2.5 months out - Is this all normal?

Hey all!  Surery was 12/4 and I was miserable for 6 weeks - like wishing for death miserable.  I am no longer sick like I was but there is a definite learning curve to eating :) I am noticing that I get very gurgly and gassy both before eating and as soon as food goes in - or even water.  I am taking a PPI twice a day and I can tell when it is time to take another. Is this normal?  I have a lot of upper GI gas - it makes lots of noise and there are times I have to belch. I've also noticed that there are times I am eating something and all is good, then one more bite and I am gagging by the taste and texture. I can't handle anything sweet, protein bars and shakes are a no go (except for the CORE POWER shakes with 26g of protein). I also can NOT tolerate any artificial sweeteners. I know the Core Power shakes have about 25 g of carbs but it takes me 2 meals to finish one. Anything I can do? Any tips or tricks? Also, any tips for when you are out and about? What do you take with you? TIA!!!!

Things usually start getting better about now. Keep trying. Stay hydrated. Don't force the dense protein if you're able to get in plenty with shakes. Time will take care of things.   :)

I keep peanuts at my desk and Laughing Cow Babybel cheese in our fridge at work.

--gina  

I have tried nuts and I am ok with that - sometimes. I have been craving steak - which tells me I need more protein - but I am still battling with nausea once I start to eat, and pain in my stomach as soon as food goes in. Sometimes it lets up right away and I can eat, others not so much. My stomach always wins these battles, LOL!

Things will start to get better and more normal.  Don't write off items permanently as things change day to day.  There are days I can handle a food and then on another day, not so well.  I always carry the following with me:  protein powder and a shaker bottle (just add water), bag of mixed nuts/dried fruit, Quest protein bars and cheese sticks.  My hunger is sometimes unpredictable so these things help me.  Good Luck! 

Susan

I WISH I could do protein bars :( They are repulsive to me, literally make me gag. The ONLY protein shake I've been able to handle are the Core Power ones and they are all natural, but I can not even finish one. My sleeve is very small and I wonder if that is part of my problem. He said it holds 2 ounces and he did a very aggressive surgery on me because of my fear of not losing and my past experiences with not losing weight. 

As others have said, it gets better.  I remember feeling like death warmed over for weeks.  And I could eat 1/2 cup of soup with no problems and 6 hours later the smell of any food made me drool and get sick to my stomach.  I just never knew how it was going to sit.  I drank a lot of warm herbal teas.

I had saved my protein samples to try - and they all made me gag.  So I switched to unflavored and then bought the powder with the highest protein grams per scoop once.   You should look for powders that give you at least 85% of protein, 90% and above would be even better. 

I mixed unflavored into yogurt, greek yogurt, SF pudding, coffee with cream, soups, SF hot chocolate, etc.

It's truly a personal journey.   Hope you feel better soon.

Tiny, tight sleeve?  Are you my twin?  You will thank your surgeon for that tiny sleeve down the road.  Truly.  But right now it's miserable.  I know.

For the PPI, read the label.  Mine said to take it first thing in the AM with just a sip of water, then WAIT 15-20 minutes before anything else went in.  If you don't do that, it won't work at all.  So try that, and read the label on yours.  Mine was Prilosec, and I was on it for two 8-week courses.  I have a "pirate" stomach.  It says "AAAARRRGGG" with the least little bit of provocation.  At times it also sounds like a sack of angry kittens, or a flock of muffled geese.  Oh well.  It could be worse.

I do eat a lot of GasX for the tumbly rumbly.  I checked, it's okay to do this. 

Keep your water by your side, ALL THE TIME.  And keep on with the shakes.  Lots of shake protein = no hair loss down the road.  Trust me, I never lost hair.  And I always got in at least 90 grams of protein from DAY ONE.  With shakes and liquid protein. 

Out and about:  At your point, string cheese, packets of peanut butter, and beef jerky (IF you are really careful and chew it TO DEATH).  I used to keep sample packets of Syntrax Nectars in my purse also for emergencies when I was out without anything.  Bottle of water, packet, good to go.

I hate protein bars.  They all make me sick.  Ditto on Muscle Milk.  You're not alone.

If you're having a 3-month appointment with Dr Smith, definitely discuss all the issues you're having and when they hit you. Something might be off and he would pick up on it.

--gina

Ricotta cheese is full of protein and easy to get down.  I love to add a little vanilla and orange extracts and a pinch of sugar to make an orange creme treat.