Seven Weeks Post-Op and Still Throwing Up

I am seven weeks post-op tomorrow, and I can tolerate two things: Petite Quiches (1.5 ounces, mashed into a paste) and tomato soup. Almost everything else makes me vomit. Even my multi-vitamin and calcium supplements make me foamy and vomit. So - I have gotten into a routine during the last three weeks (while sick) of no supplements. Not a lot of water. I know - stupid. I take my Pepcid in the morning, followed by two petite quiches. Lunch is two petite quiches. Dinner may be two petite quiches, or tomato Soup at Hand. Two mugs of tea. I am just so tired of vomiting. Of course, my weight loss has come to a virtual standstill. 37 pounds so far. I lose about one pound a week. I wonder what I should be losing at this stage, with the proper diet? I do know how fortunate I am to have had this surgery, and that I must start doing things right, right now. I was just so tired of vomiting everything - everywhere - that I thought that if I stepped back a bit things would be better. But I sit here now, after some very, very tender beef masticated into a pulp, I am going to vomit again. FYI, I was going to try and see my surgeon tomorrow since I have recurring pain in my left abdomen, but my son is sick again (third time in 4 weeks) and child care is a challenge. I will see him this week, though, and will be honest about what I haven't been doing. All advice is welcome. Please don't spank me, though. Kristen

Kristen, I am sorry that you are struggling. You do need to speak to your doctor so that he can adivse you on what you should be doing at this point. I assume your body is hanging on to your weight since you are eating such a small amount, even by post-op standards. Can you add another soup or more quiche to your day to help increase your calories and try to convince your body you are not in starvation mode? When I moved from pureed foods to solids, I really struggled and got sick a lot, but it wasnt as bad as you have described. My surgeon said beef would be last meat I would be able to tolerate and to start with fish and chicken. So shrimp, tuna and chicken salad were my saving grace in the beginning. Regular chicken is still a problem unless it is in a sauce and skinless, I've yet to try steak or any cut of beef other than loose ground beef, still havent tried a burger since I got royally ill off my first attempt. Now 6 months later, I can eat most anything if I remember to chew thoroughly and eat slowly. There are a few things that I still purposely avoid like sweets, bread and rice. I hope you are feeling better soon, I know you must be frustrated and burnt out on quiche. Hang in there and keep us posted. Amy

Hi Amy, Thank you for your response. Beef was my last resort. I have thrown up crab, shrimp, salmon, tuna and chicken. I remember what you once posted about the hamburger so I steered clear of it as well. Yes, quiche is getting old but at least I can eat it, I remind myself. I am going to try another meal tonight of quiche, or maybe even yogurt to up my calories. Cross your fingers? Kristen

Kristen, I know I didn't get in the required protein and water for a couple of months after surgery. I pretty much lived on tomato soup, egg drop soup, sugar free jello, sugar popsicles and fat free cottage cheese. I continued to lose fast though. Anything else I got really sick just like you describe. I felt remarkably better at exactly the post 2 month mark and now have no problem getting in sufficien****er and protein. Good luck. LuvitsunnyV@goal

Hi Ruthanna, Thank you for the information! Egg drop soup didn't have too much sodium? I love egg drop soup, maybe that is something for me to try. The mugs of tea and soup that I drink feel so soothing, especially now that the weather has turned cold (by Florida statdards, that is!) Kristen

I think Amy covered it pretty well but I just wanted to send my support. I am just ahead of you at 8 weeks. I have been pretty lucky. I seem to tolerate most everything unless there is oil involved and meat is not very friendly. I don't do meat very well unless it is in a sauce. I have learned to take my ground beef, I add protein powder and a little wheat germ, and steak sauce. (Kinda like a personal meatloaf) that seems to do okay. Chili does fine and I have eaten lots of refried beans. I know you are tired of throwing up. I seem to know when I get up from the table when I need to just go ahead to the restroom. Man I hate that. But like you, I am thankful for the surgery and we just have to hang in there until our baby bellies calm down. Good luck and take care. Carol -40#

Hi Carol, Thank you for your support. I have tried Wendy's chili, focusing on the beans. I have wanted to try refried beans but I am not sure I'll take to anything new anymore. I used to take pinto beans, mash them, and melt cheese on top. Less expensive than canned refriend beans, not as much fat, and tastes just as yummy. Kristen

Kristen, Since you're getting sick all the time, what about doing full liquids or only soft food? Forget about beef, it's the worst thing. Try cottage cheese maybe, or blended soup of some kind? What are you doing about protein? I noticed in your profile that you don't tolerate them well. Have you tried different kinds - milk vs. water based? I don't really have any other suggestions, except to call your surgeon and talk to him. I had an anti-nausea med that I took just once, but it was liquid and maybe stronger (better?) than Pepcid. Good luck and please update us! Jan

Hi Jan, Thank you for your reply. I guess that I am back on soft foods. The quiches have 14g of protein for 6 (a days worth) and the soup has 3g. So, as you can see, I am far below where I should be at in terms of protein. That makes me nervous. I guess my frustration is two-fold. The vomiting, of course. But I had this surgery because I didn't want food to dominate my life anymore. Now it is even more so. I just have to keep reminding myself that I need to practice my new eating habits so they become second nature and I won't have to dwell on them so much. If I had more protein, would my weight loss to date be higher, perhaps? Kristen

Kristen, are you saying that 14 + 3 = 17 grams of protein for an entire day? I don't know if getting more protein will increase your weight loss, but it will certainly help prevent you from starving your brain which needs protein to work and it will help prevent you from losing muscle mass instead of fat!! And don't forget about hair loss too! You need protein more than any other nutrient. I'd concentrate on that above all else. I think you will lose faster when you're able to increase your calories. Can you add some protein powder to any liquid at all? Have you experimented with eating MUCH slower or eating warm vs. cold items? Sometimes I've heard that temperatures play a big part in what you can tolerate. Eating slower is better. Please keep trying and trying to find something that works!! Also I hope you're planning to talk to your surgeon SOON. Good luck, Jan