Question:
Why can I eat so much?????

I am almost 5 months post-op and I have lost almost 60 pounds. It fluctutes between 55 and 60. O lost all of this weight in the first 4 months I have not lost a single pound in the past month. The thing that really concerns me is how much I can eat. For breakfast I generally have a Slim Fast (220 calories) lunch is a variety of Weight Watcher dinners (220-290 calories) and dinner is whatever. I can eat the entire frozen dinner. Is that normal? I don't eat much meat because of how it makes me feel. I can eat a lot of things like popcorn and crackers. Am I just making the wrong food choices? The other night my husband and I went to the Outback. I ordered the Outback special. It is a salad, steak, and baked potato. I ate half at the restaurant and half the next day. Am I just being paranoid? I am sorry that this is so long. I just need reassurance. I never get sick and I never dump no matter what I eat. Any suggestions?    — Brenda B. (posted on January 18, 2001)

January 18, 2001
Hi, please check out www.sabariatric.com as it gave me really good info regarding post-op eating. I now understand "why" the pouch is only a "tool" and what I should be eating and why. It truly is a great site! Good luck, Tina (surgery in 5 days!)
   — Tina C.

January 18, 2001
Good news and Bad news, Brenda. You are losing fine, but it WILL slow to a crawl if you keep making those food choices. Slim fast is about 50% sugar! (And very little protein--it's nothing like you'd think from the ads.) Switch to a real protein drink or try sugar free instant breakfast with powdered protein added. No cookies or crackers and go easy on the popcorn unless air-popped. More water, more protein!!! Smaller more frequent meals, so pouch doesn't stretch! Eat protein first! Watch out for steak and dry chicken--can cause stomal blockages! No sugar, no grazing. Ask Michelle Curran for advice personally--she knows it backwards and forwards. But don't feel bad over needing to learn--so far, you've lost a lot of weight! Good jb! Jesse
   — Jesse M.

May 4, 2001
I feel the same way sometimes. I generally eat about half a rest. meal and take the rest home too. I had surgery about 1 1/2 yrs ago and havent gained so don't worry. Just try to drink more water and exercise more!
   — Shelly T.

May 30, 2001
What you have described is someone who has a 'large stoma" this problem seems to be 'put under the rug' and ignored by most. This can happen (over time ) by overeating; BUT BUT BUT it can happen from day one. If you can eat 'more' than your peers, from day one have your surgeon do an UPPER GI test. My surgeon didnt; and waited 6 months before he finally did.. diagnois... large stoma;; which means food is going directly from the espogus to the intestines and NEVER in the pouch. the pouch will not strech. YOU have NO LIMIT on the amount you can eat; I have found very little information on this; since I have been 'basiclly' dieting for the last six months and have lost wieght; my surgeon considers me a success even tho my RNY is bascially 'empared'.
   — star .