Question:
3 weeks post-op and I eat more than I thought I could

I am not satisfied on a couple tablespoons of food. Last night I ate a small tv dinner and was not even full. I am terrified my pouch is stretched already. Is this too much food?    — Kathey S. (posted on May 7, 2005)

May 7, 2005
Kathy, What type of surgery did you have? Your pouch will not strectch this early in your process. Eat 3 small meals a day drink lots of water, even if you have to sip all day. Eat protein first & stay away from carbs. Where did you have you surgery? Our doc's have us on pureed foods for the first 6 weeks. Every Doc is different. What kind of foods are you eating? Let me no a little more about you & I will try & help you out. I am 14 months out from surgury & have been there. Don't be afraid you will make it.
   — Marilyn C.

May 7, 2005
Hey I'm not sure what is going on, as in what kind of surgery you had, but if your only 3 weeks out, I don't think you should be on solid food, yet especially what the tv dinners are made of..When I was 3 weeks out I was just now getting on mechanical soft foods, like oatmeal, mashpotatoes, etc..We all go thru the stage mentally, when we are trying to learn 'when' we are full..mentally you may not be..but physically you are, you need to have protein, water, protein, water...I am only 6 months out now, and I am on regular food, but I eat 6 small meals a day, I have a protein shake first think in morning, and then, I make premade bags of 'serving' size of like pretzels, popcorn, dry cereal, they have new cereal now, and then I eat one of the bags, around 10am or so, then about 12 I do another protein shake, and about 2 or so have another bag..then I'll eat a complete meal, in the evening around 5 or 6 like chicken breast, vegetables, etc..and then get another snack like s/f pudding in evening. While drinking my crystal light thruout the day. Right now I think it's more mental for you, just slow down, talk to your doctor, or doctors nurse, and they will let you know exactly where you need to be at. I hope the best for you.
   — Desi1027

May 8, 2005
Hi Kathy, I wanted to let you know that there is a wonderful website out there from Barbara Thompson, who wrote one of the weight loss books, http://www.wlscenter.com/NLArchive/may_1_2005.htm Just highlight it and put it into your browser address. Also Princess Splenda on the OH web site has an essay about the rules of the pouch. These will both help you immensely. Do not over eat. Some of us have a definite discomfort or pain when we overeat and some of us don't. At three weeks out your stomach could still be suffering from the shock of the surgery and you will not be able to tell when you are full. I know even at 7.5 months out I still want to eat more than I should. My brain is having a tough time being retrained. But I know if I follow the 1/2 Cup rule, I will do better. At this stage you should be drinking protein shakes and eating soft foods. At this stage you are most likely having head hunger and also thinking that such small portions are starving you. Well I went through that too, and you are not starving. My doc said three small meals a day and lots and lots of water. At least 64 oz everyday. The more you drink the more you will lose. Also exercise. Walking around the house to begin with and building up your stamina so you can walk a mile or at least 30 min. a day. This is very important. Please remember new sutures can be pulled out if stressed enough. Altho at this point they probably won't. I was very careful not to put anything in I shouldn't have because I was afraid I would ruptture the new staples. My paranoia, but it kept me eating less. I have lost 63 pounds and altho it isn't as much as some, I started at 240.5 so I am losing slower. Use this period to retrain you thinking about food. As long as you get your protein and vitamins and liquids each day, you will be fine. God Bless you on this wonderful journey you have embarked on. There are a lot of sites off of OH that will help you know what you should and shouldn't be eating. good Luck. JO
   — Jo Marie M.