Question:
I lost control and ate too much today, yet not full, did he actually do my surgery??
I had my surgery ( a Revision from stomach stapling to RNY on February 1st, 2008. I have been doing fine with eating the prescribed amounts. Today, I was stressed. I ate the usual 2 - 2-3 ounces, (of checken and mashed potatoes) but then about 30 minutes later I ate 2 ounces of stouffer's brand spinach souffle, then 2 more ounces of it. Then about 15 minutes after that I took one bite of chicken. Yes, I know I need psychotherapy to deal with eating issues and I am going to find a therapist. My question is; did the surgeon actually convert me over to a RNY? Why did I not feel full after eating that, or get sick? I felt fine. I am getting paranoid that he opened me up and closed me back up without making any changes. I know that sounds silly , but again, why did I not feel full or get sick? Where is the "tool"??? I am worried now that I will not have an effective tool and will end up being "able" to over-eat in the future because the surgery won't work the way it is supposed to. Am I overlooking something or not understanding something? Is it because the mashed potatoes and spinach souffle were very soft and mushy? Dear God, please tell me this surgery is going to be a powerful tool. Please answer me, and thanks everyone for your help and caring! — Gina S. (posted on March 7, 2008)
March 7, 2008
I think you didn't get full for a couple of reasons.
1. You spaced out your food consumption.
2. You ate "slider" foods like mashed potatoes.
Does your doctor say that mashed potatoes are ok? Mine says no way. They
are pretty much useless carbs.
You're right you need to do some mental housecleaning. Good for you for
recognizing it. Just another example of how the surgery changes our
stomachs, but WE have to change our heads. Good Luck!!
— Shirley D.
March 7, 2008
Eat the types of food in the measured quantities at the schedule your
surgeon recommended. You're only 5 weeks post op. If you don't follow a
protocol now, your surgery may not be as successful as it could be.
— Dave Chambers
March 7, 2008
Hi Gina, girl I feel ya! I often feel as though maybe I didn't get the
surgery either. I AM able to eat anything with no side affects, ... no
dumping, nausea, diareaha anything. I do not recommend pushing this
though. I assure you... I did have the surgery and I have 72 very lost
(and gonna stay that way) pounds to prove it. I am pretty certain you had
the surgery too. Your, as of yet, unhealed pouch is healing and may not
just yet recognize some of the feelings of fullness. Also, the soft, mushy
foods spaced out as you did make it possible to refill that pouch every so
often without a problem. Your tool is there, trust it, use it, try not to
abuse it or it will eventually fail you. You can do this. Do find you a
support group... preferrably one you can attend in person. These meetings
are very theraputic, you'll see. Also, do what you can to find another way
to deal with your stressors... believe me, I do know how difficult this
is... I've posted my stressors on here more than once when I'd gone way off
the wagon and over-ate on all the wrong things. Don't do what I did, find
a more productive outlet for your stress... as I said earlier, you can do
this. Good Luck to you, Leslie
— LuvNSummer
March 7, 2008
I feel that since you were grazzing which means eating and then later
eating again ect ect that is one reason.
Also carb foods you can eat way more of that then real solid protein.
Example: chicken you can probably eat 2 ounces maybe if you only eat that
maybe a little more depending on your size and portions.
If you eat mashed potatoes you can eat twice that if not more and not get
sick.
The first year of my life I did not eat pot. or stuffing ect.
i am three years out and pretty much maintained and doing good.
— tl_morgan
March 7, 2008
GINA, I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY BECAUSE AT 5 WEEKS OUT I HAD A SIMILAR
EXPERIENCE AND WROTE FOR ANSWERS TOO. I HAD TERRIBLE CRAVINGS, OVERATE, AND
STILL WANTED MORE. I DIDN'T EXPECT THAT I COULD DO THIS AFTER SURGERY.
SINCE I HAVE LEARNED THAT IT TAKES MY POUCH 20 TO 30 MINUTES TO TELL MY
BRAIN THAT IT IS FULL. MY DOCTOR TOLD ME TO EAT VERY SLOWLY MAKING 2 OUNCES
LAST 20 MINUTES. MAKE SURE YOU CHEW VERY GOOD. I AM ALLOWED MASHED POTATOES
ON MY DIET BUT WITH PROTEIN ADDED. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT I WAS HAVING HEAD
HUNGER. A PSYCHOLOGICAL NEED FOR OLD COPING SKILLS THAT I HAD TO ANALYZE
FOR MYSELF. IN ABOUT A WEEK IT PASSED AND I GOT BACK ON TRACK. I WAS ALSO
LUCKY BECAUSE THE NEXT DAY MY POUCH HURT AND WAS SORE FOR TWO DAYS TO
REMIND ME NOT TO REPEAT THE NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR AGAIN. I STILL DON'T GET
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE THAT I AM FULL BUT I MEASURE EVERYTHING AND EAT ONLY 2
OUNCES THEN GET AWAY FROM THE KITCHEN IF YOU HAVE TO. HANG IN THERE. AND
STAY IN TOUCH WITH OTHERS IT HELPS. MARSHA
— tigerlil58
March 7, 2008
Gina,
I feel for you and understand your panick completely. I had the lap band
almost two weeks ago. I have not had my first fill yet, but am shocked at
how full I feel when eating so little. However I too am having some food
battles. I do great all day and then wait too long to eat one time and
find myself overeating. I am only eating soft food and I think that makes
a difference. Maybe you should find a snack that is filling, yet
satisfying that you like. This way when you have cravings you could reach
for this snack instead. Do not panick or think you are alone with these
issues. Stay strong and look for other alternatives. Have faith most of
all! Smile, today is another day.
Jeri
— JeriBrown
March 7, 2008
I, too, had a revision from gastric stapling to RNY. The problem with me,
and possibly you, too, is that we don't have a "pouch" like
others do. You should ask your surgeon to draw you a picture of what it
looks like. My original pouch was so odd shaped that I ended up with
basically a tube. Things go straight through. I am able to eat much more
now than I did with my original surgery.
The hardest part is that your mind had this new tool to be the way your old
tool was. IT IS NOT!!!!! You will have to relearn what hunger and
fullness feels like. At your stage of the game, you still have unhealed
nerve endings. You will be healing for several more months. Talk to your
surgeon if you have any doubts. I felt the same way you did. About three
months out I started dumping with a vengeance. I can eat NO sugar and DO
NOT WANT IT!!!! But in the beginning, I could eat something one day and be
fine and the next week eat the same thing, same amount and get really sick.
It is all a very personal, intimate thing for you alone.
I thought I didn't have anything done, too, or that he had put my stomach
back the way it was originally. Trust me, your results will come. You
have to relax and work the tool! I only needed to lose about 80 pounds and
have lost 92 pounds so far. Hope this helps. Feel free to email me with
any questions or for support.
Kim
— kcox1960
March 7, 2008
Only your doc can tell you what size pouch he gave you. My doc goes to the
small side and the pouch is about the size of a man's thumb. I can now eat
more than 3 oz but it is after 3 months for me. However, God help those
who help themselves. You got to focus on eating and chew 50 times before
you swallow. Then after 20 minutes leave the table and go back to your
normal task. Don't drink during the meal or for 1 hour after. Then reach
for water rather than food. If TV makes you hungery, go to the gym and
wath it with a bottle of water on a bike or tred mill. You can do it.
Just focus. And best of sucess to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 7, 2008
Hi Gina, thanks for writing. I understand your struggle. I eat, even good
foods, and it is tough to not go back in about 30 minutes or an hour and do
it again. It is small portions, even good food, but I still want more.
The thing is, just because I CAN eat more, doesn't mean I can't CHOOSE to
NOT eat more. Head hunger is a real issue for the obese, and it is still
for me. I look thin on the outside, but I am still obese on the inside.
You can take the cottage cheese test to see what size your pouch is.
Measure out 3 or 4 portions of 1/4 cup cottage cheese. Time yourself for 5
minutes and eat as much as you "comfortably" can. This would be
the size of your pouch. If you eat all 4 and can eat more, measure out
another 1/4 cup and eat it, etc. At five minutes stop. Don't eat fast,
just eat regular pace for 5 minutes. After that, how much you ate is the
size of your pouch. 3 portions is a 6 oz pouch, 4 would be 8 oz, etc. I
think your issue is more anxiety driven and harmone driven. I also think
it is possible that your opening from your stomach to the intestine (the
stoma) could be larger than they wanted it to be. That would mean that
food would pass into your intestine a little quicker than it might have if
they had closed it up more, therefore emptying the stomach sooner. Head
hunger is a major issue for the obese. It is for me. The bottom line
though is you control what goes into your mouth (I am not meaning to sound
mean, I promise). The choices are ours, and the consequences are also
ours. Losing weight was always about diet and exercise. Fight to stay
strong with diet, exercise and water. The choice is yours. Take care.
Patricia P.
— Patricia P
March 8, 2008
Are you getting all your protein in each day? If you aren't then that could
be the cause of feeling hungery. Also don't drink 30 minutes before, during
or 30 mintues after you eat to feel the fullness. The surgery doesn't solve
the head problems and for most of us, that is a real issue we have to learn
to deal with every day. Take it one day at a time. Blessings to you. Sherry
— SLittle1
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