[Nurse2B]

Why is it that I can eat 8 ounces in a setting only 2 weeks post op? And why is it that I could eat more than that if I wanted to? I tried to get to the point that my stomach would say it was enough, but quit at 8 ounces. It was pureed veggie beef soup and was the consistency of apple sauce.

Why is it that my entire middle including my back, is achy and is not comforted by tylenol or lortab? My surgeon who I consulted on this today is saying he wants me to come back again next week to see if he needs to do a scope.

And why is it that I feel like my surgery is going to fail?

I'm so lost feeling. I'm sorry to be so whiney, I am genuinely concerned though. Shouldn't I only be able to handle about 4 ounces right now?

[Nurse2B]

I just read an earlier post. Now I know there's something wrong with me. Some of you said you were only eating 4 oz. even 7 mo. post op. I'm really upset now. I've tested my pouch. Last night I had a drink of my daughters hot chocolate (not sf.) and held it fine. If what everyone has told me is true, then that should have made me dump, or throw up or something, but I get nothing. I did it because I was testing it. Just as I did with the veggie soup today, but nothing happens. I'm really concerned. Why is this different for me? Why isn't this working? I can't believe I've gone through all of this pain to have this surgery, put nursing school on the line and it doesn't work.

[Janice Carol]

Anything that is the consistency of soup will slip right thru the pouch and not sit there and make you feel full. I can handle 8 oz. of soup at a time but not 8 oz. of food with consistency. And you back pain is probably from the position they had your body in when you had surgery. I have seen post on here from people who where 2 months out and still having the back pain. You are still healing and it will take a while. Try a heating pad or for me I used the Icy Hot back patches and they worked wonders. The one I got lasted up to 24 hours. But they do hurt when you pull them off. LOL Hope you get to feeling better.

[gidget]

You're not being a whiny baby!! We all had the same concerns and questions that you do. Janice is right--our pouches can hold way more pureed/liquid volume than solids. I am almost 7 months post op and still cannot handle more than about 3-4 ounces of solid food. I also have never dumped (sometimes I wish I would), but then I have never eaten much sugar or fat. Everyone is different in what they tolerate and don't. Don't worry or stress yourself out over this. Your new "tool" WILL work, and your surgery will be successful. As for the back pain--your body is still healring and you may have "guarded" your surgical area, and in doing so, may have affected another area of your back. It also could be some gas from the surgery. Take a deep breath and give it time. Keep us updated on how you're doing.

[Nurse2B]

I appreciate your encouragement. I totally feel lost sometimes. Like I'm not going to ever get this weight off. Like this surgery didn't work. Honestly, I'm feeling blue too. It's just alot. I'll keep trying of course to do this. It's just not how I expected things to be.

[clancythecamper]

I think we all worry about this at some point and when we start losing, we worry we will stop losing and when we get to goal we worry we'll gain it back! So, congrats, you're normal

The texture of the foods will greatly vary the amounts your new pouchy holds.

As far as dumping, you never really know what will dump and what won't and the fact that you tolerated it fine yesterday doesn't necessarily mean you'll tolerate it tomorrow - trust me on that one!!!

Everyone is different but my theory was that I didn't want to test my pouch (although we all do to different degrees) I assume I will dump sugar and this has served me well. Over time I've learned I can handle up to about 8 grams of sugar in a serving but more than that makes me sick. I also hurl rich foods but not fried foods I think it is most helpful to follow the rules of the pouch. Let them guide you on the road to the success you are seeking and just take one day at a time.

[Perfesser]

At three weeks, on the pureed stage, I could eat a whole bowl of soup. It's basically liquid, so it goes right on through. When you graduate to solids, you'll start to feel it build pressure, but as close as you are to the surgery right now, pressure in your pouch could be exquisitely painful!!

You're right on track, and completely normal (operation recovery wise. I don't know you well enough yet to extend that to the rest of you! )

CT

[DocSanae]

Soup slides through, so yes, you'll be able to get in 8oz even more at your stage. If you tried to eat beef, you probaly won't be able to hold more than 2-3oz.
As for the dumping, not everyone dumps. Or, you may not dump from the particular whatever, something else will make you dump.
Your ???? and feeling lost are quite normal feelings at your stage. Everyone goes through this.
(((((((HUGS))))))

[Trulykath]

are you sure you know what dumping is?? A lot of people think dumping is puking....and it's not....it's the sugar shock your pacreas gets, as any sugar we digest goes STRAIGHT into the intestines....it's cramping, sweating, racing heart, light headedness....I GOTTA LAY DOWN stuff.....

Some of us puke.....some of us dump......some of us can eat more than others.....the MOST IMPORTANT thing for you now is KNOW YOUR PLAN and stick to it....as long as you do this....AND TRUST ME....I'm 18 months out and RELIGIOUS to my plan to this day.....YOU WILL LOSE....I promise!!

[not quite Barbie]

The "blues" is one of the phases after surgery. You are mourning the loss of your best friend "food". You are wondering if it was all worth it. Normal, normal, normal. Once the pounds start falling away, and you can start eating solids you will feel better.

As Kath said, you may not recognize what dumping is yet, or you may be one of those that won't dump. For me, dumping usually starts with a slight headache, then depending on how far overboard I went, I may just get a slight nausea or I may have rapid heartrate, sweating, need to lie down and sleep for hours. I only puked twice and that was from trying to eat too fast and too much.

So how's your hunger? Most of us found that we didn't get hungry at all and had to remember to eat. Take advantage of that to eat only what you need to get your protien in and start practicing the rules.

Hang in there!