Question:
I don't understand how some can eat so much after surgery.

...I am pre-op. I've read questions / complaints from post-ops about being able to eat a whole burger or several pieces of pizza just a few months out and they are afraid they are going back to their old habits. First of all, I can't even imagine being able to eat a whole hamburger or several pieces of pizza if my stomach were the size of my thumb. Second of all, why would anyone even want to try to eat that much after surgery? I guess I don't understand - I thought if I had this surgery (RNY) I wouldn't be able to eat that much again - that along with changing our food choices makes this tool work for us? Am I wrong? How is this possible?    — Margaret G. (posted on March 22, 2002)

March 22, 2002
Yes you are wrong; as was I. We did start out with a pouch the size of a thumb (in my case approx. 1 ounce). Over the course of the "honeymoon period", the pouch expands. By one year out, mine had expanded to 8 ounces. I was told that 8 ounces was perfectly normal. I probably eat more than that even now at 1.5 year out. During the honeymoon, you must reteach yourself. You must start acquiring new, healthy habits. At one year out, it is extremely easy to binge on an 8 oz bag of Doritos (ok dumping might be an issue for some). Our tool helps us get it off, but it's our job to keep it off. I really thought that I'd be eating 1-3 ounce meals for the rest of my life also. It's almost disappointing that it isn't true. I miss the days of 3 bites and being too full; though I know that it's not healthy. To be honest with you, I am so normal now, it's eerie. Some nights my husband eats less than me. (I want to kill him those nights). Most of the time I eat about 6-8 ounces meat and some veggies. Perhaps a bite or two of carbs. I limit red meat and thrive on fish. Is it a diet? I don't look at it as a "diet". It's my way of life. Unless you are committed to modifying your behaviors with regard to food, I honestly don't believe that this surgery can be successful. Hope this helps.
   — Jeannet

March 22, 2002
I am 4 months post-op and I eat about 4 - 6 ounces at a meal (sometimes I can't eat nearly that much). I don't eat that much meat but when I have cottage cheese, which I do at least 7 times a week I can eat that amount. I was concerned about the quantity until I spoke with my surgeon and discovered that I was not eating enough calories. I still have problems getting over 800 calories a day, because I don't WANT foods that are high in calories. A typical menu for me is : Pure Protein bar for breakfast; canned salmon and a little fresh fruit for lunch; jerky for an afternoon snack; cottage cheese with bell pepper and cucumber for dinner. Sometimes I have some peanut butter during the course of the day and occasionally I have a Carnation Instant Breakfast before I leave for work since I eat breakfast at work. Volume wise, I eat more when I have cottage cheese than when I eat anything else. The secret to all of this is to make the right food choices. And, ALWAYS concentrate on getting protein before anything else. This is working well for me. I have lost 78 pounds in less than 4 months and I feel terrific.
   — Patty_Butler

March 22, 2002
Hi Margaret, I had an open DS just over three months ago. I may not be qualified to answer your question as to a pouch, but I think I can explain why someone would WANT to eat a lot. As a pre-op, we've all done lots of research and are sure we will be the perfect patient and follow the rules religiously. After surgery, most of us find out we are just human after all. The mind plays lots of games with us after surgery - something most people don't expect to happen. We also go through hormone fluctuations that cause some of us big mood swings, especially in the beginning. Is it all worth it? You bet it is!!! Until you get on the other side, tho, you won't know how you will react. I started out with a 3 to 5 oz. stomach with my pyloric valve intact (regulates food/liquids leaving the stomach). I can eat 1/2 hamburger (1/2 bun) or one slice of pizza. But, I don't eat the thick part of the crust and it's usually mostly the meat, cheese and veggies. I THINK we have to read between the lines when someone says what they eat. I may say I eat a TV dinner. In reality, I eat the protein and a tiny bit of the veggies and throw the rest away. Good luck with your surgery and I hope you have great success. I started out at 360 lbs with a BMI of 56.4. Three months later I am 292 and my BMI is 46. A very long way to go, but of so confident I will get there.
   — grammie5

March 22, 2002
Its 'possible'....I ate 1/2 pizza about a month ago.... :( the REASON.... I had an RNY 11/00 - the opening from the pouch to the intestine is TO BIG... so food goes directly from your throat into the intestines - BYPASSING the pouch.. results: YOU HAVE UNLMITED ABILITY TO 'EAT' .. and trust me this 'suck's! I have been battling this for months now.... my surgeon will not fix it (cause im still loosing weight ). Now its a BATTLE of mind over body.. and we all know we lost THAT one earlier... So yes, after an RNY you 'could' very well be able to eat THAT much.. and if you are YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.. one you will be on your own.. Your surgeon will not fix it.. and your TOOL is 'broken' so you have to find the middle ground. Its not easy.. Having a wide stoma was something I did NOT find when I was doing my pre op search; nor warned about..
   — star .

March 23, 2002
True SOME can eat more than others but were ALL EATING LESS. Few can eat 1/2 a pizza with a RNY. Surgeries differ and what individuals eat differs too. DSers can eat more but I am HAPPY with my RNY.
   — bob-haller

March 24, 2002
I am 4 months post op (down 102lbs) and I have asked myself this same question. I can't eat very much at all still (and hope it stays that way) I am amazed to read that new post oper's can eat that much sometimes.
   — Lynda T.