It was easier to eat my first few weeks post-op than it is now. Tummy trouble in FL

I accidentally just posted a similar message in OH's forum. If you read twice, my apologies. My pouchie is grouchy lately. Did anyone else find that eating was more difficult after a few weeks than it was at first? I will call my surgeon on Monday, but could use a little encouragement now. My surgery was 12/27/2006. Thanks for reading!

Elizabeth from your profile it shows you just had the surgery one month ago today. Your still a very newbie. And your body is still adjusting to the new insides you've created. Give your surgeon a call but I'm sure they'll chuckle and ask you to be patient and give yourself more time to re-coup. Everyone is different some adjust right away others as myself took longer such as I took 2 months to totally adjust. Start filling in your profile not only to help us understand you situations but to Inspire others to succeed by reading yours. OH Happy one month re-birthing Birthday.

Thanks for replying and for the one month celebration. I'm down 32 pounds, which blows my mind. Elizabeth

Well, your surgeon won't exactly chuckle. What do you meant by a gouchy pouch? Are you vomiting? Don't forget, you had major work on your digestive tract, and it needs time to heal. If you are vomiting, please know that it is NOT normal. If you are on solids, I would back up to soft solids. If you are on soft solids, back up to pureed for a few days. Most are very, very careful in the first few days following surgery. Some also have difficulty branching out with new food choices either out of boredom or impatience. But remember, if you have been vomiting, it is a violent action that can cause the pouch to swell, making eating difficult. It can be a vicious cycle. If you are having this type of repeated vomiting, call the office now and your surgeon will be paged. If you are not vomiting, please describe what is going on a little bit more thoroughly. Remember your pouch rules and chew chew chew! HTH, Kristen

Hi Kristen! I feel like I know you so well as you work in my surgeon's office and I handed all my money over to you, lol. Thanks for your reply. I had a few times that I vomited, but I think it was over me returning to work and not remembering all my pouch rules. I am going to call the office and talk to the dr or one of the nurses just to be on the safe side. I went through a lot to decide, prepare and pay for this surgery and I don't want to undo my surgery by ignoring symptoms. I have for many years had sinus problems that irritate my stomach and that is a part of the problem too. But I have found that if I feel nausea, that stopping for awhile and either switching food or sitting up straight and chewing better that I can feel better. It was just so easy for me at first that I guess I was forgeting the "pouch rules." On the positive side, at one month out I am 32 lbs down. Thanks! Elizabeth

LOL, you are too funny. Vomiting is a violent action or reaction, and it will easily irritate (swell) your stoma and pouch. The next time you try to eat something, you may vomit again due to the swelling. And it just keeps going. I had a bad cycle of vomiting early on post-op, and Dr. Kim prescribed a liquid med that healed the swelling from the inside (bathing and coating the swelled tissues). Each person is different, but "backing up a stage" after vomiting is a good idea. Also, warm herbal tea helps the pouch to relax, too. Call today, okay? Congratulations on your 32 pounds! That is wonderful! Be sure to tell the nurse that when you call as well. We love celebrating your successes with you! Kristen