question for you WLS experts...
 

I am a long time "dieter" and go through the normal ups and downs. I have a good friend who had her stomach stapled(?) like15 years ago. She can eat more than I can sometimes, is that normal? I guess I dont eat "A LOT", but about average helpings, but I just didnt think you could eat all that much food after something like that and I guess she can really pack it away sometimes. She has gained about 20 or so pounds back on since her weight loss stopped....but is it normal to eat that much after that type of surgery? I feel bad for her, since she struggles sometimes (I know I do too, so that helps her) I think she should go see a specialist and ask them, maybe something isnt right with her stomach and the staples anymore???? I dont know, I just thought I would ask you all since you are, in my opinion, more experts on this stuff than I would be.

THANKS!!!

I think you should MYOB. Nice thoughts, but no one's looking for unsolicitied opinons about what they do or don't or should or shouldn't do with their own body.

hmmm. exactly what kind of surgery did your friend have? while it IS possible for staples to loosen, i just don't remember what was popular about 15 years ago - i know some of them sort of reversed themselves. i'm hoping your friend has been keeping up with her follow-up visits with her doctors. and has been honest with them

however, as for the rest of it, the best dieting advice i EVER received was from a WW leader: keep your eyes on your own plate! :high::shrug:;)

of course, if your friend STARTS the discussion, she'd probably welcome a shoulder and your complete support. some people find that they do MUCH better if they join something like WW or sugar busters or south beach. no matter what, it's hard to lose and to maintain all by one's lonesome!

Maria and jiffy pop.... I surely dont stand over her while she eats. that is not it at all. She has infact brought this to my attention about how she can "put it away". I, being a struggling dieter also, do not look at what people are consuming that way. I just asked here to get an idea of what could possibly be going on, as I dont know much about this sort of thing. She has expressed concerns to me and I just dont know what I can tell her other than go see a DR ( I know the dr that did this was in another state so she hasnt seen one since she moved to my state). I dont care what she looks like, I am just concerned that there could be a serious medical issue going on. PLEASE dont think I am being NOSEY or PUSHY with her...that is not it at all. I know she is worried, but she doesnt have insurance since moving to this state, I feel bad for her for this, but she will always be my friend.

My mother had the stomach stapling approx 15-20 years ago. If your friend had the popular kind that was going on back then, what my mother had, she indeed did have "stapling."
An approx 2 ounce pouch was created by making a row of staples across the top and a small opening was left at the end of the 2 ounce pouch. This way, the entire stomach could still be utilized for maximum nutrient absorption.
Problem. This was done on the regular old stomach - not bypassing anything. The stomach stretches. My mother's streched mostly from her overeating - but she claims it was from just normal water intake for this part of the country and the time of year (Phoenix in summer - think ****!). Another problem was that the staples could simply loosen and come out. Neither of these things was life threatening, just depressing.
*****BUT
This is just my knowledge of what happened to my mother. She threw up all the time (overeating). It was years before she stopped having issues with this meal or that snack.
Your friend should know what kind of surgery she had. She should know the risks and the ways in which the surgery could have failed - even if it happened 15 years ago.
My explanation does not mean that your friend should not go to the doctor.
She should REALLY go to the DOCTOR. And discuss her worries and issues with him/her. As her friend, perhaps you can refer her to your doctor. I know lack of insurance, believe me. But if she is feeling ill or upset, she needs to seek medical advice. If she is throwing up, or having any kind of distress, she should go to the doctor.
Otherwise, just try and be her friend and maybe you both can have diet "buddies".
Good luck.
:hug:

In addition to the faults of surgery 15-20 years ago, there is normal progression of stomach stretching.

I had my surgery a year ago. I *can* put quite a bit away foodwise. In the beginning you can only eat small amounts but the stomach does stretch out to somewhat more "normal" size.

This surgery gives you a chance to lose weight rapidly, and then it is really up to you. I can eat a normal portion of food.

The 20 lb gain is pretty normal though. Typically, there is some "regain" or rebound gain. I get on the scale every day so as to not let a 20 lb gain happen! It makes me honest. There is no real cause for concern to me if she's gained 20 lbs in the course of 15 years. Typically the last pounds are worked off in the gym.

Dawn

Thanks for the insight. She has mentioned that she had her stomach "stapled", so that much I know. And I have personally noticed and she mentions it too that one time when we eat together she can barely eat 1/2 of her meal and then the next time she can eat all of it plus more. THat is what worries me for her is that something internally isnt right.....since, in my thinking, if it was she wouldnt be able to fluxuate (sp) so much on the volume of food she is capable of eating. (did that make sense to all of you?)

Thank you, Still - you just gave me the opening to post what i just sent you via PM!

personally, there are times i can barely eat a small apple, and then times i can eat a good sized meal. i'm not sure what it is, exactly, but i've seen 'normal' people do this as well. Sometimes, though, i can associate it with the types of food. if it's something that's relatively easy to eat, like, ummm, chili, i can eat a normal serving - 8 oz or so. if it's something that's a bit more difficult for me, like a grilled chicken breast and lightly cooked broccoli, i'll be lucky to eat 2 oz of chicken and one broccoli stalk!

since this is bothering her, she should talk with her doc. but frankly, unless she's steadily gaining weight and losing complete control of her eating [like, eating nonstop, or eating 6 times a day or giving in to each and every craving], it's probably more a matter of needing to practice mindful eating - making sure she's eating the right stuff for herself and in the proper amounts. some folks find food diaries very helpful.

she's lucky to have you as a friend.

I had RNY a montha go, wondering these things myself....