Pain after eating

Hi everyone, I have been crazy busy and been a "lurker" for some time now. I apologize for not posting often, but now I need some advice: I am having problems with feeling like food is "stuck" about one hour or so after eating. It is really painful, and sometimes I need to take pain killers to get me through. It doesn't seem to have any consistency with certain foods, although I am CERTAIN if I eat rice, pasta, or chicken I will feel this way much sooner than 1 hour, so I do not eat these foods. Lately, it seems that any solids affect me either this way, or with loose stools. I cannot eat salad at all (due to the runs the next day), raw veggies of any kind, or pork, chicken, turkey, ground beef. I can eat beans okay (hate the gas), and crackers and cheese (which are turning out to be staples in my diet). I can eat tangerines and oranges, and about 1/4 of an apple (peeled). I can also tolerate potatoes just fine. As far as sugar, I have not tried it, nor do I want to (thankfully). (I dumped once on sugar alcohols and that did it for me). My usual diet for the day is as follows: Morning: 2 cups coffee with splenda and SF creamer Mid morning: pure protein bar or Nectar protein drink mixed with water (usually 1.5 scoops for 30 g protein) Lunch: 5 whole wheat crackers and 1 oz cheddar cheese Mid afternoon: tangerine -1 small Dinner: variable, but usually no more than 1 small baked potato and a 2 spears of cooked broccoli. Many nights, I opt not to eat dinner, but have a Nectar drink instead. as my stomach gets that TOO FULL feeling mostly at night. Am I eating too much? Is it a stricture? Isn't it kinda late for that? Perhaps an ulcer? Should I see a gastroenterologist and have an upper GI? Can stress be the culprit? My PCP is concerned. Labs are fine, a little low on iron, but that is it. Also, my PCP thinks I shouldn't lose any more weight, but I think I still need to. I am thinking of revising my goal to 135. Please, any opinions/advice appreciated. Denise 5'7" 253/145/150 -revise? to 135?

Hi Denise, is your PCP your surgeon? If not, maybe you should call your surgeon's office. I always think it's best to talk to your doctor about these things, and sometimes, at least for me, the PCP isn't as familiar with what we are going through. I can't really say too much about what you're eating cause I tend to eat the same way. In fact I have probably oatmeal for two meals a day, then I have about three or four nectar drinks. I never eat fruit (gets stuck unless it's a banana), never eat sugar stuff, and no pasta, rice. I was eating a lot of cheese and crackers and had no problem with that, but wasn't really losing much either so I stopped that. I don't know Denise, I know for me I don't eat much, but my labs are all good, and I just think everyone is different. But I think if I were you and were worried, I would talk to the surgeon. And congrats on the weight loss!! You are doing awesome. love donna

I also have the stuck feeling a lot! I had and endoscopy a couple of months ago because the surgeon thought it may be a stricture. It turned out to be 3 ulcers at the connection to my pouch. Have you talked to your surgeon, it might be a good idea to have the endoscopy done just to see whats going on. micha

Hi Denise, From the looks of it, you're not eating enough at all. How are you getting in all of your protein in one day with just one ounce of cheese and a shake or two? You've got to incorporate solid foods slowly into your diet and chew, chew, chew them until they are puree in your mouth. Dip them in sauces or dressings so they can go down easier. I would definately call your surgeon who's an expert in this area. Has it been going on like this since the beginning?? He/she can refer you to the proper specialists that know about WLS patients and get to the bottom of this. Make sure you're taking your vitamins, for you can easily get malnurished from not eating enough. Hang in there and keep us posted as to what you find out about it. Paula I hope you can find out what this is.

Denise, From what I understand a stricture can happen at anytime. I would contact my surgeon if I were you and let him know what has been going on. Good luck! Keep us posted Krista