Question:
I am able to eat too much, I think.

I am so depressed. I am 12 days post-op and eating a lot. I thought that I would be able to only eat 2-3 Tablespoons. and I am eating 3/4 to 1 cup of food. Is this strange or what? I lost 12 pounds the first week, but in the last 5 days I have lost NONE, in fact I have gained a pound. (cry Cry) I also have not pooped in 5 days. Maybe it's the water. Maybe I should still be on soft foods or liquids. Am I stretching my pouch. I need some help from the veterans quick, cuz I am making myself crazy and not enjoying my last 4 days off. Help, Please?    — April L. (posted on December 4, 2002)

December 4, 2002
hi there. sorry your making yourself crazy. everyone is different and pouch sizes vary so im not sure that 3 fourths or 1 cup is too much or not. for me personally it would have been. at 12 days out i could maybe get half cup in but it depended on what it was. as far as not pooping in 5 days. please dont let it worry you. i went 5 or 6 days without one and just thought that something was terribly wrong. habits change after surgery. some have the runs everyday while others dont go but every few days. i now go about every 4 days. i wish you the best of luck and if you are very scared about the amount of food you are eating dont hesitate to call the surgeon, ask him what his other patients were able to eat at 12 days out and if he feels that 1 cup is too much then he could order an upper gi to be done to see whats going on in there. god bless and hang in there.
   — carrie M.

December 4, 2002
I'm 3 1/2 mths out now and still am worried if I am eating too much or too little-- can't decide from day to day. But I have found that the amount I can eat varies greatly depending on what it is. For instance I can only eat one ounce of meat at a time but can eat/drink a whole cup of soup with no problems. I started documenting my daily intake on fitday.com and as long as I fall within "my goals" for the day I try not to think about it too much. As far as the BM issue, I found that the only way I stay regular has been to resume my one cup of reduced caffeine coffee each morning. While caffeine is a no-no as far as the surgeon is concerned, it is the only thing that works for me. And yes, I stop at one cup.
   — dorothy S.

December 5, 2002
April, you are not alone. There are many others (including myself) that have concerns about my pouch being *stretched* to accomodate more food than I should be able to eat. It's frightening to me, but I'm not going to go into depresssion about it. The mere fact that you are losing as was told to me is an indication that the surgery works! It's still too early to come to any conclusions~you're only 12 days post-op. Gotta give your body time to make the adjustment. Your body is probably saying, "what in the world is going on here"? Lubricate your internal organs by drinking more water (sipping). Don't make yourself crazy over this, April. I realize it may seem easier said than done, but rest in the fact that your mental/emotional well-being is just as important as the physical healing process.. You may tire of hearing this, but everyone is different...Different body build/makeup, different surgeons use different techniques. Sometimes our bodies may have retained the fluids given to us while we were in the hospital. I was concerned about not having a bowel movement early on, but from the advice I received through this community was to do all that you know to do, drink/sip the water, get your protein supplements in and anything else that you have been instructed by your doctor. Call your doctor's office nurse. Let him/her know of your concerns. The nurse can inform the doctor who will make the necessary decisions about what to do~~it may even involve an office visit and x-ray (UGI) or endoscopy to see if anything unusual is going on. Please don't cry and get yourself worked up...This process takes time, and everything will work out~give it time, sweetie and know that were here for you. Don't give up. Hope this helps..."
   — yourdivaness

December 5, 2002
What kinds of food are you eating? Liquidy foods will flow thru your pouch while solids should not. Are you drinking while you eat? Taking longer than 20 minutes to eat? All of those things can affect how much you can eat. If you can eat a cup of solid food, I would DEFINITELY go to the dr and have them do some kind of testing. Sounds like WAY too much to me.
   — ctyst