Advice Please

Okay so I am 9 days post and on the week 2 portion of the diet (SF pudding and cream soups).  I went to the Olive Garden with a friend today and the waiter was nice enough to bring me just a very small bowl of alfredo sauce.  All was well until I took a bite and realized he had shredded some cheese on it.  Before I realized it, I swallowed about a half spoon size clump of melted cheese.  I hear all kinds of things about not chewing enough and blocking the stoma.  I feel fine but was wondering what I should look for symptom wise and what are the chances that one half bite will cause a blockage. Thanks Christy

Although I am not sure which surgery you had, I would assume its the same for RNY as it is Lapband, if you were stuck or blocked you would already know.  I get a tightness in my chest if I am blocked or "stuck".  I am sure you are fine, just be careful to follow your docs orders, he has them for a reason.  Good Luck, dont stress you will be fine!  Congrats on your surgery!

Thanks for the reply.  It sounds like you've been blocked or "stuck" before, what do you do about it?

Well I had Lap Band surgery, so when I am blocked or stuck it wont be long before it comes right back up.  I have never had a "severe" incident and dont want to.  I have heard some other stories of people who wouldnt even be able to keep down water, so they would have to go in for an "unfill" for it to pass.  Not sure what happens for an RNY patient who is "stuck".  Some folks keep Papaya Enzymes on had to help digest, but not sure how well that works.  Hopefully some others will chime in for you! 

Christy, Cheese usally does very well. If you get something stuck you are going gto know it. What has happend with me is the foamys start and I can feel whatever it is not going through. It has been painful and very uncomfortable. If you drink sometimes that helps and sometimes it does not. Sometimes liquid can make what is stuck swell. Wls and what you can and cant eat is so much trial and error but you will learn what works and does not. I refuse to eat scrambled eggs to this day because it was the first thing to get stuck.                                               Annie

I agree that cheese is probably ok.  I think you will be fine and I commend you on stopping and recognizing what you did.  You will know it if something is stuck.  Be careful when you are eating and drinking to not do it too fast.  That is what happened to me in the hospital and my pills got very stuck.  I'm glad I was in the hospital and not home yet.  I would have freaked!    I know now what to do...sip sip sip...chew chew chew all the time!! Connie

Christy -

Like everyone else said, if you had something stuck or a blockage you would know and FAST. I'm glad that it wasn't a problem for you. One of things I did a lot when I first had my surgery was check websites against my Dr's requirements. This allowed me to know before I got there what I could order that would stay within the protien, fat, calorie, and carb guidelines ... I'm not sure if Alfredo Sauce would have made it onto the list ... If I remember correctly, I think you had the RNY ... Some folks "dump" on higher fat content foods, so be careful. You don't want to be in a public place and have it happen.

Wishing you all the best as you make your way.

Barb

Everybody pretty much answered the question... I will say however that eating out is tough early out - you really want to check menus before you go places. Even thou you are eating small amounts making good choices is still important... alfredo sauce is loaded with fat and made with heavy cream - if you have RNY you run the risk of dumping so even a little alfredo sauce could have equaled you spending lots of time in the Olive Garden potty... just a warning! :-)