I have a Confession

For those of you who do not know I have had to have 2 adjustments on my stoma becasue I had a stricture. Everytime I just get to the point where I can eat normal food I have to start all over from liquids and work my way up. The first time wasn't so bad, but I have really been fighting to stay away from solid food. I am at a stalemate right now with my weight loss and I am either eating things I shouldn't be or not eating very much at all. I know the reason for the slow down in weight loss, but I am really having a hard time still being on the liq/puree diet. I actually cried the other day because my family was having grilled chicken and I couldn't have any. Just to taste normal food again would be great. I even ate about 1/2 of a chicken nugget yesterday and I had boiled ham for dinner last night. Am I going to ruin this wonderful gift I have been given? I am getting very down on myself and this whole procedure. I wonder if I made a mistake and if things will ever be somewhat normal again.

Hi Christine, Don't be so hard on yourself. You have been going through so much. Not everyone has to go through two adjustments and to have to start all over again is very difficult. Some people find it harder to be on liquids than others. I suffered terrible cravings during the liquid stage and wasn't any better until I got to the pureed stage. So it is understandable. Try to hold out for a little while longer on the pureed stage. Keep reminding yourself that once you get past this, you will be able to eat solids for the rest of your life. I know it is hard not to think you made a mistake. But all that will do is make you feel worse. The truth is that you did it and you may not be experiencing any of the benefits right now, but they will come!!! I promise you, that scale with start moving again and you will feel like you have a new lease on life. Just HOLD ON!! Hugs, Dawn

Hi Christine, Don't be so hard on yourself. You have been going through so much. Not everyone has to go through two adjustments and to have to start all over again is very difficult. Some people find it harder to be on liquids than others. I suffered terrible cravings during the liquid stage and wasn't any better until I got to the pureed stage. So it is understandable. Try to hold out for a little while longer on the pureed stage. Keep reminding yourself that once you get past this, you will be able to eat solids for the rest of your life. I know it is hard not to think you made a mistake. But all that will do is make you feel worse. The truth is that you did it and you may not be experiencing any of the benefits right now, but they will come!!! I promise you, that scale with start moving again and you will feel like you have a new lease on life. Just HOLD ON!! Hugs, Dawn

Hi Christine, Don't be so hard on yourself. You have been going through so much. Not everyone has to go through two adjustments and to have to start all over again is very difficult. Some people find it harder to be on liquids than others. I suffered terrible cravings during the liquid stage and wasn't any better until I got to the pureed stage. So it is understandable. Try to hold out for a little while longer on the pureed stage. Keep reminding yourself that once you get past this, you will be able to eat solids for the rest of your life. I know it is hard not to think you made a mistake. But all that will do is make you feel worse. The truth is that you did it and you may not be experiencing any of the benefits right now, but they will come!!! I promise you, that scale with start moving again and you will feel like you have a new lease on life. Just HOLD ON!! Hugs, Dawn

Hi Christine, Don't be so hard on yourself. You have been going through so much. Not everyone has to go through two adjustments and to have to start all over again is very difficult. Some people find it harder to be on liquids than others. I suffered terrible cravings during the liquid stage and wasn't any better until I got to the pureed stage. So it is understandable. Try to hold out for a little while longer on the pureed stage. Keep reminding yourself that once you get past this, you will be able to eat solids for the rest of your life. I know it is hard not to think you made a mistake. But all that will do is make you feel worse. The truth is that you did it and you may not be experiencing any of the benefits right now, but they will come!!! I promise you, that scale with start moving again and you will feel like you have a new lease on life. Just HOLD ON!! Hugs, Dawn

Next time you get a taste for some 'normal food", take a taste of it.....just don't SWALLOW. I know it sucks having to revert back to soft foods again. I had to do the same thing because I had my wisdom teeth out. Between not being able to open my jaw very much, and tender teeth, it's been rough....and I was just getting to really be able to have normal food, and I'm rebelling being 'forced' to go back to cottage cheese & souip. So I know where you're coming from. Buyer's remorse is common post-op when you're still in the "more trouble than its worth" stage, but eventually the scales will tip and you'll find more benefits. If it turns out that they really can't resolve the stricture thing, there's always the possibility of a revision to the type of surgery I had - which has no stoma to cause strictures. No matter what happens, there is hope. --BT