New Member - lots of questions... - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

newyearnewme · 04-30-2008, 09:17 AM

All,

First I would like to congratulate everyone on the many success stories I have been reading. I am new to the forum and wanted to ask some questions. I had my GB surgery on 4/2 (3 weeks ago today) and I've had my share of complications. Aside from those issues, I have been having a very difficult time with eating. At first it was that everything smelled and looked horrible to me (I know this is typical), but 3 weeks into this I am still very much on a liquid diet and vomiting at least 1x a day. In addition, I still have surgery pain. My appetite is very minimal but I blame it on the fact that solids are just not going down. I've tried chicken 3 times and each time has been a bad experience. Last night I had 2 fingernail size bites of a burger and that stayed down, but I could feel it stuck in my throat. I'm so tired of chewing until nothing seems to be there only to get that "stuck" feeling. Each morning I have a smoothie made of yogurt and fruit. It goes down real good. I've tried the whey protein but I feel nausious and therefore I am not getting any protein in. I suck on cheerios for breakfast. The afternoons I usually have soup (both good and bad experiences) and dinner is always up in the air. At this point, I don't know what to try and if I am experiencing what other people experience. I have lost about 25 pounds but nothing for the last week - I'm thinking it's due to my limited intake.

Any advice is welcome!

Thanks to all.

Momof3 · 04-30-2008, 09:30 AM

I'm no expert by any means but it seems like you should still be on a semi-soft diet...your pouch isnt ready for real food, if you know what I mean. I didnt think you were even to TRY solids till after 6-8 weeks.

At the most I'd think you'd be on pureed foods. I doubt your pouch is up for anything it has to work at, you know?

Godsblessedme · 04-30-2008, 09:34 AM

i agree 6 weeks is when you can do solids

so slow down a bit and make sure your drinking your protein shakes

ladychief231 · 04-30-2008, 09:51 AM

Hi,
Let me preface my response with this....You will read on the forum that everyone's ecperience is different and it is true. I had surgery the day after you so I'll share come comparisons. I too notice that some food smells bad and tasts bad right now. I have progressed through pureed and soft foods very well. I'm sorry you are struggling and only tolerating liquids. I've not thrown up but had a close call on Friday when I ate talipia. I think I ate too fast but I'm not trying talipia for a while. I am having a hard time with the shakes...they make me gag now so I'm doing my best to keep the protein levels up with food. Our weight loss is about the same...I'm down 22 pounds to your 25. I have been stuck at 22 for a week and it is frustrating but the folks on the forum will tell us it's normal, stay off the scale (I can't, I'm obsessed), it to be patient the tool will work! Have you tried pureed soups and refried beans? They might be a way to get in some food without getting stuck. The vomiting and getting stuck thing is a bit concerning. I'll end by suggesting that you call your doctor if things don't resolve themselves in the next few days.

Good luck to you.

Teresa

shan76 · 05-04-2008, 11:16 AM

Newyearnewme~As like many of us each persons experience is different. In the beginning I ate alot of soft foods such as scrambled eggs, yogurt, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and pudding all things that really didn't have to be chewed a million times! I also ate chicken cooked in a crockpot with fat free broth it kind of just pulled apart and was a good source of protein as well as protein shakes but now 4 1/2 months out I find myseelf not wanting to eat and not getting enough protein in but don't get discouraged. You could always call the nutritionist who you see that is what they are there for

Now as far as that stuck feeling you need to slow down or try smaller amounts making sure you wait in between bites it is easier said than done but it is something we all learn because that stuck feeling hurts or at least I know for me it did

Just a few thoughts!

pebitpeb · 05-04-2008, 11:28 AM

Welcome to the TT forum and you are in a place where there is understanding and real compassion.

I can relate to everything you wrote, my first month or two was horrible with food. I got stuck when I tried to eat meat. But quickly learned there were options as eating is part of working with the new stomach. Try blending potatoes with chicken, or veggies and chicken, it is puree like, but it gets some nutrition in, yogurt, cottage cheese and soup were other staples I used to make sure I was eating, make sure not to drink for 45 minutes before and after you eat. The vomit or getting stuck in my case sucked, it caused a mental block of fear about foods, I disliked the thought of eating, but once I realized that much of what my mind was telling me was feeding into behavior that could really sidetract the progress.

25 pounds is an excellent result, you can be very happy about this. If the eating continues to be problematic with vomiting after your attempts get to your physician and get some assistance. Also post your question on the Post-Op section here as well, as others will sometimes read there.

I wish you continued success in the weight loss and hope that you can find a solution for eating and keeping down.

All the best to you.

pebitpeb
Paul