2 weeks post-op; why can I eat so much?!

Hi Oregongirl. I'm gonna give my 2 cents worth...I don't totally agree with what some of the previous posters have said. My surgeon allows us to skip the pureed stage and go right to soft foods as long as we chew the food to applesauce consistency. My plan also says to have 1/4-1/2c protein, 1/4-1/2c veggies/starches. Of course protein first, then veggies and if there's any room, starches. Of course carbs should be good carbs from veggies or whole grains, no white carbs. My surgeon actually lectured me at my 3 week appt that I should be eating 1c of food per meal and 1000 cal a day (60-80 grams of protein) and 64 oz of water/fluids. Now granted, I could not eat 1c of food per meal at 3 weeks, but I could easily eat 1/2c. I now eat 1/2-3/4c of food per meal. It's true what the others have said about the nerves being cut and not being able to judge when you are full but every doc has their own plan and makes the pouch different sizes. I was concerned I could eat 1/2 c of food at 3 weeks because I heard so many on here say they could barely eat 1/4 c. But my surgeon reassurred me that everything was fine. As far as being full, look for other signs such as burping, hiccups or runny nose. These are some of the signs people get to signal to them that they should stop eating. For me it is burping. Call your surgeon or Nut if you are worried but if you are following your surgeon's plan, I think you will be okay. Good luck.

Thanks to everyone for all the input, and a special thanks to Yankee Rose. In our program, we only stay on pureed food for two weeks. Our nutritionist told us we didn't need to measure our food or count calories, just to eat until we were full, eating protein first and following up with carbs (including whole grains) if we were still hungry, so that's what I've been doing. I actually asked for a specific amount of food I should be eating and she said I wouldn't have to worry about it. However, it's obvious to me that I should not logistically be capable of eating this much food at this point, especially without getting sick or at least feeling uncomfortable. As for the hunger, I know the experience is different for everyone and that some people do still feel physical hunger after surgery (we had to initial a printout stating that fact, actually), but I was fervently hoping I wouldn't fall into that small percentage. Sadly, it looks like I have. I'm TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED that I am able to eat the same amount I was eating before surgery and that I still feel hungry and that I'm going to have to start counting calories just like before. I sure was hoping for more weight-loss assitance from the pouch.

Hi Oregon girl.  I have the same problem and I'm not losing weight.  I've only lost 13 lbs since Dec. 17th surgery.  I can tolerate 5-6 oz of protien.  I'm so disappointed.  My surgeon told me he would give me a 28f boogie (the smallest one) but when I got home and read the paperwork, he gave me a 34F.  I don't get how people get so full.  I'm so upset.  I wanted to make it easier by having the surgery but it looks like I'll have to starve and diet anyway.   I wish I had 20/20 vision and I could have saved myself $7000.00!!

 

What amounts does your doctor want you on at this point? What you're eating is way too much for a new pouch. The density is wrong and the amounts a bit high. I was on liquids for 3 weeks then soft foods. Liquids were 3 ounces per meal 3 times a day. When I went to soft foods I was still on 3 ounces or a couple tablespoons per meal. Why would you try to put that much in a new pouch - I'm sure the doctor told you how big he made your new pouch? Mine told me it was the size of the end of my thumb or the size of a grape at first. I would never have thought to put more into that small an area than recommended. the salmon is too dense for now, the asparagus can have sharp edges to rip open your new and still swollen pouch. The reason we're given a liquid then soft diet is that our pouch isn't healed up yet. You won't feel anything in your new stomach for 4-6 weeks when the nerves that were cut during surgery heal up. That's the reason we measure for the first month or so. We can't feel full or over full or if we rip out the suture line of our surgical site inside. You can  have serious complications eating the way you are. The least of which is another trip back to surgery. I'm 10 yrs out and I can eat 2 eggs for breakfast but no bread! Ihad salmon last nite and did a little under 3 ounces and a couple bites of green beans. That's all. There's no way I would have been able to do that at 2 weeks out - nor would I have wanted to. The reason we have this surgery is to change our eating habits. Protein forward meals, very small portions and let our body use stored fat so we can lose. Most patients work up to 1/4 cup of food by 3 months out. Only 1/2 cup of food by 6 months out. You're going to have to call your surgeon or nut to find out the portions you need to be eating now. And the right foods.
If you have a handbook from your doc on post op eating and portions - read it again. Your doc may want to check you out to make sure you didn't do any damage. Give him a call and explain your recent meals. Your hunger is head hunger, again we don't feel hunger, full, over full or anything at two weeks out. Head hunger is very real but in your head. Your body has plenty of stores to work with - we don't starve on tiny portions. Find a support group to go to and maybe someone's as far out as you are and you can compare portions and meals. Don't over do it at first, and remember this is a time to learn new eating habits. This surgery is a lifestyle change. Using the first year to do that is key to success.  Hope you're ok - call the doc and see what he says.
Jen 10 yrs post op RNY

 Oh wow I'll be three weeks tommarrow I can drink at least 5 oz of protien sum times 7oz but when it comes to food I hold half of 1 egg with chesse not to much . U really should talk to ur doctor I'm not a expert at this but I think it's to much ... Good luck 

I do have some head hunger, but my physical hunger came back at about two weeks. My pouch will feel horribly empty, and it's about when I'm due to eat again.

Our surgeon's recommendations (I used the same center as the OP) were 2oz protein for breakfast, 3oz protein for lunch, 3oz protein for dinner. And that's our goal starting at two weeks. Obviously, I couldn't hit that at two weeks, but at four weeks, I'm pretty darn close most days.

Personally, I have avoided bread like the plague because it's a personal weakness for me, but nothing is off limits. Protein first, and after that - our NUTs said to limit carbs for various reasons, but that nothing was specifically off limits.

That said, Oregongirl99 - I've found that I can eat more if I eat quickly, so when I slow down, I feel fuller. Also, just eat the recommended protein, and see how you feel. Make sure you don't drin****il a full hour after eating, and then get all your fluids in. If you find you're still hungry, I'd call and talk to one of the nutritionists. I have heard of people who's "fullness" meter isn't working quite well right after surgery because of the nerves that were changed during surgery, so maybe they have suggestions.

BTW: Dr. Folek did my gall bladder surgery last spring, and she assisted with my RNY and was on call one night when I was having issues while in the hospital. I really liked her

When they cut your stomach - the cut the nerves. So you may be very full and not know that. You may be doing some real damage and not know that. The nerves have been cut.
It takes 4- 20 weeks (depends on a person) for all the nerves to heal.
That's why it is so important to measure everything at the beginning.
I remember app 2-3 months from surgery - my full feeling returned. Suddenly I could not eat a lot.   I would feel the food just sitting there.

Please be careful. You do not want to stretch the pouch or the stoma so early on.

 My DR and staff impressed onme the size of a ping pong ball replacing my stomach.  I always visualize that when I serve myself.  I have a hard time eating one small egg let alone two.  Your post brought up a good discussion for newbies and I wish your Dr had given you more information.  You know that everything is relative so he may think you can read his mind.  I have a friend that was sent home with no advice and she had problems even had to go back to hospital with complications.  I have a huge manual that covers nutrition, exercise, menus, nutritional brands, how the surgery is done, etc, etc.  

I may have to go off these boards again because I get really irritated reading some of these things. Everyone needs to realize that every surgeon has a different meal plan and even a different vitamin plan. So we're out of the norm if we can hold down more liquids or more food than you at a certain time? I think not. For instance..some people can hardly hold down liquid a week out..yet I had no issues what so ever holding down everything I put in. I have never been able to not get my liquids..yet some struggle still on a daily basis! So who are you to say what a person should or shouldn't be putting in there just because you can only hold a 1/4 c..doesn't mean the next person can't hold 1/2 c. one egg scrambled with nothing in it makes about 1/4 c..so 2 would be of course 1/2c. I only do one but that's because I add milk for moisture..cheese and turkey sauage. it beefs it up! Last night I ate a good 1/2 cup of thick chili...am I gonna not lose any weight..I think not! Infact I'm ahead of schedule! As for bread..again each surgeon has different plans. I'm able to eat breads..normally once I get to it I don't want to eat it because I'm tired of chewing. And yes..protein, then veggies, then bread. But the fiber helps me with bowel movements..so maybe that's why alot of people have issues. I've not had one problem with constipation since I've had surgery, yet I read time and time again about it. I'm sorry to vent..but it just frustrates me that people think there is only one way to do this..and only one way to eat..and that's not true!

Oregongirl99..you could only eat 2 eggs prior to surgery? Girl I could eat 4 or 5..lol! If you feel uncomfortable about how much you eat..call your doc, because he's gonna know best what he wants for you to do. Personally mine say I need to learn the full feeling..learn the signs, so I don't have to live out of a measuring cup. Ask your doc about your actual feeling of hunger. It could be in your mind honestly! I've caught myself thinking I'm hungry at night, but really it's from boredom and that was my normal time to graze. It's not only a physical change, but a mental one as well. Like I said above..I've had no feelings of discomfort or nausea since I had surgery..and that's ok. I don't freak about it because you know what..my numbers are moving down and that's all that matters! I hope the best for you..call your surgeons office!!!

You might have to learn the art of eye rolling and clicking right on by - don't go though - it's good for an alternative view to be presented sometimes, although it doesn't always make you popular !!!