Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group
Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.
Over the last 6 months I keep hearing everyone saying how hard it is to eat more than a little bit after surgery and how they get full easy, and if they eat too much they feel ill. NONE of this happens to me! It is taking straight will power to stay under 1000 kcals per day! I've only felt.... well, a bit off, once... and that was when the chicken I ate was too dry (I think). After this meal I was hopeful that it was my sign of being full... but now I am not so sure.
At my 2 week follow up I told the surgeron I was worried because it was too easy, and his response was to tell me to just do what I am suppose to do and it will be fine. That made total sense at the time... but the more the days go on and the more I see I have no help with the amount I can eat, then how did surgery help me?
If I could "just do what I'm suppose to do" I'd have never been fat to begin with! The reason I had surgery was to get help with portion control while I work my way thru to a healthier lifestyle.
Maybe I am worrying for nothing... I hope I am worrying for nothing! But right now, I swear, the ONLY thing that is keeping me under 1000 kcals per day is shear will power! I eat small portions because I am suppose to, NOT because that's all I can eat!
I am an emotional mess right now... and I even understand this too is normal, so I am working thru it. I have a call in to my therapists to talk to her about this part, and I sent an email to my NUT (Would have called, but its too late). But I need input from you guys too!
I feel like I'll be the one this does not work for... I know its good that things have gone well for me with surgery and recovery... But I really hoped that a little bit of food, especially less than 3 weeks out... would feel like enough. And it does not... I know some of this is my head... but why don't I ever feel full? Shouldn't I? Wasn't that the point of making my pouch so small?
>
I will be ok.... I'm just made that way :) But right now, I am NOT ok because I feel like I'm going to fail... I don't know how long I can operate on shear will power! Sometimes I get this crazy idea to eat till I feel full so I know it works, silly I know! But sheeshe, I am desperate!
(yes, becca is having her first real melt down!) LOL!
At my 2 week follow up I told the surgeron I was worried because it was too easy, and his response was to tell me to just do what I am suppose to do and it will be fine. That made total sense at the time... but the more the days go on and the more I see I have no help with the amount I can eat, then how did surgery help me?
If I could "just do what I'm suppose to do" I'd have never been fat to begin with! The reason I had surgery was to get help with portion control while I work my way thru to a healthier lifestyle.
Maybe I am worrying for nothing... I hope I am worrying for nothing! But right now, I swear, the ONLY thing that is keeping me under 1000 kcals per day is shear will power! I eat small portions because I am suppose to, NOT because that's all I can eat!
I am an emotional mess right now... and I even understand this too is normal, so I am working thru it. I have a call in to my therapists to talk to her about this part, and I sent an email to my NUT (Would have called, but its too late). But I need input from you guys too!
I feel like I'll be the one this does not work for... I know its good that things have gone well for me with surgery and recovery... But I really hoped that a little bit of food, especially less than 3 weeks out... would feel like enough. And it does not... I know some of this is my head... but why don't I ever feel full? Shouldn't I? Wasn't that the point of making my pouch so small?
>
I will be ok.... I'm just made that way :) But right now, I am NOT ok because I feel like I'm going to fail... I don't know how long I can operate on shear will power! Sometimes I get this crazy idea to eat till I feel full so I know it works, silly I know! But sheeshe, I am desperate!
(yes, becca is having her first real melt down!) LOL!
I know what you mean about not feeling full. The only way I know to stop is I start burping. I am 7 1/2 weeks out and tonight I measured 2 oz of chicken, 1.5 oz pinto beans and put broccoli and onions on the plate that came to a total of 5.5 oz. I did not even start burping! I have also asked if this is normal and was told to follow the program. I have to say, even eating that much is a LOT less than what I was eating before. A LOT less! So, I think we have to be very in tune with our body, listen closely for soft cues, chew the dickens out of everything and it will work. But please don't eat till you can't anymore, you will hurt. I have overeaten once that I can remember and was uncomfortable (not to the point of hurting and don't want to get there) when I was rushing and did not take time to slow down and pay attention. Don't panic or rush what you are eating. You are progressing a lot faster than my program allowed me. Stay focused and you can do this!
Ok, here's my response, from a pre-opper, but you prob need input from a post op person.
Don't beat yourself up! This is a change of life, whether you prepared your self 100% or not. Your body has changed. You have done so much work, and have been so successful, and now? YOU"RE HUMAN....and even though your stomach, is now this little pouch, your body is saying, FEED ME...even though there is no room for a lot of food.
It's like your body is somehow fighting what your hunger, whether it real, or head hunger says.
So, take it day by day, keep doing what you're doing. Work at that will power, and if you make a mistake??? Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep on going.
Keep on going , so you can continue NOT to take those meds you're off, keep on going with your 6 ten minute walks per day.
YOU'RE doing FANTASTIC!!! I support you 100%!!
Hugs,
Boo
I'm am 100% sure this is head hunger! I do get that!! And am working on my 'issues'.... however, the 'can't eat a lot anymore' I am worried is not true! Or so it seems as I've yet to eat and feel full...
I do get in my protein and fluids. I have a protein drink for for breakfast to get me off to a good start... and eat eggs with lf cheese. lf string cheese, chicken, fish.... so I got the protein covered.
I eat about 3 to 4 oz of food at a time... depending on what it is, etc.
But I will b r e a t h.... :) And I am sure I am just in a panic cause i think i should be like all those who say "I took 3 bits and was full!".... this is NOT the case!
Maybe you need to look for the little cues that tell you its full.........I hear jj I think talk of a runny nose........ya know it really happens! I just noticed . I even find my attention wandering from the food when I have had enough before my tummy says stop. I bet you have some too. think will power is part of this...........really how many of us want to do this again? discipline through surgical threat? what ever works in this battle. You are doing everything right you talked to the doc you emailed the nut and put a call into your t and you wrote to us.........you got this girl. To be honest I would bet anything if you pushed it you would go beyond full and shift to sick before you knew it. not something I recommend trying for anyone else reading this.
I did have RNY. My doc said pouch about size of egg...
And yeah..... I am allowed to get emotional.... Ya know, I can cry at hallmark commercials at the drop of a hat, but to get emotional about things that are.... ummmm... more important, well, I tend to try to suck things up... could be why I am obese! LOL!
I am doing better than earlier :) And I WILL be successful!! (dang it!)
I appreciate all of you so much.... and your patience! Thank you!
i think all of us have the fear "this is not going to work for me". whether it's because we don't feel full, we have hunger, or we're a slow loser.
It's going to work, the key is how it works for you is as different as you are from other people.
i agree with others about listening to your pouch, perhaps you are getting your "soft" cues, but just don't know it. And you prepped like no other for this surgery, and you've rocked the program in terms of numbers on water and protein. But the truth is this is something that until you're in it, you can't really know how it will be for you. And that is something we can not control - which can be hard for some of us - losing control.
I think your call to the therapist is going to be your most helpful resource. I am not saying this is ALL in your head, but whether head hunger or physical hunger i would think she can help guide you through it.
let us know how it goes
Rochelle
I didn't have much appetitie but now it has returned. I still have to be v
careful not to eat too much.
I have noticed that of all things when I get full I get a runny nose!
Eating too much wll make you really sick. I doono if it dumping or not I just call it sick. At early stages it isn't good to over fill the pouch either.
I tried eating the small indivdual packs of sugar free pudding nd maybe a spoon of peanut butter. That seemed to make me happy
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Chew everything very well and eat extremely slow. Like take a bite and finish it and stop a few moments between. About all I can think of. Sorry you are having probelms.
I've never been good at the emotions and crying thing. Until now and then I usually have to be hiding some place to let go. Emotional eating was so over rated compared to just letting go and having a good cry. :) We are all works of art in progress through life. There is a learning curve with every lesson.
So grab a lawn chair or visit a park and take a nature walk today if you can. Sunlight and fresh air always helps me on out of control bipolar days :) I assume you normies get a lift from such stuff too hehe
I'm sorry that you're having to fight through this. It's really disappointing isn't it - I mean, if you're anything like me, the restriction portion of this was the best news you could get! As everyone else has said, go ahead, have the meltdown. Then realize that, even if the restriction isn't what you thought it would be, you'll still rock this whole thing. You've done WAY to much work to sabotage now. I hope that I will remember to do the right thing when I face issues (as you have), which is to come here and call out for help! Just look at the army of support that immediately reminded you of your trials and successes and that have every faith that you're going to be great at this! Hope you got some answers from professionals and that today is a better day!
-Angie
That head hunger is quite a beast. huh?
Do you have any signs of being full? My nose starts to run when I'm full. I've also heard of people that hiccup when they're full. If you do then use that as your clue that it's time to stop.
Something else that's really helpful for me is eating on a saucer. I put my food on my plate and have a no second rule and the food isn't piled on and doesn't touch. That's my portion control trick.
Shelley
I am feeling better today.... Not perfect, but better :) My youngest grandson is here for the weekend (Memphis is 4).... Today we are going to the park, which as Katlin said, will be good for me to get out.
I WILL be successful dang it! And in the light of day, this seems much more possible :)