Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Long-Term Success 299
Stop Eating When Your Pouch Is Full
Think back to the last holiday meal you had before surgery. You may have
eaten a lot very quickly. You probably went from hungry to stuffed in a
matter of a few minutes. Stuffed is not going to cut it anymore!
You now have the advantage of having a smaller capacity to store food. In
order for you to achieve your weight loss goals and not experience nausea
and vomiting, you have to stop eating when your hunger is satisfied. By
eating slower, it will be easier for you to realize when you have had enough.
Pay attention to the pouch!
Don’t Drink Beverages with Meals
If your pouch is full of liquids, you won’t be able to eat, and drinking too soon
after a meal may overfill the pouch, causing nausea. You certainly don’t want
to fill up on liquids and not be able to eat, do you? So be sure you stop
drinking 5 to 10 minutes before you eat a meal, and don’t begin drinking again
for 30 minutes after you finish.
Stay Hydrated
Keep something with you at all times (except at meals) and sip, sip, sip. You
can’t hold as much liquid as you could before, so if you get dehydrated it
will be difficult for your body to catch up. Check the color of your urine to
monitor your hydration status. It should be pale yellow or clear, not dark
yellow.
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. By the time you’re thirsty, you are
already dehydrated. Your goal is about 64 ounces a day of decaffeinated,
sugar-free liquids, and more on hot or humid days and if you’re sweating
excessively.
Take Your Supplements
Taking supplements is a requirement, not a recommendation. Because you
can’t eat as much as you could before surgery, consider your supplements
an insurance policy to make sure you get all of the vitamins and minerals you
need to stay healthy.
