Pouch too BIG ? Surgery 3-5-04

Hi I wanted to know if anyone else that had surgery in March can tolerate the same foods as me. I can eat 4 oz cottage cheese no problem and I dont have to eat slow. I drink as normal and I dont have to sip. Today I ate a whole banana and felt fine. I read everyones profile and they can only eat one or two bites and feel full. I even accidently had my kids pudding (not sf) and was fine. I go back to the Dr this Monday so Ill ask him but wanted some info from you guys. Thanks and Take care Renee

I am new to this site, and I also can eat bout anything so far without getting sick... haven't pushed my luck to the edge yet and won't ... but I am feeling pretty lucky to not have "dumped" yet. I am also worried that I may not be "normal" but time will tell I guess.. you take care ..Linda

If you don't eat slow, you won't have your fullness "catch up" to you and this will jeopardize your whole recovery. More in the area of building those habits that will help you keep the weight off longterm. Cottage cheese, banana and pudding are all on my "early stage" eating list. I did make a hot cereal substitute that I thought would be fine (Wheatena instead of Cream of Wheat) and felt like I had swallowed ground glass within five minutes. I had agonizing pain between my shoulder blades and threw it up, then gradually settled down. So please be careful. You have had major surgery and cannot possibly be healed. Gano

My Dr. only lets us eat 2oz at a time. I measure that and eat only that. I suggest that you find out how much you are supposed to eat and measure. I am so glad you have not gotten sick yet. I worry about that for myself. I have only eaten what is on the plan though. It takes a few mins for me to register that I am full once I am done eating. Like you said, I would ask the Dr. and see what he thinks. You may have a 4oz pouch. Good luck to you. LaDonna -22

I had surgery on the first and I can eat a whole banana with out any problem. I do have to eat slow. (The banana would take me 1/2 hour.) I havn't tried any sugar, but I havn't had any trouble with anything else. Don't worry to much. Talk to your Dr., they are all different. Good luck!

Renee - it might be just the differences in the doctors. I was concerned too because I found I could eat 4 oz of all my soft foods really easy (cream of wheat, cottage cheese, etc). I was mortified because I hadn't ever felt really really full and I felt like I could eat pretty normal without taking a long time to eat. Well, I asked my doctor and he said it was normal and my pouch was 4 oz. He said when I started eating things like real food - sandwiches, salads and other more bulky things that it would fill up and feel more full to me later. I have eaten chicken Vienna Sausages and some Underwood chicken spread on Wheat thins and felt much fuller than with the other foods in fact, so I know he's probably right. I am just making sure I never feel the fullness, but satiated and at the edge of fullness. I'm getting better at determining I'm full than at first, it's not as obvious to me as before. I think it may depend on the type of surgery as well, as I think from what I remember those with the lap band have a smaller pouch than those with a regular rny. My doc also says, just for info, to eat everything within 15 minutes and not eat after that. The goal is to get the feeling of fullness by then and then let it keep me full for awhile. Can't imagine dragging it out for 30 minutes. Would be impossible! Dina

Dina, Hey You're back!!!!!!!! Yea Boy I took a couple days off the boards and so many things happen. Well sounds like you're doing really good!!!! Glad you are home!!!!!! Betsy