Is what I am feeling normal?

Good morning everyone!  I'm beginning to get a little worried about myself.  Everytime I eat, I feel yucky for a while afterwards.  I had an egg with some cheese this morning and didn't eat more than two bites and my pouch feels like it's contracting around it.  Is that normal?  Do you all feel that way?  I don't know about this feeling at all.  It's almost like I would feel better if I would just throw up the food and drink.  I'm almost 3 weeks out and should be able to do more than just liquids and refried beans....or should I?

Hugs,
Marsha

Marsha, I'm not RNY, but even with the lap band I was "afraid" to eat for a little while, until I figured out it wasn't going to hurt.

Marsha:

If this feeling continues longer than a couple of days you need to be contacting your surgeon.  You WILL have fear feelings and it does take a little bit of time to get back to eating more than a couple bites, however, if you continue to do this for any length of time and coupled with any issues with drinking there could be a problem. However, only your surgeon would be able to direct you appropriately.

At 3 weeks out a couple of bites sounds perfectly normal to me.  Bites should be no more than the tip of an eraser size (chew to liquid form)- it would surprise me if you could only eat a few of these, but attempt is definitely you need to do.  At the most I would think about a 1/4 of an egg is probably about what I could eat at the same point.  The few bites you have you may have to span over the course of 20-30 minutes to let your pouch get used to things.

Seriously, if it goes for any period of time or you begin to not be able to hold down what you eat or drink - you need to contact the surgeon.  Strictures are not uncommon at this timeline - BUT it does not always mean it is a stricture.  It could (as I said earlier) just be a fear of eating and getting used to what your body wants and doesn't want.

It is IMPORTANT to listen to your body!!  Hunger itself manifests itself differently after surgery - if you are nauseaus it could be dehydration too.  Keep a journal of what each thing feels and what you are doing or eating or drinking.  This will help if you have to talk to the surgeon about what is happening and then you won't have to think so hard as well.

Ruth

Thanks Ruth and Debra...I think maybe I am taking too big of bites.  I think I don't realize just how big it is.  I do chew and chew, but still maybe it's way too much.  I have been documenting how it makes me feel, and honestly, eggs have never set well with me anyway, so maybe I just can't eat eggs at all.  I kept it down, but felt like heck for a while.  I'm better and making some decaf tea, so that should settle my stomach in addition to the phenagran I used.  Maybe it is fear too, I just don't like the feeling.  :)  I'm trying to eat more protein because I'm hardly losing anything at all, and yesterday I had refried beans for lunch, and I did take a couple of bites of guacamole, which I am probably not suppose to have, but we were at a Mexican restaurant and it looked so good.  It didn't make me feel bad either.  Woohoo, the chips didn't even bother me!!!  :)  That's such a relief for me.  For breakfast yesterday I had a protein shake, then another protein shake at dinner time.  I wasn't hungry, but the shake last night made me nauseous.  Yesterday morning it was fine.  I don't know what my body is doing to me!  LOL  It's probably asking what the heck I did to it!

If it does continue after I make a conscious effort to slow down and eat smaller bites,  I will contact Dr. Walton.  I just don't want to bother him with something that isn't necessary.  I know you guys are saying he wouldn't mind, he wants to know, but I'm funny that way...invading his weekend wouldn't be cool if it turned out to be my fault.  I will call if it continues later.

Thanks agian girls!

Hugs,
Marsha

Marsaha,

I think you wrote my exact same post..  Sorry to hear your not feeling well, I too had dinner last night, some beans and boy it was sour on my tummy.. I just felt dizzy, upset stomach, and couldn't turn or do anything.  About 2 hours later, I went to the restroom and relieved it and I felt so much better.  I had a egg yesterday morning, and it was so so.. But I too, have never really liked eggs.. Right now I am trying a piece of turkey meat with mustard to see how that will sit.  I did get nauseas off my protein drink the other morning, but I am thinking I drank it to fast.  I can only get 3-4 sips down of it before I feel full...   Hang in there, sounds like we are on the same exact path.. Remember little bites, and take it slow..

Hang in there,
Sheila

Thanks Sheila,

I am starting to get a little worried about myself. I finally got sick, but all I got rid of was the tea I had drank.  I won't be eating eggs again, and chicken is off my list...I'm not going to be able to eat anything.  I am going to try some tuna later on.  I have slept off and on all day, which is highly unusual for me, but I think the phenagran had something to do with that.  Was suppose to go to Shawnee this evening to visit my friend, but called him and told him I couldn't go.  I just don't feel like driving up there.

I hope you feel better soon also.

Hugs,
Marsha

Marsha - try just doing something like the refried beans or cottage cheese - a very small amount - or liquids the rest of today and wait until tomorrow.  It is a try try try again kind of thing when you being eating again.  Again, if it continues you MUST call the doctor.  Make sure you are getting in your liquids so you do not get dehydrated - try the protein drink - even if it is a couple of sips - anything to keep some energy input.

Some people do not do well with the eggs - even months after surgery - it is a very personal kind of thing and it can change from day to day or week to week too.  The chicken just was not possible for me early on - could not get it wet enough to choke it down.  It took me a long time to get the chicken or tuna in - I actually had better luck with hamburger as soon as I got it approved.  But that is where everyone differs.

KEEP TRYING THINGS!!!  And call the hospital or doctor if this continues please!!

Ruth

The only chicken I have been able to handle is the canned kind made into a salad with some miracle whip. Any other makes me . Hamburger is much easier on me I have been lucky and able to do eggs as long as they are not greasy. But I have never handles grease well since I had my gall bladder was removed.  Cottage cheese is kind to my stomach and so is the 2% cheese sticks I like the colby jack.  Beans are delish and easy on the tummy for me as well. (I never liked beans before surgery but do now go figure)   But there is days even now at 2 months out todaythat I can't handle more than a few bites. i find that I can get my shakes in and most of my water easier in the morning than I can later and if I do it that way I can eat a better meal in the evenings. I still only eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup max.   Lunch is always really light for me but I make an effort to eat something I will admitto not eating a real breakfast I do a high protien drink instead.

I am feeling much better tonight and ate some melted 2% cheese for dinner.  I think I'm going to be one that chicken isn't going to work for...that makes me sad, since I love it.  Oh well, maybe someday it will work.  Eggs are definitely off the list now.  I don't eat much of a breakfast, but have been trying to get something in, just because I seem to lose better if I get in three meals.  Yesterday I had two protein shakes, and one meal.  I usually do a very lite lunch, just because I don't know how it is going to affect me and I don't want to get sick at school.  The kids don't know I had surgery and I don't want them thinking something is wrong.  It's going to be trial and error with me for a while I guess.  My niece, Jen, has been able to eat almost anything since mushies....she can't eat beef, but chicken is great for her.  I'm jealous...but then again, maybe it's going to be better for me!  :)

Hugs,
Marsha

I am glad that you were able to eat something tonight. Chees ehas been my friend, but I have to be careful and make sure that I take some Miralax at least every other day so it no longer becomes an issue for me.  Oh yeah you might want to watch fruits at school I did an apple ok but got brave and tried  no sugar added canned pears 3 halves and I paid fo rit all night long. i have beed terrified to try any more fruit since. But know I will have to later on.