(No subject)

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I got a private email from someone from another list who was

nervous about big changes in eating habits after the DS. Here is a

portion of my reply, and I was wondering if my experience is the norm

or the exception.

>>...Don't worry about big eating changes after surgery. Within 6

months your stomach will increase in size to allow you to eat a

regular sized adult meal, and in the meantime, you won't feel

physical hunger very much. Eventually you'll be back to eating

pretty much what you want, except you'll eat your protein first. If

you don't get enough, hopefully your body will crave it and you'll

find yourself eating it and wanting it more than chocolate (my own

personal downfall!)! The big changes don't really seem so big. It's

hard to describe, and I didn't really understand it before, but now I

do.

Here's an example: last Friday my family and I were driving to

Portland to see Dr. McConnell for my two week post-op appointment.

On the way there we stopped at a Mcs for lunch. In the past my

order would have been a double quarter pounder with cheese, super-

sized. And in the past I would have inhaled the fries first, because

fries and I had a very intimate relationship (lol). This time I knew

there was no way I'd ever finish even a child-sized burger, so I

ordered a small Chicken Nugget meal.

I got six nuggets, a small order of fries, and a small 7up. I

ignored the pop, forgot the fries, all I had eyes for were the

nuggets. Then I realized the batter coating didn't look appealing to

me, and I couldn't envision my stomach happily digesting the deep-

fried coating, so I peeled it off. I could only eat four nuggets,

then I was full. I did not feel deprived, just a little annoyed at

having extra food that I no longer had any interest in eating. So my

husband ate the last two nuggets.

Eventually I realized that I hadn't even said hello to the fries,

so I put a couple in my mouth, but they really didn't do anything for

me. The magic was gone, and I didn't miss it. The kids were

ecstatic, because they got the fries. I never did finish the 7up. I

prefer water these days. Weird, but true. I don't know if I'll

still feel the same way a month from now, but I'm enjoying the

freedom from food.

There's an old line that goes: Man must eat to live, not live to

eat. That's what it really means when you hear a DS patient say

they're " on the other side " . Now we eat to live. We still enjoy the

food, but now there's room to enjoy life as well. And maybe a few

games of ball with your son?...<<

I've already sent off the email, but now I'm wondering if I should

send another to clarify if my experience is unique or not. And I'm

also wondering if I got the part about stomach expansion correct. It

usually is about 6 months, right?

Thank you all,

Hugs,

Shelly