Food Hurts!! 1 month post-op and getting depressed

Hi all. I had surgery May 9 and haven't posted anything since having surgery. Surgery went fine but am struggling with food. My doc starts us on food pretty quickly. So things that I could eat initially, I am having trouble with. I have gotten sick and spit-up nearly on a daily basis. It is frustrating and beginning to depress me. My weight loss also slowed to a crawl after the initial 2 weeks post op. When I eat most things, it feels like I have swallowed a hard piece of plastic and it's stuck in my esophegus (or however you spell it). Any suggestions or recipes for non sweet stuff? I'm so sick of shakes and pudding.. Thanks

Hey Merril, I too have been having problems with food, although I haven't spit-up, I have the trots. After I eat something once, I'm not able to tolerate it again, as I get nauseous. I can't take the shakes, and I fear I'm not getting my protein numbers in. I just asked for a meatloaf recipe on the main message board, and I was given a link to Tooters recipe site, perhaps you'll get a few ideas from there. I have only been able to tolerate saltine crackers with whipped cream cheese, I may try to add a bit of chopped up nova to the mix today. My weight loss has also come to a crawl, even though I've been eating very little. I believe I'm going to try the meatloaf for dinner tonight. Best -- Clare

Are you chewing your food to a pulp? You really need to slow your eating down and chew the food til it is pulverized. It takes alot of conscious effort to do that but you've got to help the food along. There are no stomach acids to break it down anymore and the exit from your new stomach is very small. If you swallow too big a bite - it is going to come up since it cannot fit down. If you continue to throw up and you are eating soups/broths or liquids, then see your doctor. You could have a stricture. Good luck, Kathy

I have to agree with the above...as I have had the same problem. In the beginning I was eating slower, making sure to chew chew chew, but after I got a little comfortable with food, I dropped back into an old habit of eating fast. By eating too fast - or - not chewing the food down to small enough size, mu****'ll hurt right in the middle, just below the breasts. I have to concentrate when I eat, because when I don't pay attention, I end up in pain. Good luck!

Dear Merril, Another thought my dietician passed along.......position! Be sure you are sitting straight up or slightly back to avoid crimping off your new anatomy and facilitate swallowing and digestion. Good luck....and remember even little problems are big ones to us right now.....so call your doctor and discuss. God Bless Sally 5/24/05 318/270/48 Whoopie!

Merril, Hi there. I had surgery on May 10th at UCLA. Have you tried the unflavored protein? I used that for the first couple of weeks. I mixed it in with chicken broth, and then I mixed it with some creamed soups I got at Trader Joes. They have this awesome Organic Creamed Corn Soup that is completely pureed and to me tasted like heaven! I also drank the Isopure Clear premade drinks that I got at the Vitamin Shoppe. Not my favorite, but they have a lot of protein so it worked. I also feel pain if I drink too much. I have to take baby sips. It is very hard to get my required liquid amount in each day. Hopefully you will be able to increase the amount you can eat or swallow soon. Please email me anytime you want, and I'd be happy to give you my phone number if you want to talk. Deanna

I've found a few things that I've held down successfully that aren't so bad. Chicken salad from Walmart, it's pretty much pureed and it's the only meat I can tolerate. Egg drop soup...has protein and is nice and hot and feels good in the pouch. Mashed potatoes with gravy. Gives me a excuse to swing by KFC. Good luck! Stephanie