I haven't had mine yet, although I am scheduled to have it in January. Your thoughts are some of my current fears. I guess I am surprised because my physician told me something a little different then what you are stating. If you are comfortable with the liquid diet, I am sure you can stick to that for a while. Take it one day at a time, that is my plan anyway. If you are having anxiety about it, call the office and talk to the nutritionist, that is what they are there for. I am sure you are going to do great, but I do understand the anxiety too. Good luck to you!

All of your fears are normal, we've all been there. As far as stretching your pouch - That miserable feeling you got that made you think you were going to vomit - That's dumping and it's your pouches way of telling you to stop. You should be looking for your signal that your pouch is full. For me it's either a belch or a hiccup. As soon as I do either of those things I stop immediately because I know if I keep going I'm going to feel terrible. As far as potatoes they're fine for now. It's not like your eating copious amounts for them and they're easy to digest. At about 1 month out I was having tummy pains and was told to do potatoes for a few days which I did and it didn't change anything as far as weight loss. I will warn you that you're soon to have a stall. Most of us experienced ours at 3 weeks out. It's perfectly normal, will last about a week and then it's done. Periodically you'll have them, it's your bodies way of catching up and getting used to the new things happening to it. Don't be scared, ask questions as often as you need. That's why everyone is here, support. Good luck and relax.

I want to thank both of you for the advice and I will try to calm down and relax. I had no idea what dumping syndrome would feel like now I know and don't want that again. I have had a burp and a hiccup so now I know what that means too. Thank you again for the advice and support it really helped.

We all went thru this after surgery. We were unsure and scared. Just stick to your plan and it will work. Day by day and minute by minute. I remember thinking I was going to blow it or even pop the stitches if I drank a drop too much or ate a bite too much.
Hang in there! It will be a great future!

Oh boy, that dumping syndrome is a good deterrent from over eating! Only once, I had it real bad and it wasnt from over-eating but from eating chicken that was dry. Now I know what it feels like so over-eating is out because I sure dont ever want to feel like that again!

Our program excluded potatoes and whatever we eat it has to be protein first. But, I think water is real important, especially when you get to 3-4 months and it'd be best to get used to drinking alot.

After my surgery, I had to follow the liquid diet for two weeks. After than, I moved to soft foods and liquids. It was only at four weeks that I was permitted to begin to add solid foods in very slowly. I'd try just one solid food a day, chew it very, very well, and wait to see how my body responded.

it's really common to be scared of self-sabotage, and it's a real risk. The question is: how committed are you to your own needs and health?

Many of us gained weight as we put everyone else's needs ahead of our own. That will no longer work. You may have to set new relationship boundaries, create new expectations for your children and other family members. It may be new for them to see you taking care of yourself and putting your needs first. BUT IT IS A VERY HEALTHY THING TO DO!

Keep coming here. I visited this group several times a day during my first year or two of having the surgery. It's a great help to have people who "get it" to go to for advice or just to vent.

I was eating mashed potatoes as part of my soft foods stage, but dropped the "white foods;" potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, etc. after I was back to real foods. The carbs in those are the same carbs as you find in sugar, and although they may not cause you to dump (some digest slower), eventually they will slow things down, but it's way too soon to worry about that.
Once you get back to normal foods, start with your proteins, move to your veggies, and you will probably find you have little to no room for carb laden foods. Congrats on your surgery, and thanks for sharing!

This discussion is really helpful for me. Seems every time I look at a discussion it answers a question that I have or have had. Thanks so much for sharing your concerns and advice, both are helpful. I plan to keep watching this site to learn more. My GB medical team has been really helpful and I feel like I'm in good hands. They have a good program for education and answering questions, but this site is good for the questions I haven't thought about yet!

My surgery date is Jan 6 and I started my pre-surgery diet on Dec 23rd. I know it's a long journey, but I'm in this for the long haul. Thanks for being open in your sharing and helping me with your discussions.

And Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Ahhhhh..... you should read some of my journal posts from early out!! I was a freakin mess! I was sure there was something wrong, even had myself convinced my surgeon didn't really give me a little pouch... :)

The hardest thing for me to do was trust the process.... A quote that got me thru, still does sometimes now, after 143 lbs loss, is this:

Slow down. Calm down. Dont worry. Dont hurry. Trust the process. -Alexandra Stoddard

It was even my phone homescreen for months! :) Still hangs on my frig!

Deep breath! First, bravo for making the courageous decision to have GBS and to become the healthiest version of yourself! Second, congrats for your loss so far!

Yes, there are many different 'programs' out there. Some are better than others. Some are more detailed and explain the "whys." Of course, like most people, I think my program is one of the best! lol

Some background on me: I had my RNY almost 5 years ago. I hit my goal weight 11 months after surgery - going from over 300 lbs to 125 lbs (175 lb loss). My sleep apnea, GERD, pitting edema, and high blood pressure were gone within months of surgery. I went from wearing size 30/32 pants to size 2. I've stayed within my target weight range for the past 4 years. For the first time in my life, I can fit into the same jeans I wore 3 years ago.

It sounds like you have already learned how important it is to eat mindfully - paying attention to how every bite tastes and how your body feels as you swallow. In my opinion, mindful eating is a much better way to go than counting bites, or weighing/measuring food. Some days I could only eat a few bites and my body told me it was done (with soft cues, like a hiccup, runny nose, thickening saliva, etc). Other days I could eat more before I was satisfied. The key is to listen to your body, which requires paying attention.

Regarding what foods you should be eating right now, I tend to be more 'hardcore' than others (my program is also very hardcore). During the losing phase, I'm a big proponent for sticking to water, vitamins, and protein (70 grams +). You don't need to eat something just to get enough calories (your body has stored more than energy for such a time as this!!). You need specific nutrients. If your body doesn't get enough carbs, it will burn fat instead (which is what you want, right?). If your body doesn't get enough protein, it will burn your muscles (which shows as a weight loss on the scale but isn't how you want to lose!!). At 2-3 weeks out, most people struggle to get 70 grams of protein a day, so there really isn't room in our pouches for anything else.

During my loss and now in maintenance, I didn't/don't eat sugar (even in small amounts), flour, rice, pasta, bread, or most "white" foods. Now that I'm at goal, I do eat popcorn. When I'm at the lower end of my weight range I eat potatoes, but I didn't eat them when I was losing weight.

My way isn't the 'only way' - However, following it it got me to goal and has kept me there for four years. Do your research and commit to a plan. Trade your fear for determination.

It's worth it!!

JJ

You guys are awesome!! I have calmed down since my post, @becca1960 I Remember asking myself the same question if the surgeon had even created a small pouch. I am so relieved that I am not the only one having these thoughts. Everyone has given me great advice to follow and I am very much appreciative.

I am preparing for the same surgery and am a bit nervous. Not about the procedure itself, but about the period following. I'm a bit unsure of what I'll be able to do for exercise, cause it's been awhile although I'm doing what I can now. I trust my doctor and a friend showed me to this group. I hope everything goes well.

Hi I had my gastric by pass 12/2/14 sugarfree me had some awesome words of advice for me too. My favorite thing to eat was cheese broccoli microwave then fat free cheese soup puree and it is good warm and I drink like a cup of it at least once a day. Since it was a veggie It help with movements. I had a few bits of potatoes but and that was fine not everyday. I am suppose to be on solid food and 4 bits that is it. I started belching and then the pain came ugh. Whole new way to eat. I was determined not to get sick again. It took over 20 mins to eat 4 to five bits but did not get sick. I know why bother right!:) I just remember our stomach is the size of a large egg.