What are the Foamies?

Well, I pushed things too far again today at lunch - eating a little too much and probably a little too fast.  I ended up with what I guess are the foamies, and then threw up in the car as I was approaching the freeway on-ramp.  I kept belching, but in addition to air, I would get the foamy saliva that I would have to swallow again, which would seem to add more air to be belched up the next time.  Eventually the omelet came with everything else.  I pulled over around the corner and threw up some more, and thought that this was no fun!  I've heard about the foamies a couple of times on OH, but I've forgotten.  What causes them?  How can I cope with them without losing lunch?  How can I avoid getting them altogether?  Is it my eating too fast?  Is it from eating stuff the pouch isn't ready to accept?  Help! -- Carol

Hi Carol - I've always connected the foamies with dumping - The first time I got the foamies was with an oven omlette... delicious, but I ate too much too fast and boom - I don't know how far out you are, but mine happened pretty early on after surgery - I may have been rushing new foods into my pouch. I do remember feeling great after, though not during! I'd say to still be careful about what you eat and as you mentioned, be careful of the too much, too fast thing! C h e e r s, gene

Carol, I think you are pushing the envelope way too soon.  I am guessing the main problem is eating too fast, and the secondary one is eating stuff that your pouchie doesn't like.  Don't swallow the foam.  Spit it out.  You make it worse by swallowing it.  Don't ever drink water thinking it will pu**** down.  That doesn't work either.  Eggs were very hard for me when I was first out.  Had them in the beginning, but they didn't do well at all, so I waited until I was about six months out before I tried again.  Good luck!!!  Hugs!! Jillie

My thoughts...If you eat to fast or do not chew your food well enough, the food will sit at the bottom of the pouch.  It remains stuck there for a while.  It can't go into the small intestine.  The saliva builds up...can't go anywhere either.  That is why it is so important (esp. early on) to chew slowly (and long), and to eat slowly.  Prevents the foamies.  As the pouch gets larger and the opening to the base of the pouch enlarges...It becomes easier to eat more regularly and less foamies.  Brian

Thank you all for answering.  It sounds like I was right - too much too fast.  I had pureed soup for dinner, and definitely took my time, and I was fine.  I just need to learn to make haste more slowly...  Carol

It really is trial by error.  Once you get used to "that feeling", it will be okay.   I STILL get the foamies at almost 3 years out.....you just need to LISTEN to your body and realize when enough is enough.  (I know easier said then done at times) Good luck to you! Listen to what your body tells you and you will be aiiiiight!

our doc had us on liquids for the first three weeks, then pureed for three weeks...omelettes already??? your pouchie is not ready for it!!

Does your doc have an eating protocol for you to follow??

take care!!

Lori