Question:
I'm afraid to eat . . .
I have a strong adversion to food in general. I have gotten sick from so many (makes me throw up) that I have gotten to the point where I just don't want to eat anymore. I need to eat some protien (I do drink protien mixes) but am not sure what to try that won't make me sick. Can anyone offer some suggestions. Thanks! Patricia — pmrazo (posted on March 20, 2006)
March 20, 2006
Patricia, I had the same thing happen to me. Chicken was making me sick,
and I threw up 3 days in a row, in the evening time. I eventually found
out that I had a smaller pouch than most...just a little over 2 ounces, and
I was over-filling it, because I was trying to eat 3 ounces. Also, if I
eat when I am on the phone, or watching TV, or otherwise distracted, I
don't pay as close attention, so I am not chewing like I need to, and I eat
way too fast.
Things that help me are eating smaller portions, eating SF popcicles, and
eating SF pudding pops.
I am not sure how far post opp you are, but for me right now at 5 weeks
post opp, I can tolerate ground beef, refried beans and cheeses very well.
I can also tolerate peanuts. I can eat other things, but I have to be very
careful. I like potatoe salad (I had a friend that showed me how to make
it so I get some good protien out of it.)
If you want to email me, [email protected] , feel free, and I
would love to talk and see if we can find out what is going on.
The important thing is to NOT stop drinking your water, and to make sure
you are getting your protein. If you only eat shakes for a few days, and
then try again, it is ok. That is what I did. It will get better, and
things will be a NEW 'normal' for you soon.
Sandra
— Sandra.M
March 20, 2006
I agree with everything Sandra said-- and keep track of what really bothers
you. I had to cut back to only 1/4 cup of pureed foods and that made a big
difference. And the one time I tried bread in a pureed recipe from my
dietician I felt awful 30 mins later and it lasted 2 hours-- I learned
bread can absorb fluid and swell in your stomach. (A member told me if I
ever do want to try bread in future she has been able to tolerate pita
pockets). It is okay to stay on protein shakes for a couple days and let
your stomach get a break from the vomiting; be sure to meet your protein
and fluid goals; then restart pureed foods slooooooooowly. I've found my
dietician to be the best support.
Good luck!
— ValerieZ
March 20, 2006
I can understand your problem. what you have to do is to eat one type of
food at a time and then see what could make you sick or not. You also
might want to eat foods that are moist, such as instant potatoes, and you
might want to add a little instant gravy to make them wetter. I have found
that dry foods make me sick and I have to do this. if you are drinking and
eating at the same time, stop drinking until you have completely finished
your main meal. good luck
— Steve Cohen
March 20, 2006
Hi I know how you feel I found a protein drank that has a good taste and is
only 2.9 oz it has 25g protein in each tube. I drank 1 or 2 a day. I Love
it cold. you can find it at www.protica.com good luck
— bntfive
March 20, 2006
HOw far out from surgery are you? And did this just start recently?
— vitalady
March 20, 2006
I am 7 weeks post op tomorrow. I had to stay on the liquid diet longer than
'normal' due to my staples in my pouch were iritated and I was vomitting
blood. I can eat cheese fine, but when I get near any type of meat (fish,
chicken, turkey, beef) I get sick. I don't eat in front of the TV or when I
am going to be distracted (instructed by my dietician) so that I can
concentrate on chewing my food, not over eating, etc.
Several people at my support group had talked about mashed potatoes being
their best friend, but potatoes are carbs and I don't want to eat carbs yet
(I still have over 60 lbs to loose).
Thanks for all of the suggestions. It is a huge help to have others that
understand what you are going through.
— pmrazo
March 20, 2006
I cant tell how far along you are. But newly out beef, pork and chicken
are the last things you should try. Usually wendys chili is a good one to
start with, string cheese then work up to fish. Only introduce ONE new
food at a time.Also, if you are 4 weeks plus out and all foods are a
problem, let your surgeon know; you dont want to have an undiagnoised
structure.
— star .
March 20, 2006
Eat the carbs.......in moderation. I may have a totally different outlook
on this than a lot of others, but isn't the whole point of wls to lose
weight, maintain the loss AND feel as normal as possible in the process of
living?
No carb diets are not natural or good for you. All protein isn't good
for you. Proteins, carbs and fats in moderation are the key and when you
are recuperating from wls, you need to eat!
I lived on refried beans for weeks.....with cheddar cheese and baked
tortilla chips. Not huge qunatities, mind you....1/4 cup refried beans
with a tablespoon of shredded cheddar melted on it. 8-10 chips. For
breakfast, 1/4 - 1/2 cup of cream of wheat cereal made with milk........1/4
cup oatmeal made with milk and Splenda brown sugar. Pea soups, bean soups,
chili with turkey....all good sources of protein. I am learning that lots
of protein can be found in sources other than meat! Don't forget cottage
cheese and yogurt, too!
Not eating can cause stavation response, remember. Also, those no
carb diets come back and haunt you later and then bingeing is a problem.
Jmo, of course!
— LauraA
March 20, 2006
Take comfort in the fact that it WILL get better. Most people can't
tollerate meats this early out, your tummy may not be ready yet. I have to
agree with the poster above...eat some carbs. Your body needs food, just
don't overdo it.
— RebeccaP
March 20, 2006
Strange, how people are telling you to eat carbs. I am 7 weeks post op too
from Lp RNY, I am only allowed 1 oz protein for breakfast and 1oz fruit,
lunch, 20z protein , 1 oz veg and 1 oz fruit, for dinner 2oz protein , 1 oz
veg and 1oz fruit only. No White Potato, No bread what so ever. I have to
wait another week to introduce 1 wasa cracker for lunch. Do some of you
have diets who allow , Chips (baked) on it, or bread and potatoes 7 weeks
out????? She did say she is 7 weeks out right?. Also luckily I have never
vomited once since my operation, but I am starting to get severe aches and
pains that comes and goes for no reason, catscans shows nothing. Must be
gas the doctor says, but do not understand how it could be I can get it
anytime of the day or night even if I have not eaten anything.
ML
— MikeL
March 20, 2006
I too was afraid to eat anything other than my "safe" food at
home, nd I used to sweat when we entered a restaurant. I discovered early
on that a bowl or cup of fruit at any restaurant was tolerable and I was
able to do that with my family and friends. Fruit became my best friend.
I always drank a protein drink before leaving the house or an hour or so
before going anywhere to assure myself of the proper nutrition, but at the
restaurant it was strictly a fruit plate, and I did just fine until I was
able to eat "normal" again, at almost 3 years out. Hang in
there, you will be able to eat everything soon enough, believe me!
— Missy H.
March 21, 2006
Mike...no food or very very little food is counter productive to weight
loss (and health). If she is unable to eat certain foods, it's probably
best she find something she can eat. Carbs come in varieties other than
baked chips. For example, when I was fairly new at the post op thing I
would make lasagna for my family using low fat cheese and lower fat
hamburger. I simply threw it in a blender and ate it....pre-chewed, I
guess. With that you have protien from the meat and cheese and the
noodles(carbs) helped me get the good stuff down when it normally would
come right back up. I'm in no way suggesting anyone run out and eat chips
and ice cream, but a baked potato or a little pasta with a high protien
food makes it a little easier to digest. (careful with pasta and rice
tho...swell swell swell)
— RebeccaP
March 21, 2006
I had the exact same issue at the beginning and continue to struggle with
it from time to time. Chicken is something, no matter how it's made, how
much I chew, how little I eat - I always throw it back up. I love the
Atkins protein drinks and the Designer Whey drinks (with water only).
You'll have to come up with some creative ways to get your protein in.
I've had to modify my diet to suit MY BODY, and you will too. Good luck!
— Nicki F.
March 21, 2006
try nectar tea protien mix and any thing by matrix. best of luck!
— vickig
March 21, 2006
I take a baked chicken breast, or a can of chicken if I don't have fresh,
and some low fat cream cheese and about a tbsp of low fat mayonaise in a
food processor and made a spread out of it. I eat this with about 6 wheat
thins. The cream cheese seems to help and the chicken being processed
helps too. I find that any thing "juicy" seems to be easier for
me to tolerate. There are several great cook books on the market that have
great recipes for WLS one I bought has the recipe and then tells how to
serve it at various stages post op. It's call Eating Well After WLS. She
has some great low cal sauce recipes that I like. I make homemade soups
and puree them. The new Cambell's select soups are filling and are low
cal. I especially like the butternut squash soup. I throw in a few pieces
of left over chicken and tolerate this very well. I am 12 weeks post op
and had a filet mignon this week. Ok so I only ate 2 oz of a 7 oz steak
but my daughter took care of the rest. It did not go to waste or to
my"waist" I'm trying to add vegetables to 1 meal a day and still
can't eat anything leafy without problems no matter how much I chew!!
— jcrefasi
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