Question:
I am five weeks post op and am suddenly starving.

I actually ate a whole chicken salad sandwich!!! I am scared that I am going to damage my pouch. Up until now I have not had to deal with much hunger, and if I am hungry a few sips of protein shake or even water and I am fine. Let me ad that I have been on prednizone since Monday, and they say it makes you hungry. My question is, even if I am hungry, why was I able to hold so much food???    — owliegirl (posted on November 1, 2002)

November 1, 2002
I am only 3 weeks post op and can still eat more than I think I should. I was wondering myself if this was normal.
   — Wendi S.

November 1, 2002
I"m 7 1/2 weeks post and i can eat almost anything except rice.One night I had a chicken bar-b-que sandwich with a spoon full of coleslaw on top on a bun. i was able to eat the whole thing with no problem. Some days i can eat a little more than others. If I was you i wouldn't worry because if you felt you ate too much work it off.If I can eat more it doesn't bother me because I still don't eat like i use too before surgery.
   — punky

November 1, 2002
Allison, first let me say I am very sorry to hear that you are on Prednizone. It is a very difficult drug and I hope that you are able to get off it quickly. Not only can it make you hungry, it can also make you very depressed. Please keep that in mind and try not to be too hard on yourself. Regarding the food issue, I think you should eat until you are not hungry, but be careful what you eat. I am 8 weeks post op and I know I loose a lot better when I eliminate the carbs. I'd say that chicken salad is fine, but try to cut out the bread. If you are still hungry, add some vegies. That way, although you may be eating more on some days, you will be eating in a way that will still premote weight loss. I bet you'll feel a lot better about the situation if you know you are makeing excellent food choices. Good Luck!
   — Amber L.

November 1, 2002
Keep in mind that different doctors make different pouch sizes too. And different types of surgeries have different pouch sizes too. I have met people with pouches that are just 1 oz in size, and they eat much less than I do with my 3 oz pouch size. You won't damage your pouch with a chicken salad sandwich, so stop worrying. Only constant overeating and stuffing yourself round the clock can do that. Keep in mind that over time, our pouches do stretch naturally. Its supposed to. Prednizone is a great drug!! I know the side effect can be hunger and weight gain for some, but if you have certain conditions, like an out of control skin rash, or rampant allergies or asthma, the drug is absolutely amazing for the short term fix....
   — Cindy R.

November 1, 2002
I agree with Amber's reply...if you make good choices eating a bit more isn't a problem and can actually be a blessing, because you won't have to worry about going into starvation mode! Just keep in mind that the denser the food, the more it fills you and the longer it will hold you till the next meal. Bread is very spongy and not dense. Those kind of carbs turn into sugar in your system and actually promote feelings of hunger. Good green veggies (this includes cauliflower) are a great choice. I like to take meat salads (tuna, chicken, etc.) and roll them up in a lettuce leaf so it seems more like a sandwich. Boiled eggs make great containers for sandwich fillings too. Yum and lots of protein. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]