Question:
Do any of you ever feel like you didn't have surgery?

My stomach is so much like the old one that I wonder if I had surgery... although I know that I did. I can still eat just about anything and considering that my stomach is suppose to be the size of my thumb.... I think I can eat more than I should be able to eat... although I make a conscious effort to just put a little food on the plate and stop eating when it is gone... even though I know I could eat more. Am I by myself on this? Think my pouch is messed up already?    — Eleanore Davis (posted on September 22, 2003)

September 22, 2003
You are not alone. I am very much like you and can eat almost anything, but have elected to be a vegetarian since I wasnt eating much meat before surgery> I have noticed though my mind controls how much I eat. Say for instance if I use a dinner plate and pile food on it. I will try my best to finish it all(even though I won't be able to)but now I use salad plates or soup plates and have found that when I use them, I feel satisfied even though I could pile some more food in. Myself personally I KNOW that my stomach isnt the way it was before because my food will get stuck if I try to overeat, and sometimes I'll vomit, and its been 16 months since my surgery. I have also noticed that if you dont eat 3 meals a day, and instead only eat 1, you'll be able to eat a little more later on in the evening. Also, I can still eat sweets(I wasnt a real sweet eater before surgery) and SOMETIMES not get sick, I guess it just depends. One day I'll eat a cookie and feel fine, the next I'm hunched over sweating feverishly thinking that this is my last day!lol...So dont feel bad...I think when it boils down to it, everybody's body is different.
   — Miko P.

September 22, 2003
I could have written this exact post. I can tolerate every type of food I've tried, bread and rice. I have never dumped, although I have also never tested my limit on sugar. I rarely feel full, but like you I only put small portions on my plate. Every once and awhile something will happen and I am very aware that I had this surgery. I know I can't depend on my pouch for weight lose, it the choices I make.
   — Sarahlicious

September 22, 2003
Hi, I am now 8 mths post op and I feel like that I can eat much more than usual sometimes too, but also if I overeat I tend to throw up! I know that our pouch does stretch out somewhat and that you are able to eat more as you go along so try not to woryy too much but if you think that you have stretched out your pouch too much then call your surgeon, he should be able to run some tests to find out if it has or not! Good luck to you!
   — Melodee S.

September 23, 2003
Hi. I have the same exact problem. I am only 2 months post-op though! I can eat a whole frozen entree (lean cuisine Or WW Smart One) and don't feel "full". I can also eat a whole sandwich/hamburger. I always stop eating before I am full because of guilt. I have only lost 32 pounds (because I have gained 1 pound back). I have never got sick and can tolerate everything I eat. I am going to call my surgeon and ask if he made my pouch small enough. I don't feel like I have had surgery either!
   — Kristi A.