Question:
I think my pouch is broken! Why can I eat so much?
I am a woman on the edge!! At 11 weeks oput I have lost 37 pounds. Only 10 of it in the last 6 weeks. I can eat a good amount and my doctor keeps telling me not to. Big help there. I have heard about others having an issue with food just rushing through thereby allowing them to eat a lot and to feel hungry quite soon after. Could this be me? How do I correct this? My doctor said I stretched my pouch by drinking more than 1 ounce every ten minutes but that HAS to be BS. Any ideas? Thanks!!! — Shannon H. (posted on October 12, 2003)
October 12, 2003
Well, yes, you could have a relaxes stoma. BUT there is NO FAULT attached
to this mechanical failure. NO FAULT. Got it? So, if it is so, talk to
others with it, and go from there. It is just cruelty to suggest you did
this to yourself. Grrr.
— vitalady
October 12, 2003
You didn't state what kind of procedure you had. But from what I understand
that if you got a new stoma that yes, in fact, you can stretch it out. Most
people don't do that until 9 - 12 mths post-op.
You have to stop eating for it to shrink.
Remember the WLS is a TOOL not the solution. I suggest you do more reading
about being post-op and go to a support group.
— Marrilee M.
October 12, 2003
As someone else said, This surgery is just a TOOL. For it to work right,
we have to eat the right amounts even when we feel like we can hold more.
That is the only way to work it. Didn't your doctor recommend amounts for
you to eat? I agree, you need to study what post op life is all about.
I'm not bashing here because we have all made mistakes, but it sounds like
you have had no education of the right foods, amount and etc to eat.
Certain foods, I feel like I could keep right on eating but I know what
size my pouch is and what my doctor says I should be eating as far as
amounts. Sometimes, you just have to make yourself stop. If you do in
fact, have a large stoma, you can still lose weight by exercising some
control over how much you eat.
— Delores S.
October 12, 2003
Just a question: you are not drinking anything with your meals, are you?
I was told to stop drinking totally 1/2 hour before a meal and not to start
again until 1/2 hour after.
— Tim W.
October 12, 2003
Shannon- I just read in your profile that you felt hungry two days out. Do
you think that maybe you have been feeling "head" hunger and
ignoring the signs from your pouch that you are full? It is possible, as
some of the other posters have mentioned, that if you are drinking with
your meals, or just after you eat, that you could be washing the food
through your pouch. It is also possible, I regret to tell you, that
stretching your pouch is easier in the first few weeks after surgery.
Maybe you could find some comfort in having an ultrasound done of your
pouch; any problems could be seen and you would have some piece of mind.
Good luck.
— SteveColarossi
October 12, 2003
I wonder what you are eating? If you are filling your pouch with chips and
such, you should be able to eat a lot. Remember to focus on your lean
sources of protein and avoid foods that are high fat and high in carbs.
Also, not drinking before and after meals is very important as others have
mentioned.
— aejbhm
October 12, 2003
Shannon: I can't believe the answers you're getting. Yes, this surgery is a
tool, but if the tool is defective, it's useless. And if the tool is
defective, it is nothing you've done wrong. From what you wrote, it does
sound like you have an enlarged, or dialated stoma. The stoma, or opening
to your intestines is too large, allowing the food to empty too soon out of
your pouch. This is my problem and I've had it since the beginning. I've
given up researching a fix, but I have read of some people who have found
ways around it (one interesting solution was to lap band the pouch). Spend
some time in the library here. There's been a lot of questions in recent
months concerning this. Feel free to read my profile, as I went into great
detail of how it felt to not have this tool. I can't provide any answers,
really, but at least you won't feel like the only "failure". And
ignore those who are so quick to place the blame on you. Chances are very
high you did nothing wrong.
— Cyndie K.
October 12, 2003
Shannon, I have been there and I do not think you are sitting around eating
chips. I think that you should go to your surgeon and have him order an
upper GI and an EGD. I waited for nine months and felt horrible because I
could eat so much. It also does not help when you have those who should be
"supportive" telling you to "just stop." I have said it
before and I will say it again, if ANYONE here could "just stop"
eating without feeling full then gastric bypass would be nonexistent. I
stick to meat, basically my diet consists of very lean hamburger meat,
chicken breast, salmon, steak and eggs. I have to eat about every 3 hours
or I feel faint and it is because the food is passing right through. I have
been checking into this and I have heard that the surgeon can go back in
and place a band to "keep the food in longer." I highly doubt
that you have a stretched stoma, that is really not that common this soon.
However if that is the case the tests I mentioned above will determine that
too. Good luck and if you find anything different then what I have
suggested, or your surgeon finds another way to "fix" it if is
the opening to the small intestine please keep us posted. You can e-mail me
too if you want to talk [email protected]. Take care! Reace
— Laureace A.
October 12, 2003
I know how it feels, Shannon. I am 9 months out and have only lost about
50 pounds. Can you believe it?? Anyway, I've always felt like I could eat
way too much from the beginning. I've asked my surgeon for answers and he
just can't give me any. I agree with the poster earlier who said if the
tool is broken, it's no good. I fully agree. My tool is broken and so is
my heart. I can't believe this has failed, too.
— Angie K.
October 12, 2003
Shannon: How awful this is for you. I hope you can find a surgeon that
will repair your surgical failure. I made the mistake of not coming to
AMOS much after my RNY surgery, and really beat myself up for gaining
weight back. I did pretty well for the first year post op, but little by
little I could eat more and more. To the earlier poster, my doctor's
instructions didn't include amounts to eat. I have always followed my
surgeons instructions and they said eat protein foods, no drinking an hour
before or after meal and no carbonated drinks. Also to drink 64 oz of
water, but not just an oz at a time. I don't believe I stretched my stoma.
I believe for whatever reason it relaxed far too much. It's the similar
to getting a stricture, but the oppose. People don't cause the stoma to
close up, and I didn't do anything to cause the stoma to relax or enlarge.
But I didn't understand that until I came back here and researched. For
people to assume I am eating too much because of head hunger, or I'm not
following directions is just adding insult to injury. Dr. Fobi puts a ring
around the stoma and has been for years. He must have know the stoma
could, and in some cases would, enlarge or why would he do it? I just wish
I'd gone to him, or had the DS instead of being told that if I worked with
my tool I would never have to diet again. Guess what? I'm dieting my butt
off and I've gotten 1/2 of the 41 pounds off that I gained between year 1
and 2, but it's been major work. I walk 10 miles a day most days. It's
very, very rare for me to not walk at all. I've worked as hard or harder
than any of my post op friends to make this work. If some of you reading
this don't believe me then whatever. I know what's true and what's not,
and RNY CAN fail people. So don't let your doctor, or anyone else, make
you feel like you did anything wrong. Get the tests that others have
suggested and go from there. Best of luck and keep us informed. Sherry
— sherry hedgecock
October 12, 2003
Drinking water will not stretch your pouch. Are you drinking with your
food? That will enable you to eat a lot more. What do you consider a good
amount? Is it soft food or dense food, i.e., meats? If you can eat a lot
of, for example, chicken, a lot being over 4 oz. you may have a problem.
Maybe you are thinking a lot is really not all that much? Perhaps you are
just at the first of many plateaus? And lastly, are you transected? I had
staple line disruption very early on in my first surgery. I was not
transected than and had to be redone. With sld, I could eat about 2 Lean
Cuisines and felt moderately full. Not stuffed. Now, I can eat about 2 oz
of dense food and feel full. I can eat about 3/4 of a Whopper Jr. at
Burger King minus the bottom piece of bun. I know, Burger King is not a
good choice but I am using this example because it is familiar to everyone.
Your doctor should not blame you for any problems. You have been through
a lot to get this surgery and if there is a mechanical failure, it is NOT
your fault. That would be like saying a flat tire on your car was your
fault! Ask your surgeon or pcp for further tests to determine if there is
a problem An upper GI can show a staple line disruption. Don't assume
that this surgery has failed you until you know for certain there is a
problem. At 11 weeks you are still very "early out" and no
offense, but still have a lot to learn about what you can and cannot eat.
The learning process continues for a long time. Please check with your
doctor first to see if you are transected. Staple line disruption is a
very common cause of mechanical failure if you are not transected. Lastly,
to anyone out there who knows the answer.....are all lap procedures
transected???? If so, I will quit asking the "are you
transected" question to everyone who has a problem if they are lap.
MIchelle, you probably know this....please advise...Thanks,
— Mylou52
October 13, 2003
Marlyn: I was transected for my lap, but I doubt they all are, just like
not all opens are. Just a guess though. Hope you find the answer. S
— sherry hedgecock
October 13, 2003
POSTER HERE: Thanks, guys, for all the ideas. In response to your questions
- no!I am not drinking with meals.I can eat 1 1/2C. of chili, for
example...but I am trying to make the right choices. It's hard to accept
that I can never eat until I am satisfied (I guess that means till I'm
full) As far as knowing what I was getting into, I had to attend monthly
meetings for nearly a year before having this (including several post op
support groups) and I never heard any mention of it "failing"
this way. I'm going to demand that they look at my pouch and see what's up.
I wonder if a band will be covered by insurance now...? (yeah, right!)
Thanks again, everyone!!
— Shannon H.
October 13, 2003
I AGREE WITH CINDY KING 1 WHOLEHEARTEDLY!!! I CAN EAT AS MUCH POST OP AS I
COULD PRE OP IF I LET MYSELF. YOU NEED TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO CHECK YOU FOR
A LARGE STOMA, WITH THIS THE FOOD GOES DIRECTLY OUT OF YOUR POUCH INTO YOUR
INTESTINES...I AM ONE OF THOSE UNFORTUNATE ONE AGAIN... I WAS A REVISION
FROM A BROKEN STAPLE LINE ON A VBG FROM 97...I JUST FELT DOOMED... BUT MY
DOCTOR TOLD ME TO DRINK AS MUCH WATER AS I COULD BEFORE I ATE AND START
DRINKING WATER AGAIN 30MIN TO ONE HOUR AFTERWARDS...MAKING SURE I GET IN 60
GRAMS OF PROTEIN AND DRINKING TONS OF WATER AND CRYSTAL LIGHT AND DIET MT.
DEW (WHICH I WOULD GET SLAMMED FOR IF I TOLD IT) BUT THIS IS A TOOL AND
EVEN WITH A LARGE STOMA YOU CAN STILL LOSE THE WEIGHT...OR SO I'VE READ ON
THE BOARDS SOMEWHERE...IT'S JUST HARDER FOR US...ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO DO AN
UGI AND SEE IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM....GOOD LUCK!!!
— Tabatha W.
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