Question:
Is this normal?

I had an open DS 12-16-03 and have lost about 30lbs so far (I started at about 270), Im feeling like im not losing as much as others with the same stats and, I am able to drink water fine, but I noticed that I am able to eat quite a bit of food. I had about 1/2 a mcchicken sandwich (no mayo) a chicken nugget and a few fries--is this too much??? Granted it took me about an hour to eat it, but I didnt feel full or anything. Also I still havent been able to break the habit of drinking while i eat -- is this bad? I dont have any pain or discomfort, so im not sure what the big deal is...    — Amanda E. (posted on January 24, 2004)

January 23, 2004
I had my DS 7 months ago and no you are not eating to much and 30lbs in a little over a month is a great weight loss seeing that you are able to eat a good amount. You are doing great about the drinkng while you eat I have done that all along as well with the DS surgery it is not a problem since we have a larger stomach capacity. We can eat more than the RNY pts but do not absorb as much of what we do eat. SO for being a little over a month out you are doing Great!!! Do you post on the DS Forum in this site??
   — Kelly M.

January 24, 2004
Amanda, Girlfriend! You're doing great! Thirty pounds the first month is great progress. You will probably have your first plateau here pretty soon, too - don't stress it. It's normal. It's just giving your body a chance to catch up. You know - everyone is different on how much they're able to eat - and the quantity that you ate over an hour's time is not in the least out of line. You must eat to lose with the DS! Hopefully you are eating something at least every two hours or so... Hey - please feel free to email any time. I'm a DS post-op - 18.5 months out, I've lost 188 lbs so far - still losing, slowly, but still losing. The DS post-op life is nothing short of fabulous. Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

January 24, 2004
Amanda sounds like your doing great to mebut...... if you want to lose at a faster rate you really need to QUIT drinking with your meals. The reason being is the liquid washes the food out of your pouch. That is why you get hungary faster. I know it is VERY hard to Not drink with your meals. As a matter of fact it has been the hardest thin for me through all of this. I would say aside from vitamins ans protein the NO DRINKING rule (at least 1/2 to 1 hour after you eat) IS THE MOST IMPORTANT> Jenniffer Meinecke Open RNY roximal 4.08.03 382.3 1.24.04 247 Missouri
   — Jonesin

January 24, 2004
First, you must set a time limit when eating. Your eating habits (1 hour) is what my doctor calls "gazing". He states if you can't finish what you have on your plate in 20 to 25 mins STOP EATING IT!. You should not be taking longer then 20 - 25 min. to eat any food.
   — Linda R.

January 25, 2004
Hi there, I am just wondering why you are eating the food you mentioned (1/2 a mcchicken sandwich (no mayo) a chicken nugget and a few fries). Fried foods are so bad for you, have lots of calories, and are part of the reason we got to the point of needing surgery. Your weight loss looks great to me, but it seems in the long run, your food choices may catch up with you! Good luck! ~~K~~
   — MissKimberly

January 25, 2004
The original poster mentioned she had the DS, so she's not as limited in her fat intake like an RNY post-op. Also, it is my understanding that since DSers still have the pyloric valve it is OK for them to eat and drink at the same time. Since I do not have the DS, maybe someone who did can step up here, but I'm just going on some of the things I've read about that type of surgery.
   — Ali M