I thought the gastric bypass would be a more effective tool...

I can't speak to the surgery part as I've not had it but we have some Gastric Bypass groups that might be able to help you out by lending support & friendship. Many may have gone through similar things.

Welcome, you've definitely come to a place where lives are changed

Maybe you're eating food that wont upset your stomach so you can eat more. Idk ?? Or maybe you've healed faster than the dr thought youd be

How much do you weigh now, at what height? There's no reason you cannot use MFP information to help you inform how much is an appropriate amount of calorie intake, if you are worried or don't have good information from your doctor.

Let's say you are 5'7" and 325 lbs., Scooby's Workshop calculator indicates you can eat about 2,000 cals. a day and lose 1 lb. a week. Is that what your doctor has indicated or are they recommending fewer calories?

If you are limited to soft foods and several tbsp (1/2 cup = 8 tbsp.?), you could think about what foods you can fit into your day that will add up to your recommended calorie intake. So, given 2,000 cals. and only able to eat 1/2 cup of anything at a time, you could have 10 x 200-calorie mini-meals throughout the day.

I would think your doc. would have already given you some sample "menus" to try eating now that you are back on soft foods. If your doctor hasn't given you that guidance, why not call the office and ask? Below is a bit more info on how to get started using MFP to help guide your weight loss. Perhaps you can use MFP's recommendations as a way to increase your nutrition dialog with your doctor?

Good luck! Please reach out to other gastric bypass folks on the forums. You can succeed if you take it one day at a time. Also, from personal experience with buddies with gastric bypass, please be careful about alcohol... It can have very unexpected consequences with your new anatomy.

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Click Goals > Change Goals > Guided, Continue, enter in your accurate information and realistic goal weight, and click Update Profile. MFP will give you information on how many calories you should eat each day to safely lose weight.

Direct Link: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/my_goals
BMI Calculator: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmi-calculator
BMR Calculator: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator

HildieMe wrote: »

He or she should give you specific instructions as to how much and how often you should eat, and exactly what nutrient dense foods would be most appropriate.

Good advice, HildieMe!

I had my bypass surgery July 2014. I was at 294.5. In beginning it very hard for me to get in the recommended amount of food and liquids. I stuck with water and alot of greek yogurts and a few scrambled eggs. I did over eat a couple times because was not paying attention. .ie eating too fast or too much. I only made that mistake a couple of times! This is time listen your body and change your eating habits. You will definitely know what will work or not work for you. Good luck ...it will get easier. .and be sure to stay in contact with your doctor well as your nutritionist.

bhubbard wrote: »

I had the gastric bypass on 12/19/14 with a starting weight of 352. I was easily eating enough for a few people. Now, I have just been cleared to start eating some soft foods and the doc said that due to the size of my pouch I should only be able eat a couple of tables tablespoons, but I can eat quite a bit more than that without feeling full. Now, I am terrified that my surgery will fail! Does anyone maybe have some words of wisdom or encouragement for me?

One of the biggest mistakes people who have WLS make is relying on the restriction of their stomach instead of using their head. If you were told that you should be able to eat 4 tablespoons volume of food, why in the world would you even TRY to eat more than that? If I know my stomach holds 4oz, it is silly for me to shove in 6 oz and be "surprised" I can do it.

Your new stomach will help you eat less. But you have let your stomach rule your eating your whole life, and tell you when you are "full". And clearly that did not work out! The average human stomach can hold about 2 cups "comfortably" (not stuffed, but plenty of food to not be hungry), but up to 4 times that if needed (stuffed, "full" feeling). You have spent your life eating more than you can "comfortably" eat, until you are "full". Stop that. Now is the time to let your brain decide how much you can eat. Set out the amount of food you were told to eat, then get up and walk away. You do not need to feel like you just finished Thanksgiving dinner every time you eat. The surgery gave you the tool to be able to do this. It *is* possible to stretch the pouch out and push the limits of what it will hold. so DONT DO THAT.

I cannot count how many posts I have seen where people are scared because their pouch or sleeve holds more than they thought. The only way you would know that is by putting in more than you thought you were supposed to. Why in the world do you want to know the maximum your stomach can hold? The surgery lets you be content with less food. Use your brain, not your stomach, to decide how much food you will eat. Your stomach had its turn making that decision and this is where you ended up from it. Its time for your brain to take over.

If you are truly feeling hungry after eating the amount you were supposed to, then consider a few things:
1) Acid reflux is common in WLS patients, and can mimic hunger. Try taking a regular antiacid or other type of preventative daily.
2) Make sure you are getting in your water every day. Make sure you are not drinking too soon after eating (it just washes out the contents of your stomach into your intestines, leaving you "empty" again and able to eat more). Give your food time to digest (will also hump with "dumping").
3) Take a look at the types of food you are eating. If they are mostly airy carbs (ie. bread, rice cakes, pasta, crackers etc) - try this experiment. Chew up 3 oz of tuna and spit it out into a cup - it will be almost the same size as it was when you put it into your mouth. Then Chew up 8 rice cakes (it will look HUGE and take a long time) and spit it out into a cup. It will take up about 2-3 tbsp, and be smaller than the tuna. Both the tuna and 8 rice cakes take up about the same amount of space once they are in your stomach so you will feel the same amount of "full". BUT - 3 oz tuna has about 130 calories (5Fat, 23 Protein and 0 Carbs)... 8 plain rice cakes has about 280 calories (0Fat, 8 Protein and 64carbs). Huge nutrition difference!!! But the volume is the same once in your stomach. Now pour some acid (like stomach acid) on both... An hour later the tuna will have barely changed size. The rice cakes will be GONE within minutes. So not only can you eat at least double the calories in the same space, but you will be hungrier sooner with the carbs - they are mostly air, and they digest too quickly! So make better choices!
4) Maybe you really are hungry! The next time you eat, add a small amount of volume. Instead of 4oz, try 5oz for a day or two. The point is to DECIDE how much to eat with your brain, do NOT eat until your stomach tells you it is "full". That is a recipe for disaster and eventually you will outeat your surgery and start gaining back.

Eat the amount you believe you are supposed to and stop. Do that as many times a day as you are supposed to. Try it a few days. Your goal is never to feel like you have to unbutton your pants. *YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE "FULL" EVERY TIME YOU EAT!* Redefine full as "satisfied" instead. See if you can be "satisfied" eating this way. If you are hungry again before your next scheduled food time, eat a small carrot or something (or get your water in) and check the list above for solutions. If the solution is truly more food, start that the next day.

The surgery is a tool, not a miracle. You have to do your part, and let it do its part.

Something to keep in mind, it takes a few months for your new pouch to heal during that time it's still a bit numb so you may not always "feel" full like your use to, that's why it's important to follow your plan. Also as the swelling goes down you will have more room in your pouch.
Head hunger is very common for the first few months,your old tummy will be rumbling at you and your head is like omg I'm starving but your new pouch is just fine. This is tough but will go away as you follow your plan..good luck