Question:
Is it easier to eat alot of mashed potatoes then something else?

I am 3 weeks postop and still on full liquids. Today I had no problem in eating two cups of mashed potatoes at one time. I know I shouldnt have waited until I was famished to eat but had no choice. This didnt make me sick in any way, in fact I have yet to get sick. IF MY TUMMY CAN HOLD 2 CUPS OF MASHED POTATOES AT ONE TIME, DOESNT THIS MEAN SOMETHING IS WRONG AND THE SURGERY ISNT WORKING FOR ME. I WAS TOLD OUR TUMMYS CAN ONLY HOLD A COUPLE OUNCES AT ONCE AND IF SO, WHY DID MINE HOLD TWO CUPS? PLEASE HELP    — diann N. (posted on March 12, 2003)

March 12, 2003
I won't tell you that's normal for everyone else but for myself and my mom, when we were at your stage of post op we were able to eat quite a bit more(however much that is after rny). Now that some time has passed and we are better healed, we can no longer tolerate that much. So give yourself some time to heal. Good luck! ;)
   — Melissa M.

March 12, 2003
Diann - I think I would be calling your surgeon. First are mashed potatoes allowed on your plan, as they are 95% carbs and almost devoid of protein. According to Fitday.com 1 cup of mashed potatoes ranges from 195 to 259 calories, 25-45 grams of carbs, 3.5-4 grams of protein and 0-15 grams of fat - depending on if they were dry flakes, or fresh and how they were prepared. <p>2nd why would you even try and eat that much? I would have thrown up by about 5/8 to 3/4 of a cup. I would have been hurting quite bad by 1/2 c. I am 5-1/2 weeks post-op. How fast did you eat? Did you eat slow enough to get the fullness signal? <p>It is impossible for me know if you are following what you should eat because every program is different but I feel fairly safe in saying they never intended for you to eat 2 cups much less 1 cup. You are a lightweight (36.8 BMI) and maybe your surgeon made your pouch way bigger or did you have a banded procedure or DS, which would probably give you larger stomach or pouch. <p>You indicate you are on full liquids. Are mashed potatoes liquids? The bottom line is you are going to need to learn to stop, even if it is going down good. Just because you can eat it does not mean you should! I speak from experience. I had some broccoli slaw the other night and it tasted so good that I found myself keeping on eating it when I knew darn well I had exceeded what I would likey be comfortable with. It was very difficult to stop because it tasted so good but I did. I put it in the fridge and went back in the living room. I ate the rest for breakfast the next day, which was a strange thing to eat early in the am but at least I didn't end up overeatng on it. It is very low in calories and fat and moderate in carbs, but not much for protein so I was having it with my main protein course as a side dish. <p>Please call your surgeon tomorrow and talk with the nurse, dietician, surgeon anyone!
   — zoedogcbr

March 12, 2003
Chances are it *didn't* hold two cups of mashed potatos. Pouch capacity depends a lot on the texture of what's put into it. Liquids, we can drink pretty much as before (carbonation debate aside), within two to three months. Because they pass right through. Your potatos might also have passed through more easily than you'd have expected. Once you start eating more and different kinds of food in the coming weeks and months, you'll notice that "x" ounces of breads or cereals, versus "x" ounces of meat, versus "x" ounces of soups or mashed potatos, all feel very different in your pouch.<P>Having said that, let this be a warning to you to have other foods around to satisfy hunger, because now you've learned how easy it is to fill up too much with a big pile 'o carbs. :~( If you couldn't eat sooner, you couldn't (it happens), but many folks wind up carrying protein bars, crackers 'n cheese packets, nuts, and other "emergency" supplies with them to avoid being in this tough situation if at all possible.
   — Suzy C.

March 12, 2003
I don't think that you have anything to worry about. I am 4 weeks post-op and I can eat the insides of a medium-large baked potato without any problems. I think its all about the consistency. I'm on pureed foods and mashed potatos is right at the top of the list from the nutritionist (so I wouldn't worry about the nutritional content - although I do mix in a few teaspoons of powdered egg whites to add some protein value). I can drink an 11oz can of Atkins shake in 15 minutes with no problem, but can't eat a half of a 6oz hamburger patty. I think that it really depends on the texture and consistency of the food. I wouldn't worry about it.
   — Amy W.

March 13, 2003
There were a couple of things at that stage that I could eat way more than an ounce of. Espacially yogurt. I think that it moved quickly through my pouch. Were you still hungry while you were eating or did you just not feel sick? You might want to measure out what you are eating before you start so that you don't eat more than you should. At two months and mainly eating protein I can tell you that I truly cannot eat more than 3 ounces MAX!!! mostly closer to two. The more solid the food generally the less of it you can eat. Another interesting thing that I have learned about carbs is that you can comfortably store them in your esophogus (sp?) while your pouch empties to accept more. It is not painful so many people make the mistake of overfilling their pouches this way. My surgeon told me that. When you can eat meat you will not be able to do that without serious dicomfort and probably pain. If you are very concerned then talk to your doctor. It is always good to ask them everything. Measuring your food also retrains your brain to know what a serving looks like for our new tummies.
   — Carol S.

March 13, 2003
I had the exact same experience. I was able to eat 10 baked french fries with cheese on them. Yes it was a BIG mistake to eat the fries and I know that 15 days post op, but what really freaked me out was I ate them with no problem and wasn't overly filled. I went to the doc today to ask him about it. He wasn't concerned at all about the amount that I was able to eat. He told me that my pouch needs to continue to heal before I get that major full feeling. He probably did my surgery a bit different because I don't have 200 pounds to lose so I am able to tolerate foods better. I truly wouldn't worry about how much you were able to eat. Just chalk it up as a learning experience and fight the urge like I have to and not eat as much, soon your pouch will heal and you will get full sooner. Love and God Bless
   — Rachel O.