Question:
Stoma question

OK I'm still learning all this so bare with me....the stoma is the opening OUT Of your stomach right? I think mine has stretched or something. It's like I eat...and I get full off my small serving just like I'm supposed to. I don't drink with my meal and I also wait like 30mins or more before i drink AFTER my meal...but it's like I get the "hungry feeling" pretty soon after I eat! Like today I ate lunch at Sonic...and 30 mins later I started feeling hungry. 30 more mins later I was totally hungry again. I'm wondering if my food is emptying out quickly because of a "stretched" stoma? I am almost 8 months postop....if this is it, what could have stretched it? This hasn't been happening for long....and it's SCARING me to death!!!    — Craig A. (posted on June 13, 2002)

June 13, 2002
Craig, I'm only 7 weeks post-op so I'm still learning alot too. I remember my dietician saying to wait at least an hour before drinking after a main meal because all I would be doing is washing it out to quickly. She said to let the food digest in the "little" pouch that we have instead of washing it out with your liquid intake making me hungry quicker than i should be. I could be wrong but, I just wanted to pass my dieticians info on to you. Good Luck.
   — Jennifer F.

June 13, 2002
I have found that the hunger feeling is settled if I start sipping on juices or milk between meals (after my 30 minute wait)If I forget to drink juices or water I get hunger too. Hope this helps.
   — Brenda F.

June 13, 2002
Craig, if you are feeling hungery every thirty minutes, maybe increase your protein drink intake and water consumption prior to eating your meal and wait an hour after eating inside of 30 minutes. Also try eating mainly protein for your meal such as chicken or lean meats. They stay in the stomach longer and keeps that full feeling longer. Also really listen to your body. Are you sure you are hungry and its not head hunger. Plus, our bodies go through changes. I am almost 10 months post op and some weeks I feel like I could eat a horse, then the next week I have to force myself to eat. I found that when I eat too many carbs and not enough proteins is when I am hungry. You are doing great and congrats on your weight loss. I looked at your profile and your photos you are already a success. surgery August 21, 2001, down 99 pounds.
   — Celtic B.

June 13, 2002
Craig. I agree with everyone else. Try waiting a little longer before you start drinking again. I find that I can drink at a pretty good pace, so waiting an hour to an hour and half doesn't hinder my fluid intake for the day. I also find that there are times that I am just really hungry. It lasts a couple days and then goes away. Try not to worry about it too much. =)
   — Nichole B.