Question:
AM I NOT EATING ENOUGH?

I AM 10 MONTHS OUT TOMORROW AND DOWN 92 PDS. YEAH!!!! I'VE ALWAYS CONSIDERED MYSELF A SLOW LOSER BUT I STARTED OUT AS A LIGHT WEIGHT. MY QUESTION IS, I HAD A SCOPE DONE A FEW MONTHS AGO BECAUSE I WAS GETTING NAUSEOUS A LOT AND MY POUCH IS STILL AROUND 2 OZ. I'VE NOTICED I'M EATING EVEN LESS THAN I DID AT THE BEGINNING. IS THIS NORMAL? FOR EXAMPLE FOR BREAKFAST I HAD A PIECE OF BACON AND AROUND 4 BITES OF EGGS. FOR LUNCH WE HAD OUR CHRISTMAS DINNER AT THE HOSPITAL AND I ATE 3 SMALL BITES OF TURKEY, 2 SM BITES OF MASHED POTATOS, 2-3 BITES OF DRESSING, AND 1 BITE OF SWEET POTATOS. RIGHT NOW I FEEL REALLY NAUSEOUS. WHEN I HAD THE SCOPE, THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY STRICTURES. IS THIS ABOUT RIGHT? AND ALSO WILL I LOSE LONGER SINCE MY POUCH HASN'T REALLY STRETCHED?    — sandy V. (posted on December 16, 2003)

December 16, 2003
I'm one that had the same problem, couldn't eat much at all. I still at almost 4 years don't take in much. I think the results are better the longer you eat the small amts.If you don't have a stricture than be happy the tool is working well for you. Best of Luck!! You're doing well.
   — ZZ S.

December 16, 2003
I HAD MY SURGERY ON AUG 6, 2002. I TOO CAN STILL ONLY EAT SMALL AMOUNTS OF FOOD AND LITTLE WATER. BUT, ALL MY TESTS ARE GOOD AND WEIGHT LOSS HAS BEEN BETTER THAN ANTICIPATED. I WAS GIVEN SUPPOSITORIES FOR THE NAUSEA WHEN IT GETS TOO BAD. I WAS SCOPED AND STOMA WAS OPENED TO 15CC WHAT EVER THAT MEANS. HE ALSO REMOVED A STITCH, AGAIN, NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS. I STARTED AT 5 '7 WEIGHING 251LBS. 16 MONTHS LATER I AM DOWN TO 123LBS. I NEED TO STOP LOSING AT THIS POINT. BUT EACH DAY I STRUGGLE TO EAT ENOUGH. ONCE IN A BLUE MOON I REALLY EAT. WELL, ALOT FOR ME. I HOWEVER, FEEL GREAT.
   — patti R.

December 16, 2003
Even though you have done well in losing 92 big pounds... it appears that you maybe arent eating enough protein which will also stall your weight loss and may cause you to top out heavy. It is very important that we feed our muscles and our organs are very important muscles! It is virtually impossible for us to eat enough protein in a post op diet to get in 80-100 grams of protein daily. We would have to literally eat 10-14 ounces of chicken or fish daily to get this in. (solid protein is about 7 grams of protein per each ounce, so 10 ounces of chicken is still just 70 grams of protein) This is why it is so important to supplement our diets with protein shakes and bars at even long term post op stages. I am 29 months post op and still take in a 30-50 gram protein shake or bar combo each day. This boosts me to where I need to be. My energy levels are good, my hair is finally thick and glossy and I am healthy. Protein is crucial for our health. I use either Elite or ProPlete Gold for protein powders and both taste delicious hot or cold. Ready to drink shakes in Worldwide Pure Protein, capuccino flavor is amazing. For bars, Odyssey, Strive and Power Crunch. All are the best tasting of their kind. ciao, Susan Maria www.bariatriceating.com
   — SusanMaria

December 17, 2003
Just -FYI - another member at this site, LaDonna Helmer had those same issues and after months of trying to figure it out, they decided her stomach muscle wasnt moving the food along as it should. She had to have surgery to change the size of her pouch to accommodate. I know it could be other things, but this could also be a possibliity. Since her last surgery she hasnt had any more issues.
   — Kerry R.

December 17, 2003
Eating small amounts is fine but getting in enough protein and calories that way is a challenge. May I suggest you try eating something (protein based) every 3 hours or so(more turkey and less potato)? Or if you can't fit that in, have at least one shake a day to boost your protein intake. Not eating enough food or getting in enough protein is the quickest way to stop the weight loss, so eat to lose! As far as lose longer, its still a calories game and has nothing to do with pouch size. Someone with a 2 oz pouch that grazed all day on high calorie bad stuff would gain if they took in more calories than needed. Then again, someone who ate 5-6 small mini protein based meals would probably keep on losing..its what you put in there/ calories taken in vs. those expended (burned).
   — Cindy R.

December 17, 2003
Do you drink or sip with meals? For some, this can cause nausea. If I get silly and drink too soon, I am miserable. I'm glad my pouch still works after 9 yrs, but I wish I didn't have to abide by the rules I know are right. LOL
   — vitalady