Question:
5 wks thursday

What is the difference between hungry and head hungry.I think I stretch my pouch.Eating more than 4 oz. of food fixing to go back for 1 wk of strained soups will that help me feel full off of 4 oz.Also going to try pudding for 1 wk no more pureed food for a wk starting tomorrow.    — felicia45Cook (posted on October 11, 2009)

October 12, 2009
At 5 weeks out, you should be eating no more than two ounces of VOLUME at a time. That means you take a two ounce container, or 2 one-ounce containers, and eat what you can fit into them. That may not even WEIGH two ounces, depending on the density of the food. I am just NOW eating 4 ounces, and I'm 7 months out. You should be eating things like fat free cottage cheese (I added a quarter teaspoon of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix to it to make it tastier), smooth yogurt (you can mix flavorless protein powder into it), fat-free-sugar-free instant pudding that you prepare with fat-free milk, jello, Taco Bell refried beans, and soft high-protein foods like poached fish (I like tilapia), tuna moistened with a little low fat mayo, canned chicken breast (or the chicken in the pouches) also moistened with low-fat mayo. Most of your food should be protein. If you were to take a small sandwich plate and put your food on it, 3/4 of the food should be protein, and 1/4 should be vegetables or fruit. Also, you should be eating at LEAST 5 - 6 times per day, and in between, you should be drinking LOTS of water or clear liquids like herbal teas. Remember to stop drinking 15 minutes before you eat, and do NOT drink while eating, nor for at least 45 minutes after. That was the hardest thing for me to do in the beginning... was remembering to DRINK. If you drink like you're supposed to (getting in at least 64 oz per day), you will find that you are not hungry, because you're putting liquid into your pouch in place of food. It keeps me pretty full. Also, you should check with your surgeon about when you should be starting fiber supplementation. I use a Benefiber strawberry-kiwi "stick-pack" in my water at least once a day, preferably two, to give me more fiber, which also helps you to feel full.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

October 12, 2009
My clinic suggests you eat 1-2 ounces of food until you reach your goal weight. On 4ounces you can get well over 1300 calories a day, and you sont' want that at this early stage. Head hunger goes away after drinking or just after time. Real hunger gives you stomach pains etc..most of us have head hunger until atleast 5 months out. There are exceptions, but few. Try drinking instead of eating and wait a half hour to see if it goes away. Most of time we shouldn't be thinking about eating, but getting our fluids in. If you go back to eating 1-2 ounces and stay there, a 4 ounce pouch won't be a loss, because you will eventually be able to eat 4 ounces..maybe more. I personally have kept mine mine small and eat 4-5 meals a day. I am 16 months out and have been at goal weight for 5-6 months. Good luck to you and remember this surgery is just a tool..the real work is up to us. Take this time to re evaluate what you think about food. Hugs, Kim
   — gpcmist

October 12, 2009
YOU KNOW i AM IN THE SAME BOAT WHICH PISSES ME OFF BECAUSE MY DOCTOR SAID YEAH YEAH 4 OUNCES ON THE SCALE i HAD MINE RNY 09/01/09 AND I EAT 4 OUNCES A SERVING SOMETIMES LESS, BUT I AM REALLY NOT LIKING MY AFTER CARE AT ALL!!!!! HIS NURSE SAW ME MY LAST VISIT SHE COULDNT EVEN ANSWER MY QUESTIONS OMG IM SURE MY POUCH IS STRETCHED DAMN DAMN DAMN.. ANY ADVISE WHAT WE SHOULD DO???
   — Sylvia M.

October 12, 2009
My surgery was 6 weeks ago today. Only lost 21 pounds to date. Very dissapointed. After reading these posts, I think I am seeing the error of my ways. I am not drinking enough liquids, and I am eating too much at a meal. I see that I need to eat much smaller meals and to eat more often. In other words, get back to basics. I want to thank all of you so very much for your posts. I hope and pray that reading these comments and participating in these discussions can help me stay on track. Please keep posting, Pat Lavender
   — patlavender