Question:
Just out of curiosity, how would I know if I had a staple line disruption?

I am 4.5 mths out from lap rny and down 53 lbs. The slow loss doesn't bother me too much (I didn't put it on overnight). I am worried that I can eat more than 1 month ago. I can eat a grilled chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-aover about 2-3 hours. Is this normal or could I have a staple line disruption?    — Wendy S. (posted on September 17, 2003)

September 17, 2003
Wendy, if what you meant is that you eat the sandwich over the course of 2-3 hours, I would discontinue doing that. Although I haven't tried the water loading suggested by Pouch Rules for Dummies (see in the News section - previous articles) I do remember that it mentions that you should eat your meal in a short span. I know that we are supposed to chew slowly but should be able to take in what we need in 15 or so minutes and then be done with that meal. If you are continuing to eat a meal for a couple of hours you are going to eat more because your body would be digesting the food you've eaten over that period of time.
   — Judy R.

September 17, 2003
You can eat the whole sandwich because you are spacing it out over a long period of time. The food you ate in the beginning has alread left the pouch leaving plenty of room for some more by the time 2-3 hours has passed. Try restricting the time to 15-20 minutes (30 max) and you should see that you really can't eat that much. Some people with a SLD will get reflux from the acid backing up into their pouch, others notice they can eat a lot more and start gaining the weight back. Try to get your OR report from your hospital (or ask your dr.) and find out if you were transected. If you were, you probably don't have a SLD.
   — Ali M

September 17, 2003
I agree with the previous posters. Eating over 2-3 hours is not a good habit to get into. Eat until you are full which shouldn't take more than about 15 minutes or so. Eat the rest of the sandwich for another meal. My surgeon/dietician recommends 6 small meals a day so I'll eat 1/2 of my lunch (usually Wendy's small chili and grilled chicken sandwich plain - no bun) at lunch time and the rest will be eaten mid-afternoon.
   — Carolyn M.

September 17, 2003
Definitely the other posters are right on. 20-30 minutes of eating with NO DRINKING and you should be full. Also, you really should try to stay away from the fast food. The processed foods are the worst. You have no control over what they add to it! You will be fine. Keep up the great work - you have come a long way!!!
   — gina L.