Can SOMEONE ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been on the boards now and I don't usually get many answers to my questions when I post. BUT I would really really appreciate some answers to this question. If this happened to you could you please just respond so I am not the ONLY one. I am having a really hard time this past week and a 1/2 since I have not been able to put any food in my mouth. SInce 9/12/05 and today being 9/22/05 that is a LONG time to me to go with out ANY FOOD as in solids. I would DIE for a triscuit or a saltine or a 1/2 a piece of american cheese JUST SOMETHING!!!!!!!!! I am getting very depressed about this and can't stop crying.. I did cheat a tiny bit and had about 2 oz's of cottage cheese and that was HEAVEN But I was told I can't keep doing that as I am on stage 3 LIQUIDS, Pudding, Broth's et****ill I see Dr Aranow which is not untill the 30th of this month.. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH HELP ME,, OK HERE COME THE TEARS AGAIN!!!!!!!! Gotta run but PLEASE RESOND I NEED TO HEAR THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE AND MAYBE SOME OTHER THINGS I CAN EAT (drink to make me feel as if it is food). Thanks Lisa

Hi Lisa, First of all, you are NOT alone. I remember the first few weeks after surgery being the most difficult. Not from the pain, but from the mental anguish of not being able to eat. I think I sobbed for days. I felt like I had a death in the family. I can't suggest anything to eat other than what is on your list from Dr. Aranow. But I can tell you that you are not alone, I went through it too, and I literally counted the days until I could eat pureed. I did cheat a little and tried to eat something soft, but I got really sick from it, so I don't recommend trying that. Stick to the list and try and keep busy - I know is sounds trivial, but you WILL get there, I promise!!! Love, Tammy

Oh Tammy thanks so much hon for answering me.. I just wanted to make sure I was not the only one who was feeling this big DISATTACHMENT from food. I mean I am sitting in the living room and my husband is cooking and I go hmmmm What are you putting garlic on LOL I can tell or should I say SMELL so much more now that it isn't even funny.. I am going to see if I can get into to Dr. Aranow's office sooner then the 30th so I can at least have a cracker.. Gosh that sounds so sad. LOL Ok well off to my bed I go.. Talk to you soon hon and thanks so much again for responding. Lisa Ann

No you are not alone. What I remember from that stage was not really a desire to eat but just plain boredom with the options I had availible. If I had to order egg drop soup one more time, I was going to strangle the Chinese food delivery man! It was at that point that I realized how much time that I had spent worrying, planning and eating food. With all that gone I felt so alone and just plain bored! And I had all this time on my hands! But Tammy is right, the only thing you can do is keep busy. I don't know if you are up and around (I don't know how long agao your surgery was) but go from some walks, go to some support meetings, begin to do some of the things that you may have been missing out on. It gets better.

Hi Lisa, I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone! The first few months after I had my surgery (6 months ago) were absolute HELL! The broth, pudding, jello, etc just didn't cut it for me and when I was finally able to start eating, I vomited it all back up. That lasted for almost 3 months. The sadness I felt was also so hard to deal with. I felt much better when I started going to the support groups and talking about it instead of sitting around feeling sorry for myself. It will all come in time. Don't push the solids just yet. Dr. Aranow does things for a reason. You need to have time for the pouch to heal-don't overdue or you will pay for it one way or another. He does know best in this case. Just know that you are in no way alone in your feelings. We have all been though it-some just more extreme than others. Keep your chin up and try to smile. You will see the results sooner than you think. Nicki

Hi Lisa, I hear you, I was living on egg drop soup the first few weeks and the thought of solid food was heaven to me. When I was finally able to eat soft foods I just broke out the little food processor and pureed all kinds of neat stuff. So keep the faith girl. Your almost there, better to be safe than sorry. Be Well,. Julio

Hi Lisa, I can't reply as I don't know how it is, yet. But, I'm here to listen to you and to support. Have you tried EVERYTHING on the list? Is there something else that you haven't tried yet that may appeal to you? Hon, for all of these years, we've taken food as our refuge, now we have to try to supplement that with another activity. Take a short walk, play some music and dance, write in a journal, pray, play a game, crochet, catch up on some reading, etc etc. That's all I can come up with now. I was just feeling a bit jittery with this anxious waiting and didn't care for CSI that my hubby was watching, so I got on my walking shoes and just did a mile around my block instead of grabbing something to eat. Hang in there...tomorrow is another day! Paula

Hey Lisa Ann, Sorry to hear you are going through a rough spot...I am pre-op and have wondered about what you wrote about...sounds scary to me. The posts you got back were full of information and support. I want to thank you for asking that question..it helps to know what to anticipate. You are in my thoughts for a speedy recovery and adjustment to your new and healthy life. Colleen

Sounds like you have enough suggestions, but one thing that helped me was to get up and go for a walk when someone was cooking. Go shopping, go see a movie, walk around a mall, walk a mile or two, come back when the meal is done. It's important to condition yourself, to learn a new lifestyle. I decided to eat only when I was hungry, not necessarily when the family ate. It wasn't as cozy, but I didn't want to eat based on habit or schedule, but only out of necessity. This may not work for you, but it did for me. Good luck! --Steve