Am I Eating to Much -

[PrettyLady]

I am going on 4 weeks post op and I am healing properly.

Today I had a serving of grits and a boiled egg and was able to eat every bit of it.

Don't you think that is too much in one sitting? Also, I had a protien drink blended with two frozen strawberries and 2 T cottage cheese.

I get hungry about every 2 to 3 hours. I force myself to wait the three hours so I chew gum.

I am doing everything by the book -not losing but gained a pound. I am so upset!

Words of comfort and encouragement please...I am so bummed.

Thank ya'll for listening to me whine.

[Tommy1969]

My understanding is that when you chew gum acid is released in your stomach which is not such a good thing for your sleeve. Also, grits may be a slider food which will not fill you up as much as protein. In my opinion you should focus more on protein especially being only 4 weeks out.

I loved fat free refried beans and lots of scrambled eggs. They filled me up.

It will take time to figure out what works well for you.

Check out Tinman's page, he just posted a really good 5 year follow up with great advice.

Regards,

Tommy

[PrettyLady]

Thank you for Tommy for your response. Grits is on my list to eat that de office gave me
and the gum chewing is so I won't focus on eating to closely.

[jamma]

I, too, was told to stay away from chewing gum. It stirs up the acid in your stomach and actually makes you hungrier. Are you getting all your protein in? If not, you should NOT be eating other foods that won't do you any good. Do you get in all your water? It isn't unusual to feel hungry after 3 hours--we can't eat that much. Have a little more protein drink (1/2 C or so). These are the basic rules. Also, at week 4 you could be experiencing a stall which typically comes at 3 weeks or so and is VERY frustrating! Keep to the rules religiously and the weight loss will start up again. Good luck!

[Gvn71]

Everyone is different, but, I would say based on my experience that some of my hunger feelings were not actually hunger, just my stomach working. Try drinking water (or crystal light) when you feel these hunger issues.

Protein first, then other stuff. Also, chewing gum makes you feel hungry, I was told to avoid gum by my surgeon.

Keep up the good work!

[Luna354]

so much of it is mental hunger and of course can be stomach acid. I don't think you're actually hungry every 2-3 hours. Focus on protein. Protein first, you will get full fast.

[Sandra3]

Stomach acid can mimic hunger. So basically my question would be do you take a PPI? My surgeon gave that to all his patients post-op. If you take a tums and it's working (no more hunger) that means it can be stomach acid.

I agree that chewing gum is not the best thing also because artificial sweetener can also cause reflux in a few people (I'm one of them).

Regarding the food, I always staid under 1/2 cup of food per sitting until at least month 7. Protein first and looking at the serving size it really the key. Take care!

[sraebaer]

You're doing fine. Get rid of your scale. Have a family member hide it. If you are eating how you were told to eat, you're great. You will lose an amazing amount of weight, but HIDE THE SCALE! It just messes with your mind. At first you are eating almost nothing and don't lose, or even gain. I know it makes no sense, but it happens. So to keep from getting all upset, just stay off the scale.

[PrettyLady]

Thanks to everyone for their help. I was only chewing gum to take my mind of my hunger pains. I asked my dr nurse for something for heart burns-she said to take tums, I only eat what is only my list. i drink 2 premier protein shakes daily to ensure 60 grams of proteins, I am going to call Monday and ask for something for heart burns. Don't know what a PPI is but i guess it is something for heart burns,

[RehabNurse]

Don't know what a PPI is but i guess it is something for heart burns,

PPI - Proton Pump Inhibitor (e.g., Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, etc.)...

There will be foods on the 'approved' list that are not nutritionally good for sleeved people. The nutritionist at my bariatric surgeon's office has crackers and grits on the 'approved' list.

However, these are starches that are devoid of good nutrition. They also take up valuable space that could be filled by protein-rich foods. It's the protein-rich foods such as meats, beans, cheese and yogurt that keep us full and satisfied.

Grits, on the other hand, will ensure you stay hungry...

[Christie13]

Agree with the others. Protein is the number one focus for sleeve patients. Always, not just in the beginning. And in the puree phases I felt like I could eat a lot more since they are all soft foods. Once I started eating solid proteins I could actually eat a lot less and filled up for longer. I did eat more frequently in the beginning. I had to have a small piece of beef jerky or small bite of low carb, high protein bar to keep my hunger at bay. I also had to take Prilosec due to the stomach acid that would cause false hunger pangs. Once that went away it got easier. I lost slow and steady. And often times I found that when I wasn't losing I needed to up my protein intake. And how much fluids are you getting in? Dehydration can make you feel hungry. Take measurements and progress pictures. They will show you that the surgery is working even when the scale is not budging.