[Eileen310]

I am concerned about the functionality of my pouch. Since my surgery on 6/21/11, I have felt ALMOST as though I did not even have the surgery. Of course, I do have the incisions, but I have experienced no "dumping" regardless of what my intake is. On one occasion, I had small quantities of a Wendy's frosty, but this did not cause any problems. I was a compulsive overeater prior to all this, and I often ate way beyond the limitations of fullness. It is difficult for me to determine fullness until it is actually the tight, slightly nauseous feeling of the pouch. I am limiting my intake to protein shakes and soups, but I am finding that the weight loss seems slow. I have lost approximately 11 pounds since my surgery date. Have I already stretched out my pouch? Or is it possible that my stomach was too far stretched to find any "less stretchy" tissue to create my pouch? I have also just begun an exercise routine, so my sedentary behavior could have contributed. I definitely am NOT bingeing, but I find I am obsessing a bit over this. I am sure my husband is sick and tired of the ever present topic of my pouch, so I hope I get some responses to this. I did mention the complete lack of any adverse symptoms to my surgeon, but he said it was nothing to worry about. Am I just being neurotic?

[mlh1119]

I haven't had my surgery yet so I can't speak from experience but I have read a lot about people that don't notice they are full until they hit the nauseous point...Are you making sure that you are eating slow enough? My surgeon recommends it to take 20-30 mins to eat even at the stage that you are in now. Are you following the 30/30 drinking rule? Also, some people do not have 'dumping' so you cannot rely on that to tell you not what to eat...you have to not eat it because it is not good for you not to test to see if you will 'dump' or not.
I hope you find the answers you are looking for and I wish you the best of luck on your journey!

[DocSanae]

You're totally normal.
Just be aware that there are a lot of people who do not experience dumping. Don't stray beyond your surgeon's guidance, nor try your borders. You're too early out yet for that. Just stick to the rules and instructions your surgeon and his staff have given you, as that's the roadway to success.

[hippiechick72]

I just had my sugery on 6/6. I see my incisions, but really hardly any pain. My head says to do more, but I am cautious. My dr. said to remember...you may feel fine on the outside but the healing is going on the inside.Make sure you are getting your protein and liquid intake in. They told me this was crucial for weightloss. You are brave to tempt the pouch, I am glad you didn't dump, but not everyone does. I don't want to take the chance nor do I want to introduce those foods back into my life. Remember, this is just a tool. I know it's hard some days, I struggle too. I am staying off the scale for awhile. I just rely on the fact I am following the rules and I will win in the end. Best wishes to you!

[pretty woman]

Hi Welcome to the Loser's Bench.
I had surgery the end of Jan and haven't dumped ever. Some people don't. But, I would stop eating Frosty if I were you. Why "push the river?" Stick with the rules.
Slow and easy, soft food and protein and water. I am at the gym now, but I am 5 months out. I know by going (and I don't LOVE LOVE LOVE IT) it is helping me promote weight loss.
Good Luck

[kiddiecakes]

Hi and welcome !

I also had surgery the same day as you and I have lost 16 pounds but I couldn't eat at first. You sound completely normal or both of us are insane!LOL! When I met the group of people that I went through the classes with, some have lost less then you mentioned. Some have experienced dumping or started eating the wrong foods. The only issue I have had so far is that I tried shrimp and it just seemed to stick and I had to stop eating. Other than that, I don't think I could even tell you that I had it done. I eat and drink what and when i am suppossed to, but I get worried about eating too much because I don't get a full feeling or feel sick.

I gues we are all different, and I imagine that we have to stick to the rules and once you start really moving you will see the weight fall off! Keep me posted, will ya? It is nice having somebody that had it done the same day and can compare notes! Good Luck!

[goingtobethinin2010]

I would not start pushing the envelope so quickly after surgery. I had my surgery 4-28-10 and my husband had his 5-26-10. I have followed all the rules and at 14 months out am 8 pounds below goal going from 280 to 147. My husband has pushed the rules some what from a few weeks out and he started out at 347 and has lost 119 pounds but is at 228 and needs to lost about 35 more to be at goal. Normally men lose quicker than women and I think he has not because he does not follow the drinking rule and has not since surgery so he eats way more often than I do. If you want to be a complete success follow the rules and you will get all you can out of your surgery.

[MotoCO]

Okay. My question is why the Frosties? Isn't that something that is a no-no? I am on my way to surgery and I had to read the book Before & After and it specifically talks about staying away from sugar and letting that be a "scare" tatic to help you keep in line with your weight loss and weight maintenance.

I am still struggling with lap vs. RNY. I am pretty sure I want the RNY and have less than a week to make my final decision. But stuff like this scares the heck out of me.

[tcgc0114]

I think you are way too soon out of surgery to try foods that probably helped get you heavy in the first place! You have to change your mentality if you want to b successful and make the most out of your new stomach.

And I say this in the nicest way b/c I have been pushing the envelope lately and my pouch was a grouchy SOB yesterday b/c of it. I need to get my head back in the game and stop turning to food when bored.

It takes 21 days to start/change a habit. I find now that I don't crave the junk I used to eat anymore and I get bored easily with food now, so I don't get the "high" I used to.

Stick with the rules - it will be sooooo worth it in the end - I promise!