Help!!

Does anyone know when the pain of swallowing and the Depression stops?? I try soft foods and it hurts so bad, I vomit then feel Depressed.. I'm 18 Days post op. and only lost 20 pounds when I hear others lost more than that at 18 days i get even more depressed and when a food doesnt go down without pain I cry a river. I so thought I was mentally ready for this, but I was so wrong.

Dolores, I had surgery 1/12/04 and I have lost the same amount as you. Don't compare yourself to others, they may be a lot more heavier than you! I have had the same problem. I figured out that I was eating soft foods but still trying to swallow too much at one time. Try swallowing smaller bites at one time. It worked for me. Does it hurt to swallow liquid? If not, try the smaller bites and swallow smaller bites at a time. If I can help any more let me know. Wanda

Dee, it is hard .. I know.. Like she said.. try smaller bites.. that one is a hard lesson to learn too.. I have to learn to wait for bites to go down before putting another one in I always seem to be in a hurry and then I seem to get "stopped up" .. Also,,, if you hear others talk about how much weight they have lost in a little time.. check the profiles.. They are usually very heavy. Just keep putting the small bites in.. and chew chew chew.. you will win over this. It isn't necessairly a quick process. My friend is almost twice as as far out from surgery and she is just about my weight loss. I got stuck for a couple of days and then caught up and lost again. I went back to work today and everyone was awed at how good I was looking. But after the first day.. all the new will wear off and I'll be under a lot of pressure (self imposed) to lose fast. Just take your time and it will be ok. Smile girl, your on the losing side now.. and the weight WILL COME OFF!!! ~ Jan

HI EVERYONE ITS HARD TO KEEP FOOD DOWN IF ITS NOT GOING DOWN TRY SMALLER AMOUNTS AND IF THATS NOT WORKING MAYBE WHATEVER YOUR EATING DONT AGREE WITH YOUR TUMMY ANYMORE ....ALSO CALL YOUR DIETICIAN OR DOCTOR

First of all, Only 18 lbs in 20 days is AWSOME!!!! Quit getting down on yourself. I realize that is probably part of the depression talking, but hang in there and things will get better. If you are still experiencing depression after 3-4 weeks, look into professional help (either medication or counseling). This surgery is a huge life change and even when we feel like we are ready for it, sometimes it is diffiicult to manage (both mentally and physically) the problems that occur. Also, if you continue to have problems eating even after taking very small bites and little swallows, be wure to contact you doctor. I hear that a small percentage of people need to have a dialation done to allow the food to pass as usual.

I have been using a small spoon...either demitasse size or ice tea spoon size. The smaller size forces me to take smaller bites and therefore slow down. Also try putting your fork or spoon down between bites. This has helped me. Trying to get my head to realize how little an amount makes me full is difficult. Just when I think I have a handle on how much 2 ozs is...my tummy tells me..uh oh you have eaten a bit more than you should. Take each day one day at a time.....I have often heard that in the days when we dont seem to be losing that much weight we are really losing inches. Our bodies need to take some time to adjust to the weightloss. Hugs, Harriet

Oh sweetie I feel so bad for you. I am 7 days post-op. One of the nurses told me a secret. Use a baby's spoon. It will force you to take small bites. I also made up my mind my 2nd night home I was not going to let this get me down. I cooked chicken roasted in the oven, buttered parsleyed potatoes, broccoli with cheese sauce and a salad for my hubby. I sat there with my chicken broth and made up my mind I am gonna beat this and I am not going to eat broth & baby food for a month. The next day I took a small piece of the chicken, a 1 inch piece of celery, small piece of onion, lite mayo and chicken broth, ran the hell out of it in my chopper. UMMMMM. Chicken salad pate'. Not bad. Next meal I took hubbies left over potatoe, boiled off the butter , put in chopper with cheese, piece of broccoli and soy milk and chopped away. UMMMM Gormet mashed potatoes. Both had the consistency of yogurt & were tasty. Took me about 1/2 hour + to get down 2 oz. It was tasty & didn't make me sick. Using the baby spoon helps. Forces you to take baby sips. I sit with my hubby at the dinner table. He has to plate his food at the stove. Life is good. I hope this helps. ((HUGS)) Elissa ps..... If I can chop /puree it I'm gonna eat it. You don't have to mourn food if the taste still satisfies you . My new motto.

THANK YOU ALL *****PLIED.. I SEE MY SURGEON TOMORROW AND HOPE HE CAN MAKE ME FEEEL BETTER.. I FEEL SO WEAK. TAKING A SHOWER IS A WORKOUT. I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IF YOU WERENT HERE I DONT KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO.. I REALLY WISH I HAD A SUPPORT GROUP TO ATTEND