Struggling to get food in

Okay so I'm just over 4 weeks out. The first 2 weeks were great, I was eating the full fluid diet and lots of water and everything was going down. I don't really get too hungry and was taking in 1-2 oz at a time. I then moved on to purees. Again they seemed pretty good but I continue to get very full very fast. Just before the 4th week I started to introduce soft foods/solids. I am having a terrible time keeping much food down. I'm not dumping and getting sick rather I am expereincing the "Frothing/Foaming" that Trish had described in an earlier post. It's very weird and like I have a huge build up of mucus which seems to prevent me from eating much at all. I try really hard to get food in because I'm concerned about my nutrition. Liquids go down much better but I am also starting to feel more hungry (probably because I'm not eating much). Have others had this problem?? What can anyone suggest?? I'll try the warm drink thing before I eat as suggested by Trish but still find that hard because by the time I manage to fit in (at least part of) a protein drink I'm having to wait 1/2 an hour before I eat anything. I think I also PMSing and pretty much for the first time starting to battle carvings or head hunger!! Thanks for bearing with me! On a more positive note I am down almost 35 lbs!! Hope someone can offer me words of wisdom!! Stacey

Stacey, To be honest with you I haven't experienced the frothing/foaming yet and I havent dumped either(afraid to!!)... I am pretty new to the whole soft/solid food as well. The problem I have is that I can't tell when I am full and I'm not hungry either. After I eat, I sometimes have a very uncomfortable/nausea feeling. I think it is going to be alot of trial and error as far as determining what we can eat. I have also had the whole head hunger thing going on, which can be frustruating at times! Mentally, I think this part of the whole process can be very tough to get through. It will be so worth it in the end though. I hope something works out for you so that you feel better! I am right there with you! I also want to congratulate you on 35 pounds that's awesome!!! Take care. Bonnie

Thanks for your words Bonnie! I feeling a little better over the last couple of days. How are you doing?? Stacey

No problem Stacey!! I am doing better as well... still trying to adjust as far as feeling comfortable after I eat!! Thanks for following up!! Bonnie

Congrats on 35 lbs!! YAY!! What I had to do when I experienced that feeling when going to soft foods was drink something WARM about 20-30 mins before I eat and that has helped IMMENSELY. Ho****er with lemon, hot tea, hot whatever..... Only about 4 oz, not much, then wait a bit then eat. It does the trick. Kind of sucks to do that, but hey, it's better than that horrible feeling in the chest/throat.

I am experiencing the EXACT same thing you are! I spoke to my nurse today and she believes that it is a result of food particles getting stuck in the little hole that leads to the small intestine. She said that the act of throwing up may cause swelling which compounds the problem. She advised me to return to pureed foods for a few days and then try again with solids. Last night I foamed about a dozen times and I was SOOOOO discouraged. I could hardly keep liquids down. Today I returned to pureed foods and everything is staying down. Do you think they made the hole too small? I certainly hope that eating will get easier! When I eat solid foods, It takes me literally 1 1/2 hours to eat 3 Tablespoons of food! I don't know if this helps you much but at least you're not alone! Elena

Thanks for sharing with me Elena! And it is good to know I'm not alone. I am trying to take the new foods slow, I'm happy to say tha****er is still going down well! Things seem a little better now. I actually tried steak the other night and couldn't believe it went down well! I guess there is hope and it's just a matter of taking it one day at a time. Stacey

I think there is lots of good advice here. I've never heard about drinking something warm 30 minutes before eating, but that sounds good. I also get full fast and have been worried because I'm not drinking as much protein liquid as I should. The people who've "been there, done that" in my support group have told me that that is common to a lot of people. And they say, "Don't worry. Eat what you can. Don't force food. After a while it will become easier. Just be patient." So, I'm just trying the patience thing. Also, I am 4 weeks out but still on pureed food for 2 more weeks. And then, I can only eat "soft" food to 2 more weeks. I wonder if you are just moviing to fast on the solid food.

Congrats on the weight loss. I know exactly what you are talking about. I'm 2 1/2 wks out and having the same problem. I called the nurse yesterday morning and she told me I may have to do liquids, pro drinks, and peanut butter with or without crackers. She also told me to take two chewable antacids in the morning and again in the evening through the weekend and let her know Monday if it doesn't help. It's already helping a lot. She told me that during the final stages of healing the entrance to the stomach can swell some for a few days and then go back down and be fine with food again. Good luck. If it isn't better in a few days call the doctors office. They should be able to help. Billie

Thanks for all the advice!! I'm so glad to have this board where everyone is going through similar experiences! Keep in touch, Stacey