First off, hello to everyone. I have been on OH awhile, but have not been on boards in awhile. My best to everyone, and continued success.  I am concerned because I feel that I am eating more than I should be. I am almost 5 months post-op (I had open RNY), but even as early as 3 months, most times I eat I don't feel full after eating just a little. According to the plan I was given at hospital, after 6 months, half of a sandwich can be a meal, but I can eat a whole slice bread sandwich now, as long as I eat slowly, and this even with taking sips of water every once in a while between bites. Another example is a small size swansons salisbury steak TV dinner. I can actually manage to eat the entire salisbury steak, as well as, the small mashed potatoes serving that comes with it. I also don't feel any pain afterward.  The only time I experienced some trouble was after eating one of those TV dinner meals, and also sampling some food that someone brought home not long after it. I then felt sick, bloated, and weak, and ended up throwing up. Other than that time, I eat as I mentioned, and do feel full eventually. I am certainly not eating as much as I did pre-op, but still think more than normal for after this surgery.   Is this normal? I have an appointment with my surgeon this week (Thursday), so I will of course be mentioning this, but wanted to also know what anyone else thought. I mentioned this to my friend who also had open RNY, and she said it doesn't sound right, and even very soon after her surgery she was feeling full after a very small amount of food. Thats how I thought it should be for myself!!! Don't they say like only a few tablespoons of food can fit in new stomach??? I don't get it! Sometimes I think the surgeon may have mistakenly left my new smaller stomach a little bigger than he should have, or I worry that somehow my old and new stomach pouch reconnected itself, lol. I know that sounds silly, but I read an old post here once where that actually happened to someone. She had been concerned 'cause she fealt she was able to eat more than she should. Surgeon kept telling her on every visit that she was fine, but she kept insisting something didn't seem right, until he agreed to let her get testing,and they discovered that it was as if she never had the surgery because of the reconnecting of stomaches. She eventually needed a revision.  I have actually lost weight. 75 lbs. in now nearly 5 months, so that can't be it right?  but I also experience these long gaps of no weight loss, as much as 3 weeks before more pounds come off. Well anyways, sorry to go on and on, but trying to let you get a full understanding of what I have been experiencing. So can anyone shed some light on this, have you heard of this happening, think it sounds wierd?

I don't think that you have anything to worry about right now.  At 5 months out your pouch will hold more than it did before.  Those TV dinners aren't really that much.  The meat is about 2-3 oz unless you are eating the XXL ones.  But they do have many calories and sodium in them.   There will be days were you feel like you are eating like a pig and then the next you can hardly eat anything.  So just stay on the lookout for that pattern.  As far as eating a sandwich, the carbs in the bread make you eat more so be careful.  You may want to try to eat the "sandwich" in a wrapped lettuce cup.   You DON'T want to eat until you are full, you only want to eat until you are satisfied.  Meaning that you should stop when your tummy feels comfortable...but not overstuffed.  It's still about learning how to eat so don't be afraid to test the waters, but don't go overboard.   You should finish your meal within 30 minutes, anything over that is considered grazing.  At least that is what my dr's plan tells us to do.  I am very content in that 30 minutes.  Maybe you should try to time your meals and see if this doesn't help.  Listen to your pouch...it will let you know when it's happy.  When I hit my comfort level when eating, my nose starts to run and I know that i'm done eating.  That sounds strange but a lot of us have little things that our bodies do to let us know to put that fork down.  I hope this helps you.  Take care. Moni

Thanks for your reply Moni. It does help, and very good to know. I'll keep it posted on my page as to what my surgoen says on it, but you gave me something to think about. I appreciate it and wish you the best.

Have you tried keeping track of what you're eating? I like fitday.com (it's free). It lets you see how many calories, grams of fat, protein, carbs, etc. I find that when I eat a lot of simple carbs I am hungrier and eat  a LOT more than when I stick with protein.  I am about a month ahead of you and can eat a lot too but when I look at it compared to how I ate before surgery, there is no comparison. Sounds like the weight is coming off at a great rate, you must be doing something right.  Oh - I also only weigh myself once a month so it is entirely possible that my weight loss is irratic like yours. It feels like it is. I will feel the same for 2-3 weeks and then suddenly feel smaller. It's weird. Good luck!!

Thanks Kim. I appreciate the help and advice. Much to think about, and I'm gonna check out the site. My best to you.

Hi, You seem to be losing OK. My date is 11/15/06 and you've lost much more than I have. You mentioned that you are taking sips of water while eating and eating slowly. My surgeon says absolutely no drinking with eating as this washes the food through the pouch's opening and lets you eat more. The rule is nothing to drink for 30 minutes before or after meals. Also, if a meal takes longer than 20 minutes, then he considers that grazing, which is a no-no. Hope this helps

Thanks Kylie. I was under impression that eventually you no longer had to wait on the water thing. I also don't really drink that much during meals, but I probably shouldn't be doing it at all. I appreciate the advice, it does help. I wish you continued success.

First and foremost - contract your nutritionist.  I'm pre-op - ONE WEEK TO GO!!! But - taking sips with the bread will stretch your pouch out - which could account for why you can eat more without a problem. I've heard you can go back on liquids for a week - shrink your pouch back down and then start again.

Hey Susan! Congrats! I pray that it all goes well for you and you have a speedy recovery. It may be a little rough at first, but hang in there, it gets better, and you're gonna feel great! I'm gonna look into what you said, sounds interesting. Thanks so much for the advice. Much love to you.

Have you tried  to NOT drink at all with your meals?  I know it sucks, I HATE it.  I did not listen to my DR at first, just because it was so hard to do, but it really does make you feel more full & for much longer.   I was drinking a little sip every few bites before & kept eating  more than I was suppossed too, but once I quit drinking at all & waiting at least 15 minutes after eating to start sipping water I found I did not eat as much or as often. Also I went to see my Dr on the 5th of this month & he told me to only eat 3 times a day & each meal only being 4 oz of PROTEIN, like meat, chicken, eggs, fish or cheese. It's hard, but does fill me up faster & I'm loosing at a faster rate than when I was eating 4-5 times a day. As far as your weight loss goes, you seem right around where everyone who had surgery 11/06 is.

Yeah I'm gonna have to quit that drinking with meals habit, and I do need to increase my protein intake. Thanks for the advice. Your weight loss is fabulous! Congrats and much love.  

Everybody has already given good advice so I wont repeat what they said. You said you can eat a whole sandwich if you eat slowly - typically we are given a meal time... depending on the surgeon they range 15-30 mins.... mine is 20 minutes long... after 20 minutes if I am still eating it is considered grazing. We get a lot of rules to follow post-op and its important to make sure to follow them all.  If you cut out those few small sips of water during a meal you may notice a huge difference. I will take a few small sips when eating if I am eating out at a resturant... I do not do it any other time. I notice a difference in the amount of food I can eat as well as a big change in how long I feel full from that food. I was told not to drink 30 minutes before/after of eating... I stop the 30 minutes before but will wait at least 45mins sometimes an hour after before I drink again. If I still feel full I will not drink because then a short while later I will be able to eat again.  As for 1/2 a sandwich being a meal... my surgeon said his goal was for a 1/2 sandwich and soup to be satisifying post-op... I am 9 months out and definately wouldnt consider 1/2 a sandwich a meal... especially since my meals are to be protein/fruit/veggie and lastly a starch/grain... all well balanced. Depending on the sandwich (I try and stick to wraps, thin sliced breads etc) I could eat 1/2 and then something like salad, soup, fruit etc.  Hopefully this will help some!

I'm gonna keep a better track on the water thing and see if it makes the difference. Everything said so far makes a lot of sense. Thank you Jennifer and congrats, your weight loss is amazing. Much love and hugs to you.

I would definitely ditch the drinking when eating.  I am 29 days out and finally advanced to purees yesterday and had to start the no drinking with eating thing and it is so hard!  Another habit to break!  I don't think your stomach is any bigger than it should, I think the water is washing it thru too fast and you are just able to consume more.  I imagine once you stop drinking you'll be satisfied a lot sooner.  Congrats on the weight loss!  You are doing fantastic and will probably drop even more with the changes you make!

Thank you Chris and congrats to you too, you're also doing fantastic! and I agree about Paula Deen.  Much love to you.