Question:
WHY DONT I EVER GET THE FULL SENSATION?

Okay just looking for support here and any info you could provide! First I want everyone to understand I done this major surgery for ALL the right reasons! I am so depressed right now and feeling like it was a waste! I had a lap rny 04-04-03 1 mo ago today. I have lost only 18 pounds, and always seem hungry and am just sick about the amount of food I eat already! I follow the rules about drinking b4 and after so thats not the problem, I walk, take my vitamins, get in my water and its not as if I just eat to see how much I can eat, I eat only when hungry and stop the minute I am not starving anymore! However that is usually after too much food but if I stop when I should I am still starving for example, I ate a whole taco today no problem hungry 2 hrs later, the other day while shopping with my mother I ate a whole ham and cheese sandwich from hardees (first time for fast food). Now normally this isnt my diet but these are 2 things that really bothered me within the last few days! Why am I eating so much and getting hungry so soon? Could there be a medical problem? I have never vomited felt nautious or anything NEVER! Please help me I really feel like a failure! Thanks so much for listening.    — Melissa S. (posted on May 5, 2003)

May 5, 2003
Melissa....you could be me...I had lap RNY on 4/11, and after 5 days in ICU..and eating nothing but ice chips, and then clear liquids on the last day...I am home. Fri was 3 weeks for me....I have only lost 11 lbs. I am sick that I did this to myself for 11 lbs. I can eat (but I am following the soft food diet...) I AM hungry...and never feel full or nauseous...I am walking and taking my vitamins and water...just not losing ...not a pound since last Monday...I can understand your frustrations.
   — pat C.

May 5, 2003
Eating every 2 hours is ok, or it was for us, with 6 tiny meals. But a whole sandwich makes me nervous, too. Can you be checked for a relaxed stoma?
   — vitalady

May 5, 2003
I would call the doctor. That seems a lot of food for being 1 month post op. It took me until about 4 months post to eat a whole taco. And I still can't eat a whole sandwich. I'm sorry you are going through this frustration!! :(
   — Diana L.

May 5, 2003
Don't worry. You may be on a plateau. My daughter had a purely restrictive surgery and it failed. She only lost 40 lbs in 6 mos. She will be revised. If you feel like this is failing you, talk to your surgeon. Michelle was even revised. This happens to some people--my surgeon says it is the "truly genetic" people that if fails on. He also says it is "NOT (emphatically) YOUR FAULT." That being said, you have to give your body time to adjust, I wouldn't worry until I'd been 4 MONTHS without a weight change to adress it. Please feel free to write if you wish but put "obesityhelp" in the "re:" so I don't delete you as spam. Love,
   — sandieguy

May 5, 2003
Melissa if you eat and when you finally stop you find you've eaten too much to the point of discomfort, then that could mean you are eating too fast. It takes the brain a while to get the full signal. That happens to me all the time. Also, I have always felt that I can eat too much. I remember when I was about four months out, I ate an entire order of 7 layers nachos from Taco Bell and it scared me to death! I've still managed to lose the weight, but most of the time I don't eat as much as I believe I could. For instance, I could probably eat an entire sandwich now, but I don't cuz I really don't want to know if I can. Good luck to you!
   — Lisa N M.

May 5, 2003
If that happened to me I would be so angry. I would feel cheated. It is like you never had surgery at all. What kind did you have, what does the surgeon say. Is your Stoma so wide that the food just goes right on through. I have read a lot on here about this. Have you tried our library. Go to the top of this page and click on Library.
   — faybay

May 5, 2003
Just a thought, but I had somewhat of a similar experience. I didn't truly begin feeling full until about 6 weeks or so post-op. It was quite sudden and quite exciting. I've read that sometimes the nerves in our pouches have to heal first before the sensation of fullness is triggered and sent to our brains. Maybe you just haven't hit that point yet. As always, you should call your surgeon to be absolutely sure. Good luck!!!
   — Teresa W.

May 5, 2003
Hi~ What size did your surgeon make your pouch? How much did he by-pass? These are things I would ask him and this may explain why you can eat this much at 4 weeks. I'am almost 6 weeks out and cannot finish even a half of sandwich. ( my surgeon approved us for toast but not any bread that wasn't) This seems like alot of food for 4 weeks to me. I would call him and ask why. Good Luck!
   — latrishanickle

May 6, 2003
I hesatated wether or not to reply to this... BUT decided to go ahead. There are similarities to your post and then there are 'differences' so Im NOT sure if my experience apply or not. BUT I guess what concerned me the most was the volume of what you are able to eat just 4 weeks post. I didnt TRY to eat these things 4 weeks post so I cant say whats going on... BUT just the fact you COULD makes me stop and wonder... I, and a few on here, do suffer from what I call a 'large stoma'. This problem is evenident from day one POST; one of the evidence is being able to 'eat' more than you were told - with NO throwing up or feeling full. To rest your mind, I would ask your doctor for an Upper GI test to 'test' your pouch. IF you should have a large stoma problem; it would show up in the test. One of the reasons, I hesitated was your comment on 'starving' One of the things I have is Im very seldom hungry; and that was evident real early. No hunger. So, you may or may not have the large stoma; could be something else; but I would at least get THAT ruled out. Also, since you mentioned hunger, and another mentioned 'the size' of your pouch; it could be that your pouch is larger than the norm; so you can eat more; and might attribute to the hunger. Sorry I cant be more help. I couldnt say which would be worst - a large stoma or a large pouch...
   — star .

May 6, 2003
I understand how you are feeling. I will be 4 weeks post op this Friday, and am bouncing between 18.5-19 lbs., and I too am hungry most of the time. Real, stomach growling, burning HUNGER!! I am still on the pureed food stage, so don't know if I could eat a whole taco or sandwich or not, but I'd bet I could. I can easily eat a whole order of pintos & cheese from Taco Bell, along with a few crackers, and am still hungry. I too am getting quite depressed by this, and feel like I am going to be a total failure!! Feel free to email me if you want someone to talk to who's dealing with a similar problem. :o)
   — Cat S.

May 6, 2003
Just curious, do you use the protien drinks? I know that helps me a lot. As for eating soft tacos or ham & cheese sandwich, I'm not at that stage yet. I'm still on soft foods, like cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, etc. I have 5 Protien drinks a day. Good luck!
   — TLLessor

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