endanger your
health (and your life) if you don't stick to the plan.
— Jasmine130
December 29, 2007
My Instructions told me that if you are unsure about if you are full or not
to eat the recommended amount for the phase you are at. For me that is
soft foods, and about 1/3 cup at the most. I am 3 weeks out and i feel
full weather I eat or not. I was warned also, that anyone can "out
eat" this surgery and mess it up. Think of your pouch as a newborn.
You wouldn't feel a baby the wrong foods. Good luck to ya! Everyday is a
learning curve! Lesleigh07
— lesleigh07
December 29, 2007
More tough love. This surgery is a TOOL only, NOT a cure all!!!! It does
not automatically fix your problem for you! You need to take a hold of
your head hunger/eating habits and get your own willpower or you will mess
your pouch up big time--maybe even end up in the hospital ER! Do you want
that? Quite frankly it doesn't sound like the psych that did your psych
eval before surgery really asked the correct questions before approving the
surgery for you! However it's not too late-- get back on track PRONTO and
control your portion sizes by using a small plate not a dinner size plate.
Eat your protein first and ONLY the size you should at this point! Stay
AWAY from the carbs! They have never been your friend! If you MUST have
something only take a bite and eat it slowly and savor the taste or get an
apple or carrotts to chew on etc. If you MUST have a burger, take the bun
off (I am 9 months post op and get the occasional hot ham and cheese from
Arby's but I take off 90% of the bun and only eat the meat and cheese. I
have one or 2 fries each month out of my daughter's small fries when we go
out once a month if even that (it's an I can only afford that once a month
thing). Control Control Control. If you can't learn this, then quite
frankly you had no business getting this surgery because you believed the
surgery would do the work for you. If need be, go see a different psych
doc and get some help! Good luck, God bless and welcome to the losing
side.
— crystalsno
December 29, 2007
Are you using a journal to keep up with what you are eating. This really
helped me to keep control of my portions and calories, carbs, exercise,
water, etc. To see it in print really helps you make wiser choices. I use
fitday.com to track my journey. Please STOP the fast food so early out.
As someone told me, there is much time for that later. We want to take
advantage of this time when the weight will come off the fastest. I also,
carry good snacks and protein bars with me, I keep them in the truck, my
purse etc. Because I am tempted so many times to make the wrong food
choices. As the days past, you will be learning more about good food
choices and your willpower will be com stronger. Wishing you a better
tommorrow than today. You have to challenge yourself. Find someone here or
elsewhere that inspires you. We can do this.
— ShowStopper ..
December 29, 2007
Why are you eating McDonalds? It sounds like you're trying to
"Test" to see what will happen. Well, now you know. So, get
back on track, follow your mealplan. You can do this, but only IF YOU
REALLY WANT TO. Head hunger stinks, but you can't use it for an excuse to
go to Mickey D's anymore. If you need support, log on here. There's
always someone on who will help you get past the head games. Good Luck.
~Shirley
— Shirley D.
December 29, 2007
Suzanne- As a long-term post-op who remembers some of your prior posts, I
hope you won't mind my suggesting that now would be a good time to talk to
someone about your food issues. Being a revised RNY-er, you do need to
take special care as your further surgical options a little more limited
than others. Also, given you general health issues, losing weight more
quickly is particularly important (I was in a comparable situation because
my high blood pressure was nearly uncontrollable and I was a ticking
timebomb until I was able to drop at least 100 pounds). Lastly, many of us
who have experienced some significant grief turn to food, not out of head
hunger, but out of some old belief that, on some level, we might find some
comfort in the foods we are choosing (which are typically not the best
choices for weight loss and health). I gotta tell you, no amount of food
has been able to provide much in the way of long-term (or even short
comfort), but there is some strength when I am able to stick to my program
and sometimes I am able to draw on that strength at those times when I
particularly miss those who are no longer with me. Hope this helps.
— SteveColarossi
December 29, 2007
Maybe you just need to refill your band a little tighter.
— 2409w.poplar_rodriguez
December 29, 2007
I can eat more than what I stared out eating too. I cannot eat a whole
happy meal, nor can eat the whole kids hamburger. I had my surgery 3 years
ago and still can't eat a lot. I think you need to watch your food chioces
at McDonalds. I eat at McDonalds too but I eat a side salad and thats it. I
cannot eat fries, they feel my pouch up really quick. So be aware and
careful about your food chioces.
— twinshouse
December 29, 2007
You have alot of really good advice here hon, PLEASE take it to heart! 1.
Your stomach is not healed, your sensation is not functioning properly
until about 3-4months out. That is why there is a plan. Jasomine is 100%
right and you are seriously endangering your health by testing it. 2. Is
this a revised RNY?? Why go through this surgery? Why try to eat what you
are not supposed to hon, why? You had your self cult open and fileted? Is
the cheeseburger and fries REALLY doing anything for ya?
3. "What I am doing today is important because I am exchanging a day
of my life for it." -Unknown, a freind gave me this quote. Make each
day count. Little goals, little things, good choices. YOU CAN DO IT!! You
really can do this, don't test yourself. You set YOUR limits, don't let
your pouch be the gatekeeper of your success. You are in charge. Your pouch
is but one tool. Your self control is but one more, and so is your emotions
and though processes. Above all of these is your CHOICE. CHOOSE a better
life, choose to help yourself. RNY is a huge gift of a tool but you have to
use the tool as it's intended honey. There is no robotic pouch connected to
your brain and nervous system to make your decisions for you. Your pouch
will work if you work it correctly. Please keep in mind your risk to your
health at this early stage. Your stomach seriously does not have the
sensations fully to make YOU aware of it's presence consistently as of yet.
BE CAREFUL!!
Hugs ~ Tomi
— Tomi D.
December 29, 2007
I just read your profile...1. you ar ea nurse? you know better. I am and RN
and honey you know better. 2. "I had the vertical banded gastroplasty
about 10 years ago and the staples all came out and I gained all the weight
back" quoted from your page...maybe you have interrupted
sensations...if you don't control your eating you understand your could
rupture your pouch and die?! In the beginning you need portion control and
you need to eat a tiny bit and KNOW you are full and FOLLOW YOUR SURGEON'S
plan please, before you end up in serious trouble medically.
— Tomi D.
December 29, 2007
Suzanne, thanks for writing, and you are gonna have to be brave and use
your pouch. Your pouch is a tool not a miracle. If you abuse it, you will
gain weight and not lose. It is not a miracle. What you put in your mouth
is your choice, and the consequences are also yours. Sorry to be tough,
but you didn't go through surgery to not lose weight, but losing weight
will always be about diet and exercise. Please control what you eat and
how much. Don't wait to feel full, that will vary from day to day, eat
enough to be barely satisfied and move on. It is a tough thing, but you
can do it. If you don't you will will regret your surgery. Take care.
Patricia P.
— Patricia P
December 30, 2007
Frankly it sounds like you are rruining and stretching your pouch with your
food choices. You should not be eating such foods at all. I have not been
perfet on my diet....snuck tiny bites of things here and there, but in 2
weeks lost 30 lbs and I could never eat a whole happy meal or whole burger
at all. If I eat 1 cup of soup with four soda crackers (as is on my diet
now), I am so full I feel uncomfortable. What you are experiencing is not
normal. You need to tlak to your doctor and take this life change more
seriously.
— [Deactivated Member]
December 30, 2007
I'm not going to lecture you, as I've seen you've gotten some great advice
and I think you know that eating at McDonalds is not the best idea. I'm
amazed though that this early on that you can even eat bread. I have yet
to be able to eat very dry toast and even some crackers and I'm almost 3
months post-op. I get upset about it sometimes..because the cravings are
overwhelming...but I'm grateful too, that this tool is working the way it
should. I am down 46 pounds since my surgery date Oct. 17, 07. I do agree
with the one answer to your post that you need to examine why you're making
the choices you are, and why food is such an importance. I have had to
really keep a journal and take inventory as to why I eat and what drives me
to want the "bad" foods, over the healthier choices I could be
making. It's not just about controlling the food going in...it's about the
emotions we experience that make us want to eat...or overeat. This is a
support site, and for that reason I'll tell you that I'm here for you if
you need to talk. Just know that when you post on here, you get
honesty...sometimes it's more honesty than you're ready to hear...but it's
helpful and will hopefully guide you in the right direction. Work closely
with your nutritionist, journal, and keep consulting with the psychologist
you had to get this surgery in the first place. It's all going to get you
the success you desire in the long run! Best wishes and write if you need
support. Hugs...Cheryl
— Cheryl K.
December 30, 2007
Have you heard about 'water pre-loading'.? You drink 8 oz. (or MORE) a bout
20 min to 1/2 hour prior to a meal. With the meal and for maybe 1/2- to a
full hour afterward, DRINK NOTHING. When you have your meal, measure out
what you plan to eat (including dessert, if any), about the size of your
fist by volume, and eat it RAPIDLY in, say about ten or fifteen minutes
max. Since you are not washing your food out of your pouch, this technique
of eating will *slightly* stretch your pouch and give you the sensation be
being full and satisfied. Also, not washing your food through gives your
pouch time to do its part in the digestive process. Food that prematurely
*dumps* into the small intestine from your pouch gives you that uneasy
feeling that has come to be known as the 'dumping syndrome'. *Dumping* is
the CAUSE; *syndrome* is the EFFECT. If you try this technique, you may
find that just a fistfull at mealtime will send your brain the message that
you have had "plenty of it".
— [Deactivated Member]
December 30, 2007
Hi I read the first few responses...no one mentions that stretching out the
pouch is bad..and i was told that after the surgery--people have been known
to gain weight...they do not eat according to the dr. recomended
diet..sounds like if you aren't careful you will have gone thru this for
naught. Please follow the diet and ask dr for help--get help thru support
groups, and don't let your head ruin what can be a great tool to losing
weight. You went thru the surgery for a reason...keep that in mind.
— gpcmist
December 30, 2007
Glad to hear you are upping your protein and counting calories.
Unfortunately, not everyone responds to surgery the same way and you may be
one of those people who does not get feelings of early fullness.
You've gotten a lot of great advice so far and I hope that you are able to
use some of it. One thing about surgery....just because you are able to
eat certain foods doesn't mean you should eat them. Try and stick to
protein and veggies.
You may want to make an appointment with your surgeon to discuss the
problems you are having as well as to find out about the size of your pouch
and how much you should be eating.
Best wishes.
— mrsidknee
January 2, 2008
did you dr. make you pouch small enough. sometime i feel he didn't make my
small enough. before eating i always measure my food intake. its funny i
don't never feel full neither and i do stay hungry. its been 11 months and
i only lost 50 lbs. be carefull and check with your dr.inform him you dont
feel full
— yvettetas
February 19, 2009
I am having this same problem. I am 2 months post-op and I can eat
anything. I have had only had one band adjustment. I was told that after
the 2nd or 3rd fill, that you can finally start to feel the fullness. I'm
hoping this is true. I can definatly over-eat and then I feel it. I've
been measuring everything just to be safe.
— Kelly7882
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