Question:
I am 6 weeks post op and can eat a whole can of Campbell's chunky soup.

I know there are a lot of questions in the database about this and I did go through there but of course, none were exactly what I'm asking and I'm getting scared. I ate the soup at 6pm. I had eaten a pretty big lunch at 2:30pm (five bites of salad, five pieces of shushi, two bites of beef). Please help!!!    — Rebecca L. (posted on May 6, 2001)

May 6, 2001
I'm in the exact same boat. I'll be seven weeks on Wednesday, and had some thoughts that maybe the doctor made my pouch too big. I did a test, just once, to see how much I could actually eat without pain and such. I had a whopper jr. minus the bottom bun. The whole thing! And it didn't take that long. (I know everyone will ask if I sat there for an hour. LOL) I decided then, he must've made the pouch too big. I'm having a serious talk with him at my next appt. He was supposed to make it no more than 3oz. Also, I've only lost 25lbs. in the seven weeks. That's nothing to sneeze at, but considering the huge step this surgery is to make, I'm disappointed. I walk daily, at least a mile, and do the protein, vitamins, etc. I have to admit, I don't drink enough water, but you'd think I get some from the foods too, ie. cucumber, fruit, protein shakes, lettuce, etc. Sorry to vent, but I totally understand where you're coming from. I get so down when I read about folks losing 40 in 4 weeks, when I've been so slow to lose. I feel like it must be me, but I'm starting to blame some of it on the surgeon. I'm not having anything else done if it's faulty either. I've had enough surgery for two people. Whole other story! Thanks for the platform. And Rebecca, if you want to email me privately, please do. I don't think other post ops understand if they're losing faster, or can only eat "two bites." Lucky ducks!
   — Amy K.

May 7, 2001
Hi, I understand completely. I am 5 mos postop and have only lost 60. I have been on the plateau from ---- for a month! I lose 2 gain 2, lose 3 gain 2, lose 1. It is very frustrating since I am only eating 980 cal a day and walking 2 - 3 miles! I do feel good though. I get down about 50 oz of water a day. It is challenging. I have never got up in the morning and lost 5 lbs like some people. But any gain is lost and never stays so it is a downward number on a consistent basis. I think that the people who lose the fastest usually have a really high BMI. It slows down for all of us after a while and that is when the work comes in! I notice your BMI is not that high. Don't give up. Do you ever experience that "heavy" feeling? I have heard that if you feel extremely full, i.e., the heavy feeling...you must quit eating then or you will stretch the pouch. Does anyone know if once the pouch is stretched does it go back to original size again?
   — Marilyn C.