Re: Post Op Freak out

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/20/01 12:01:04 PM, duodenalswitch

writes:

<< I had surgery on 11/08/01. Yesterday was the first day I could eat

60+ gms of protein (that's the good part!). The bad part is that I

could eat an entire Marie Callender's meal..diced turkey with gravy

and mashed potatoes. >>

Anita: That sounds like a very nutritious and delicious meal to me! Now, do

you think you could eat that much at EVERY sitting? Probably not. So, I

honestly don't think that you've stretched your stomach or are sabotaging

yourself. You probably just got particularly hungry. I mean, were you

uncomfortably stuffed afterwards or full?

The strange thing about this surgery is that sometimes I really CAN eat ---

an entire entree. Other times, I get a few bites in and really don't feel

hungry! I think it all does balance itself out. Sure, an entire entree may

seem like a LOT but it really isn't. I don't think it will interfere with

your weight loss unless you are consuming a lot of sugars and such.

Remember: This surgery is LARGELY malapsorptive. Sure, the stomach is

reduced surgically (and I wonder how far one really can 'stretch it' --

although I know the pouch can be stretched). I think this is extremely

doubtful especially if you haven't been able to or haven't wanted to consume

massive quantities of food.

I was able to eat about 4-6 oz from the day I got out of the hospital (three

days after my surgery). I thought I was a MUTANT (and maybe some would still

heartily agree that I am LOL). I asked Dr. Gagner at my three week

appointment whether my stomach was larger than normal or something... He

replied that it was the average size of any post-op DS stomach. My stomach

just healed well and didn't have any adverse reactions to eating! LOL So,

even though I've been able to 'fit' 6 oz in from the get go and now can eat

an entree-sized portion at at least two meals a day, I don't think I've

'stretched' my stomach... If I were conciously overeating (and it DOES become

conscious because it is SO MASSIVELY uncomfortable -- I didn't throw up like

some have but the three times I did eat too much -- oh, it was very

uncomfortable until things started moving along and digesting), then I might

suspect that I've overstretched my stomach.

I mean, it is really next to impossible to get the needed level of protein in

WITHOUT eating an entree sized portion of meat and such (perhaps not always

finishing the carb portions) at at LEAST two of your meals!

Hope this helped relieve your fears somewhat... Enjoy the food -- get that

protein in! Keep up the great work exercising! And .... you'll be losing

and loving it!

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

10 months postop and still feelin' fabu

preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 194 lbs (yahoo!)/bmi 28/size sweet 16 but squeezin' into a 14 (it's a

little more comfortable now! LOL)

[Guest guest]

Anita,

I wouldn't worry if I were you. Some days I can eat more than others, and

some things go down easier, and in greater amounts. The marie callendars

aren't the largest, but ideally you would be a lot better off eating a home

cooked meal than that, all the preservatives could give you a serious gas

attack. I think you will find in the long run, that sometimes things move

through faster and you can perhaps eat what appears to be more. Just chew

thoroughly and stop when you feel satisfied, and remember the protein first

rule.

There are days when I feel like I am an eating machine, and other days when

I can hardly eat anything. I was also significantly ahead of the curve on

foods, by week 3 I was eating week 6 stuff, and so on, month 2 I was up to

pork, hamburger etc. and foods I was not supposed to get until ike week 16

or something? We all recover at our own speed, just try to slow it down and

not get sick.

But don't freak out, definitely not a freak out thing, you should be proud

you can handle a " normal " meal. I mean what do you do when you don't have

time to cook? Frozen meal, I had them a few times a week from month 3-5

while I was taking night classes.

=)

Maya

Post Op Freak out

I had surgery on 11/08/01. Yesterday was the first day I could eat

60+ gms of protein (that's the good part!). The bad part is that I

could eat an entire Marie Callender's meal..diced turkey with gravy

and mashed potatoes. Should I be able to eat a meal in one sitting

(about 30 minutes) at a little over 6 weeks post-op ?? Did I stretch

my stomach ? Should I limit myself to 3 meals a day now that I can

get in about 30 grams of protein in a meal ? (The Marie Callendar's

meal was 29gms of protein) How much will I be eating at 6 months ? I

am still losing weight, but I don't want to sabotage myself early on

or something. I start working out again next week.

Thanks,

Anita

11/08/01 Dr Keshishian

11/08/01 320lbs

12/07/01 294lbs

12/19/01 288lbs

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Anita,

My husband is also 6 weeks post op. (I am 9 months post op) He can

eat more than I can and we had the same surgeon and surgery. I think

the stomach size depends on the original size of your stomach and

since the DS surgery relies mainly on the malabsorbtion for the long

term weight loss you will be fine. My husband is losing at a good

rate and is a little worried about the quantity he is able to eat

too. But, we put it in perspective by comparing what he can eat now

to what he ate prior to surgery. The difference is astounding. Just

try to eat your protien first, and limit the carbs if you are worried

about not losing weight fast enough. I know that for me personally if

I cut back (not eliminate) carbs some my weight loss accelerates,

when I say " cut back " I mean like less than 35 grams of carbs per

meal- LOL, not really low carb but " less carb " . I don't know if they

are available in your area but Boston Market has some frozen dinners

available at the grocery store that taste good (turkey medallions in

gravy w/mashed potatoes) that are high in protien (39g) and not as

high in carbs (10g) that you might try. Anyway, enough of my

rambling. Have faith, your DS will not fail you.

And welcome to post op life!!

& Chuck Latour

-115# & -30# (ish)

> I had surgery on 11/08/01. Yesterday was the first day I could eat

> 60+ gms of protein (that's the good part!). The bad part is that I

> could eat an entire Marie Callender's meal..diced turkey with gravy

> and mashed potatoes. Should I be able to eat a meal in one sitting

> (about 30 minutes) at a little over 6 weeks post-op ?? Did I

stretch

> my stomach ? Should I limit myself to 3 meals a day now that I can

> get in about 30 grams of protein in a meal ? (The Marie Callendar's

> meal was 29gms of protein) How much will I be eating at 6 months ?

I

> am still losing weight, but I don't want to sabotage myself early

on

> or something. I start working out again next week.

>

>

> Thanks,

> Anita

> 11/08/01 Dr Keshishian

> 11/08/01 320lbs

> 12/07/01 294lbs

> 12/19/01 288lbs

[Guest guest]

Hey I just realized my husband had surgery the same exact day as you!

Who was your surgeon? He had his surgery at Kennestone Hospital in

Marietta, GA by Dr. Dennis Jr.

> I had surgery on 11/08/01. Yesterday was the first day I could eat

> 60+ gms of protein (that's the good part!). The bad part is that I

> could eat an entire Marie Callender's meal..diced turkey with gravy

> and mashed potatoes. Should I be able to eat a meal in one sitting

> (about 30 minutes) at a little over 6 weeks post-op ?? Did I

stretch

> my stomach ? Should I limit myself to 3 meals a day now that I can

> get in about 30 grams of protein in a meal ? (The Marie Callendar's

> meal was 29gms of protein) How much will I be eating at 6 months ?

I

> am still losing weight, but I don't want to sabotage myself early

on

> or something. I start working out again next week.

>

>

> Thanks,

> Anita

> 11/08/01 Dr Keshishian

> 11/08/01 320lbs

> 12/07/01 294lbs

> 12/19/01 288lbs

[Guest guest]

,

I had Dr Keshishian at Delano Regional Medical Center in Delano, CA.

They were wonderful! I do love those Boston Market meals, but last

time I tried them it took me hours to just eat the protein..then

again, that was about 3 weeks ago..looks like it's time to try it

again

Anita

11/08/01 Dr Keshishian

> Hey I just realized my husband had surgery the same exact day as

you!

> Who was your surgeon? He had his surgery at Kennestone Hospital in

> Marietta, GA by Dr. Dennis Jr.

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Anita!

I cannot agree more with what said. If you are eating the

protein then do not worry about the amount you can eat. There are

days when I feel like I can eat a horse. But (just like said)

in comparison to what I would eat pre-op, it is nothing. This

morning I did not feel like eating anything but knew I should. So I

am nibbling a protein bar and after 2 bites I am full. Yesterday, I

had 2 eggs and a piece of bacon. Go figure! :-)

And about the carbs? Heh, I cut out a lot of the carbs I was eating

(slice of toast with my breakfast and/or with my lunch, etc.. the

carbs do add up plus they give me bad gas!) and I increased my water

and protein and lost 12 pounds in one week. Three pounds short of

what I lost my first week postie! I was floored.

Good luck and have a Merry, Merry Christmas!!

Liz N.

09/04/01 - 304

11/23/01 - 239

[Guest guest]

Hi Anita -

I know that there is no way that I could eat an entire restaurant meal today

and I am nearly 4 months post-op. Yesterday I had a couple of different

appetizers at a Cuban restaurant. I was able to eat half of each, really

not a huge volume. My breakfasts seem to be my biggest meal. I eat two

eggs, an English muffin, a piece of bacon and as much coffee as it takes to

fill me up (less than a large cup). Last night at dinner I ate eight

small/med. shrimp and a slice of deli ham.

That is pretty typical of what I can eat. I do find that if I am a couple

of hours late for a meal that my stomach has shrunk back a bit and I can't

eat as much. Also, I tend to eat through the meal at a normal pace. If you

take a half-hour to eat, you are emptying out as you go so you will be able

to eat more, I would think.

Working out will really make you feel better. I waited until a couple of

weeks ago to start. I already am feeling the benefits!

Have a happy holiday-

Nick in Sage