Question:
I am eating too much

I really have to ask this question. Why is it that I can eat whatever I want to eat with no dumping and large amounts of food can be eaten at one time? Yesterday I ate a roast beef sandwich and a cup of clam chowder for lunch. I never feel full, or really even satisfied. I noticed this early on in my third week post op. I really have to stop myself at meal time. It is obvious that I didn't do such a good job yesterday. I hate to think that I have to go back to the diet regiment again. Truthfully, my weight loss is slow. I am 10 weeks post op and down just 42 pounds. Please give insight as to how this could be. I am afraid to tell my surgeon as he wouls still be expecting me to be eating three tablespoons of protein and drinking clear liquids.    — Sunshine (posted on September 13, 2003)

September 12, 2003
I also am a "LUCKY?" one that can eat and not get sick. I was disappointed because I thought and still think that I would have that STRONG "behavior modification" if and when I ate too much. I am only 4 1/2 month post up and realize that this is a fairy tale for me. I know that I must work on eating properly and that include amounts. If you lost 42 lbs in 10 weeks you are still doing very well. My doctor says that the goal of the surgery is 15 lbs. a month. If you feel that you are eating too much, just think about what you ate pre-op. Read the "pouch rules for dummies". It really opened my eyes and helped me not feel so defeated. Good luck and don't be so hard on yourself.
   — Andrea K.

September 12, 2003
First, let me say you have posted 'two' seperate issues. #1 - "i can eat and not dump.... I'll assume you had the RNY. NOT everyone dumps with the RNY it is NOT 100%. You might not dump now; But you might later ; say if you become lactose intollerant... and milk thinks might make you dump. Also - everyone is different in the dumping area... from "SLEEPING" to just 'diareahea. You may also be not eating things that cause dumping; you mentioned roast beef sandwich and clam chowder... dumping is usually caused by 'sugar' products and neither of those has alot of surgar. #2 - and THIS ONE I can relate too. and you should mention it to your doctor so he can order an upper GI test to confirm ... about 1% of people who have RNY suffer the 'opposite' of stricture. The opening from the pouch to the intestines... in alot of people close up... you get stricture... very common. with a few people the opening doesnt shrink at all... this leaves a hole to large .... so when you eat your food bypasses your pouch (so you dont have that 3 tablespoon limit), YOU never feel 'full' tho early on you might 'throw' up - from meats... The upper GI can determine if you have no pouch function. If this is the case YOU will still loose weight during your 'malabsorption' period; you will loose 'more' if you diet and excerise at this time .... BUT you will NEVER have the food limiation you thought you would have; you will always have to 'watch' and stop yourself. You body will not help. This is a very hard place to be... and if you were NOT aware it could happen pre op can be confusing. Sorry to say, surgeons have now about this problem for years according to the Bariatric Association; but have 'failed' to correct it and ususally tell their patients to diet and excerise. Now, when asked, I recommend the DS or Lapband; both of which DO NOT have this problem. See your doctor.. But remember, you can STILL loose weight thru the malabsortption part ....I was triing to think how much I lost 10 weeks out; but by 10 months I was down 154 pounds; BUT after the malabsorption part stopped gained 10 pounds.
   — star .

September 13, 2003
That is alot to eat at one meal especially if the beef sandwich had bread on it...however, pairing it with a soup would help liquify the food and pass it thru the pouch easier. Your profile says you eat about 3/4 cup of food, and depending on the consistency that may be possible. Softer more liquidy foods you can always eat more of. Your weight loss to date is not slow, it is good so you are doing something right. I would not be afraid to talk to your surgeon-they are there to help you. You might want to do an upper GI or endoscopy to check out if your pouch is intact and the size of the stoma. If they turn out to be OK, then try eating more often but in lesser amounts. 1/2 of that sandwich without the soup, then a few hours later have the other 1/2 of sandwich. You don't have to eat until full, try until just satisfied. As for dumping, that is from sugars or fats and a good 30 percent of the RNY'ers do not dump-luck of the draw.
   — Cindy R.

September 13, 2003
I would certainly contact your surgeon. I know we are all different, but I am five months out and yesterday (for the first time) ate one slice of low-carb bread and was stuffed. I could not imagine being able to get in more than a few bites of a real sandwich (meat and bread) plus the chowder.
   — Barbara C.

September 13, 2003
Anita: I am more concerned about your comment that you are afraid to talk to your surgeon about your problem than I am about your ability to eat more than you think you should be. You absolutely must have more confidence in your relationship with your doctor. He is your lifeline and best source of information and aid in this process. It's not about you plesaing him, it's about him helping you. Please, please look at this relationship differently, and call your doc.
   — Vespa R.

September 13, 2003
Anita- You are hitting a rough patch but one from which you can recover. It might be helpful to try to discern what you want your relationship with food to be in your post-operative life; then, work from that point to try to develop some strategies to avoid those triggers that prompted your overeating. Trusting in your surgeon would be a good place to start this process- you've already admitted to complete strangers that you are fearful of what this eating might porten, now you need to be able to talk to someone directly about it. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi