Question:
What should I be eating at 18mos post op? How much? I'M SCARED!!

I worry about how much and what I eat constantly!I obsess about food and appearance. It is always on my mind. I also beat myself up continually.... Do I eat enough? (thats a rare question these days), Did I eat too much? Was this too fattening? Did I gain weight? Do I look fat? Am I too thin? Am I gonna gain the weight back? Did I disrupt my staple line? Did I stretch my pouch? All of these questions haunt me on an hourly basis. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PUTTING TOO MUCH FOOD ON my PLATE AND TRYing to EAt IT. My EYES ARE STILL BIGGER THAN my STOMACH. I also worry a lot about regaining the weight. My capacity has really increased and I find myself obsessing about everything I eat. Did I get enough protein? Did I do too much sugar today? Why am I so hungry? My problem is , I can eat sweets and I can eat alot more. I want to lose 30 more lbs. I have gained 10 lbs and am scared to death that I will gain back all I have lost! (110 lbs) Thanks in advance! Sue    — SusieBella (posted on February 16, 2003)

February 16, 2003
Just out of curiosity, does your bariatric surgeon include any kind of program addressing eating disorders in his WLS process? I am going through Dr. Procter's program (Gainesville, GA) and his 3-day eating disorder workshop is very helpful in addressing the issues that you are most concerned about. The most, MOST important thing you must realize is that the WLS surgery requires A LIFE-LONG commitment from us. Naturally, as our pouches become conditioned, they stretch and we can eat more. The goal is to eat BETTER, HEALTHIER, MORE NUTRITIOUS FOODS. Eating protein first and choosing healthy foods to make up the other half of the meal should be your main objective, as well as being aware of the "bad" foods (sugars, starches, fats) and bad eating habits. If you feel you need to clean your plate, I would suggest that you use a smaller plate, so that your eyes trick your mind into thinking you are getting a larger portion. Eat slowly and savor each bite. Remember that it takes 20 minutes for our stomachs to send our brains the message that we're full. The slower you eat, the sooner your brain will get that message. If you aren't sure how much protein you should be getting on a daily basis, check with a dietitian. She/he can provide you with that information as well as a list of protein foods and the amount of protein they contain, per portion. I have such a list in my surgery handbook. If you e-mail me, I can scan it and send you a copy. Hope this helps.
   — cherryswitch

February 16, 2003
Sue, First of all you are not alone in this at all. I thought I would have the surgery and life would be some what normal as it was before. WRONG!! I am just like you, it is like reading my own mind. I have lost 114lbs in 13 months and now I am underweight at 5 7'and 104lbs. Not in my mind, I feel it is all going to end one of these days I will wake up and the obese unhealthy women will be back even more unhappy than before. I monitor everything I put in my mouth, then at times it all goes out the window. I will graze and it is almost like self distructing. I tell people I am an obese women living in a thin womens body. How confusing it is sometimes and other times the most wonderful gift. It is complete sabatoge and it is sad this cycle that continues. Anyway, you are not alone. We are out here but remember this! You may eat things you shouldn't but look at the big picture. I am sure your portions are much smaller than they were before WLS, remember that. It might seem like alot of food now but I am sure you are doing much better than before. Congradulations on your weight loss, 110 pounds is remarkable try to relax. The more we stress the more we set ourselves up for problems. Maybe talk to a nutrionist if you are concerned. Remember this is a tool but you are using it with your success already! Thanks and congrates again. Cari
   — Cari D.

February 16, 2003
You sound rather obsessed.. do you have a support group you can attend? I have the feeling that some others like you... that you can talk these things over with would be a good idea.. don't you think? In the meantime, here are some ideas... <br><br>go here - http://www.wvda.org/calcs/fcals.htm and see how many calories you need to maintain your weight.. then stick to that or slightly under. Its not perfect, but it might give you some idea of how much you can eat. That done, go to http://www.fitday.com and start keeping track -- if that will help you. Its not for everyone.. but it might give you some security in knowing what you're eating and how much you can consume each day. I've lost more than you, but I'm only 8 months out -- my guess is that I weighed a lot more than you did when I started. <br><br>if you want to lose weight, eat fewer calories or exercise more. These are the easy things.. easy for me to say.. maybe harder for you to put into place. I do wish you luck.. and GET THEE TO A SUPPORT GROUP NOW!
   — Lisa C.

February 17, 2003
I was reading your profile and my guess is that you now weigh 150 lbs and you are 5'7", is that correct? That sounds like a really good weight for your height. Do you have a support group in your area? I think that would help so much. I too, can start to get obsessed, is it over..., will I keep losing..., can I keep it off... I think in some aspects that this is normal and will help keep us on track. But if you are worrying to the point that it is a problem, go to a support group. Also, the eyes bigger than the stomache.... try measuring everything you can for a while and log it on fitday.com to track what you are eating, if there is a problem area, you will pin point it easier this way. You may find that you are eating less/more that you thought. I have often told my husband that I feel like I went from a compulsive overeater to behavior more like an anorexic. It's scarey, but probably neccessary to succeed. I wish you the best of luck.
   — Dana B.

February 17, 2003
Susan, your questions are normal and ones that we all have from time to time. However, you say that these questions haunt you on an hourly basis. That is called obsessive, and I think you should seek some professional help, and perhaps some medication to calm you down. We all worry as we get further out about regain, but please, keep it in perspective. Remember, this pouch is just a tool and if at 18 months post-op you are still 30 pounds from goal, then the solution is a good old fashioned diet. This means eating less calories, drinking more water, and doing more exercise. Lower the carbs and sugars, put less on your plate to begin with, and eat more protein. There are no secrets at this point. The tool gets us close to goal, and to goal for some-but then after that, to either get to goal or learn to stay there, is WORK. At 18 months you should know how much to eat without getting stuffed (stretching the pouch)and what the right things are to eat. You should not have to obsess like this-at 18 months post-op, it should be 2nd nature by now. So, please, see a specialist for some counseling to deal with your fears, and check out a support group for some support too.
   — Cindy R.

February 17, 2003
Sue, It is time to see an eating disorder specialist. I agree with some of the other answers to this question. Fat is not your enemy, you are your own enemy, and you know what they say about self fulfilling prophecies. First you do need to relax, and I agree that you may need medication to help you with your obsession. I take medication and find that things that once were obsessive no longer pose a threat. I also see an eating disorder therapist, and have done so for quite a long time. I find that I am an emotional eater and have to find different ways to cope with my anxiety and bumps in the road of my life. I have not had the surgery yet, but hope to have it this year sometime. I finally feel ready. You have given yourself a great gift of wanting to be healthier, now you need to focus on making your mind healthier also. If you are anything like me your life has revolved around your weight. When that is gone what's left? It's time to find out, and that requires some work! Everyday praise yourself in the mirror. Look at what you expected weight loss to do for you. Did you expect it to solve all of life's problems? Sometimes expectations like this can be overwhelming especially if we have taken away our drug of choice. Anyway, please see a therapist and psychiatrist and get an evaluation. You've got everything to be proud of and right now you are out on a ledge without a net. They will help you find that net that won't have to be food. Hope this helps! Debbie
   — Debbie A.