Question:
Is my pouched stretched and am I in danger of eating so much??????

Hello, I had LAP RnY October 2,2001 and down 140 pounds but have not lost anything in the past 4 months. My concern is I am hungry ALL the time and I KNOW I am eating too much. I eat until I feel full but it is ALOT.. For example: I can eat 1 whole piece of chicken breast, 2 scoops of brown rice, 2 scoops of veggies and a piece of garlic bread.. I don't dump on ANYTHING at all. I know I am eating too much but I just feel hungry all the time and I don't know what to do to make myself feel full :( I'm not gaining any weight but not losing either. I don't have any insurance now so I cannot go to a doctor, someone please help with suggestions. One more thing, after I am done eating I get this aching pain right by my belly button and I usually have to use the restroom within 20 minutes of eating..    — Michelle G. (posted on November 9, 2002)

November 9, 2002
Michelle, My first question to you would be, are you transected. I was done 2 months after you, and there is NO WAY I could eat as much as you. If you were not transcected, I would be concerened that you had staple line disruption. If you ARE transcected, then I would like to know how long it takes you to eat that much food. Last night, I was able to eat a 1/3 of a chicken breast (very large on the bone) and about 2 tablespoons of green beans, and 2 small red potatos. Big difference from what you describe that you are eating.
   — Vicki L.

November 9, 2002
I'm not as far out as you are... but one thing I'm trying to do right now.. is make sure I don't eat to full, but rather that I eat enough.. to satisfied.. and eat REALLY slowly.. so that I know where that point is. It takes a lot of thinking and being strict with yourself.. its not easy, and I'm not perfect. But.. you might try eating half of what is on your plate and walking away.. or eating to just make sure the hunger goes away for a bit? <br><br> I've also heard that you can get your pouch back where you might want it by going back to basics... protein first.. and little or no carbs.. only whole wheat and/or some fruit or veggies. And in the end, you might be eating just enough to maintain.. which is ok for now.. let your body settle into its new place.. and then jump start your weight loss again by lowering your calories and doing the basics.. PROTEIN, WATER, EXERCISE and low fat.. few carbs... try fitday.com.. or something similar to acutally track what you're eating. At fitday, you can put in your weight and stuff and they will help you to find out how many calories you can eat. Good luck.. and WOWOWOW! 140.. fantastic weight loss....
   — Lisa C.

November 10, 2002
I would first check out the transected issue-call your surgeons office and ask if you don't know. If you are not transected, ensure that you do not have a staple line disruption which is allowing food to go into your old tummy. Now, if you are transected, how much time does it take for you to eat that entire meal? i know that I eat steady for 5-10 minutes, put the plate down and then 10-15 minutes later I can eat more if I choose to. Is that what you are doing? If so, I'm learning that after that first bout of eating, to get up and put the rest of the meal away for another time, or I WILL eat it! There is a difference between feeling full and not feeling hungry. Think about it-do you really have to feel full or just satisfied? In other words, your striving to no longer be hungry. One way to accomplish this is to eat all the time-have something every few hours, but make good choices, like 1/2 a large apple, or 4 crackers with cheese, a scrambled egg with melted cheese on it, 1/2 of a chicken breast with 1/2 scoop of rice and veggies, 2 cups of microwave popcorn,1/2 of a meat sandwich, a small salad with chopped meat or tuna in it,a protein bar, protein shake..etc. If you eat anytime you feel the slightest hungry, make good choices, and eat until satisfied, you will probably gain more control over your diet and perhaps lose a little more. Also, do you exericse and get in plenty of water? Exercise DOES move the weight along, and builds muscle which burns calories more efficiently. Good luck.
   — Cindy R.

November 10, 2002
Michelle, I, too, am worried about pouch stretching. I had surgery on June 13, 2001, and went from 278# to 144#. I have recently gone back to 170#, and this scares me to death. I've started excercising, and I think I keep telling myself that the weight is due to "muscle" but I know in my heart that it's my eating habits.for a long time I was strict: NO BREADS OR SWEETS, but I've recently gone back to "treating" myself and you can see where that's gotten me. I know that I should up my proteins and drink more water which is what I've been doing for a week now, but I just wanted you to know that you are not alone.
   — Lauren M.

November 11, 2002
Are you drinking with your meals? If so that could be the problem
   — Kami C.