Question:
I can eat almost anything and everything, why?
I had this surgery because, as I explained to my husband, to prevent me from eating too much, or the wrong types of food. My doctor okay'd my diet of almost anything so at three weeks out I am able to eat one whole McD's sausage biscuit, or 2 slices of Papa John's thin crust pizza. I do not throw up, nor do I dump. I did feel a bit quesy after eating chips and queso and part of a cheese quesadilla. I think it was too much fat. Why after surgery should I be able to control myself anymore than before? I have been fussed at when I posted before that if I knew I was going to eat like that, why did I even have surgery. I honestly thought my body would prevent me from eating like that. What is this tool people keep talking about?! I feel like I do not have one. <P> I am transected, have regular BM's, no pain, no nausea, I guess just a huge pouch. I must say that I eat much less than I used to. I weighed 270 three weeks ago and I am down to 245 consuming between 850 to 1600 cal per day. Protein intake has been difficult as I hate shakes and have tried a few other things all to no avail. I will keep working on that though. If I couldn't keep to the Atkins Diet before, how can I now. Please advise kindly. Thank you!! — Kathryn S. (posted on February 21, 2003)
February 21, 2003
Not sure what you want to hear. You've given all the reasons why this
won't work for you and what you can't do. Maybe I need to be clear on your
exact question.
— Kimberly L.
February 21, 2003
If you've lost 25 lbs in 3 weeks, you must be doing something right.
However, it does sound like you're "pushing it", testing your
limits, self-sabotaging. I recommend you think about why you're doing that,
and some counseling pr'y wouldn't hurt either.
— Angie M.
February 21, 2003
Just so you know, I am 3 months post-op and to this day only eat 400-500
calories a day. You are eating 800-1600 and how long has it been? I am
afraid for you and feel that your doc has given you some very bad advice.
It is not okay to eat chips and all the crap you ate before. It takes time
and you must learn to eat otherwise, in all honesty you wasted your time
doing this surgery!
— Regina C.
February 21, 2003
Well you didn't say what kind of surgery you had, but I encourage you to go
to your follow-up appointment because NOW is the time to talk to your
surgeon about what is happening. Don't be embarrassed by it, there coudl
be a very good explanation. Are you drinking with your meals? If you are,
don't. My surgeon has told our support group if you feel your pouch has
stretched, drink liquids only (chicken broth, water, etc) for a weekend and
your pouch will shrink back.
Good luck to you---your off to a good start though--25 lbs in 3
weeks--that's great!
— Kay S.
February 21, 2003
This is the original poster, Kathryn. I had a lap RNY and was quite
fortunate to have felt great through the entire recovery. I am not trying
to sabotage myself (that I know of :) I am just worried that it didn't
work for me or that I completely misunderstood my part after. I honestly
thought that I would hate greasy, sugar foods and that if I didn't, my body
would prompty reject them thereby giving me major incentive not to eat them
again. <P>
I did at one point 10 years ago (I am 36) weigh 300 lbs and lost 140 of it
by eating correctly (a little too obsessively though) and exercise. I
gained it back from 4 pregnancies and a bad case of post partum.
<P>
I really do want to stop eating bad stuff and start enjoying healthy stuff,
but I don't see much change from the having the surgery. Maybe after I
lose more, I will be seriously motivated. <P>
I was just wondering if this happened to anyone else and if they were able
to overcome their body not rejecting bad for you stuff. Thanks!
— Kathryn S.
February 21, 2003
Hello, First I would like to say that I am a little over 2 months post op,
and have not to this day attempted to eat any of the things you mentioned.
As far as I am concerned, eating that way is part of what got me here in
the first place, so I have embraced the fact that this is a lifetime
change, and the surgery is just helping me achieve longterm lifetime
results. Please see your doctor about any possible problems from surgery,
and if there aren't any, then please seek counseling for your food issues.
This is a total lifestyle change, and your attitude about food must change
too. I know I'm not that far out, and some days are hard, but I feel like
that is never going to change, and I won't let it ruin this once in a
lifetime chance to be more normal, and to feel better, and to hopefully
extend my life and make my life more enriched. Good luck to you...I wish
you only success in your endeavors.....Teresa
— teresa H.
February 21, 2003
Kathryn - I'm 6 months out and in the same position as you. I can say
quite emphatically that I am not trying to sabotage myself. I want this
work. Otherwise, I never would have put myself through it. However, it is
REALLY hard to break the life-long bad habits. It is really hard to not
eat something that I know I love. If will-power was a strength, I wouldn't
have needed this to start with! I don't have answers for you, but did want
you to know that you aren't alone!
— jen41766
February 21, 2003
I'll tell you a 'more than possible' reason' you can eat this way... I
didnt 'find' it out until later on BUT I would have your doctor order an
"Upper GI" test. Chances are you have what is called a 'large'
stoma. I have this. I noticed it from DAY ONE (and PLEEEEEESE ((for those
about life changes, its a tool comments, etc)) I noticed MINE just from
eating jello and one egg. Basically the opening from the pouch is too big;
this causes NO pouch function, your food falls directly into your
intestines; thus lets you eat 'more' than you thought/learned pre op. At
first it might be 'less' cause the intestines is still 'small' but an
intestine will STRETCH and assume the role of a stomach. and you'll be
able to eat more and more;
Its a condition that MOST doctors are aware of; few tell; and if a patient
'gets it' will tell you to 'diet and excerise. They will not fix it. :(
I have been fortunate (hopefully) to have found a doctor who is willing to
insert the fobi ring around the opening, in attempt to make the stoma
smaller - and make the pouch functional; I am scheduled for april 1.
The good side of this is if you have it.. YOU will still continue to loose
weight - your RNY part is still working; I did loose 140 pounds 12 months
post. BUT it has been a stuggle from there out... never feeling full is a
MAJOR thing. I wanted the 'food restrictions' I was a volume eater and I
dont have that its VERY hard. Hopefully this might not be your problem..
If you DID NOT get a transected stomach; could be you had staple
distruption that will let you over eat; and even if you had the
transection, even your tummy can fuse back. So step one.... get the upper
gi test done..
Hang in there; I know how you feel. It is a tool; but if you get a 'tool'
thats 'broke' its hard to use. And if ALL of us were capable of 'mind
changes' NO ONE would have needed the surgery...
— star .
February 22, 2003
Kathryn, for some post-ops, their tastes change and they can no longer eat
fats/sugars and many do dump if they try. But for others, and you sound
like you are one, you can eat anything without feeling ill. But I'm sure
you notice that you eat much less of everything than you did pre-op, and
your surgery is working for you as you have lost weight and are eating less
calories. As for the tool part of it-this surgery is not a miracle
cure-all for weight loss and I wish more surgeons/support groups would
really get this point across to pre-ops that if they do not learn to use
this tool, they WILL be frustrated and push their limits and eventually
gain the weight back. To use the tool properly, we have to learn to eat
better-McDonalds and Papa Johns, chips and salsa etc should be treats and
not a normal way to eat. We have to not drink with or right after meals,
learn to eat protein first, keep the carbs and sugar low, drink tons of
water, eat small amounts and EXERCISE. That is how we use the tool
properly. Those who constantly test the waters and stuff too much food
into themselves and drink with meals and eat the wrong foods are misusing
the tool and eventually they will regain. It is a committment we should
make BEFORE we have the surgery to follow these rules. I would get an
upper GI just to see what is going on with your pouch/stoma to ensure there
are no problems-you cannot have a staple line disruption as you are
transected. If you can eliminate any technical issues, then the rest is up
to you to use this tool correctly. You can do it-its a mind set. If you
do not have a support group, find one. Your not alone and there is comfort
and support out there for you.
— Cindy R.
February 24, 2003
i have the same prob i can eat anything i want in fair size amounts and im
only 5 weeks post op..i was hopin to not be able to eat things bad for me
as well..i dont anyway but i feel the reason im losin slow is coz i can eat
a larger amount then most...18 pounds at 5 weeks
— christine S.
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