4 weeks out and a little lost, some advice please?

For those that know me or are at least familiar with my status lately, its been very rough the past couple of weeks. Ever since my endoscopy a little over a week ago my severe nausea and inability to keep liquids down changed into constant sharp stabs of pain in my stomach, sides and chest. I started to eat a little, stickingto just baked fish, but my pain kept me laid up in bed almost constantly. If not for my mom I would have definitely dehydrated as even getting up to refill my cup with ice cold water (the only thing that seemed to help easse the pain) was too much for me. I saw my surgeon again and all he could say was "tough it out." I dont like my surgeons indifference and cold demeanor (at least to me it is). it was also quite a blow to me that I hadn't lost any weight since my last visit. It...scared and severely disturbed me and just made me much more upset over the pain that kept me from walking/exercising. Combiningthat with finally eating a little every now and then, I guess its not surprising. Dr. Teixeira advised me to try new foods besides fish, like yogurt, and get off the puree diet. Since yogurt's smell makes me gag I tried mashed beans instead with a little hot sauce. It has become my best friend even though I only started trying it last Friday. For the first time in over a month I spent a day with my mom and family friend and NJ, and it was a very painful experience. It was very hot outside (Sunday, 96 degrees oO) and they kept pushing me to try new foods. I love tac obell now, they serve the bean thing like i eat it except they add cheese and use refried beans. I didn't eat alot of it, an ounce or 2 and I was already in alot of pain. I tried not to hate myself that I still was too fat to fit in the booth, but seeing a movie (Ratatouile) and again fitting in a movie theatre seat helped abate that. Later we ate at Dennys, and I tried hot wings, the tenderest meat they had on the menu. I had ot wipe it with a wet naptkin but I was able to eat one piece which must have been a little more than 1 ounce of meat. That really hurt. After that it was a rush to quick check for ice chips and heading straight home where I could be in pain in peace at least. Heres my problem after that update. I woke up a few hours ago, and I decided to eat something. My mom brought home a leftover soft taco from taco bell and I decided to eat it.  I chewed it thoroughly like I have everything (almost 35 chews for every little bite) and though there was a little discomfort after I finished, it....didn't hurt. I also realize I haven't had a sharp stab of pain since I've woken up and...cripes, is it normal that I feel scared? I've gotten so used to being incapacitated by the pain, by eating even the slightest thing making me feel like I swallowed a softball, and her eI just ate 3 ounces of food and it wasn't pureed or part of the pureed diet and I'm not doubled over in pain. I feel kinda scared. I had to cancel my ged classes because I was too sick to go to placement testing and I havent been on a walk in over a week. All Ive been able to do is walk around in my room for a few minutes a few times a day. So now I guess I feel scared because it feels like I've forgotten how or what it was like to do everything else. I'll have to wait till next semester for next classes, but I'm scared I'm gonna gain or not lose wait. I'm scared of my walks again, heh.. I'm also scared the pain will come back again.. I guess the real feeling that scares me is that the going gor the walks, and how I used to normally be without the pain and nausea is just so....unfamiliar to me. I know I've done it before but I feel like I'm facing it for the first time again. I know I have t od othese things, but has anyone felt like this? Had a really rough time and then the very first day or moment it seems to lessen or get better you feel lost?

I am not a Dr by anymeans.. But now at 4 years out, it sounds like when I would eat too fast or too much. I remember when I first was able to eat solid food I would have a piece of meat about the size of a dice and 1 tater tot and full. Anything else and severe pain, times I thought I was having a heart attack. But with time and I used a note book to write down everything I ate and the results. Some items I learned to stay away from until later down the road.Used this to log water  and protien intake, exercise etc. Also when going to Dr for follow up's took this with me and found out that I was eating too little and had to change my diet some. Also any bread products made me severly ill. I can know just start tolerating bread items. Any thing with yeast was a big no no. good luck, and never be afraid to ask questions. But if in doubt always check with your Dr, he knows best. I have ended up with 2 emergency surgerys since my RNY. And both could have had a very bad outcome if they had been ignored. Betty Jo Lap RNY 7/11/03 399.5/210/150 238.75 inches gone

Hi, I'm sorry you're having a really bad time...but, I might suggest you try to stay away from spicy and gassy foods.  At four weeks I ate a lot of cottage cheese, low-fat deli meats and low-fat,low-sugar pudding.  I am 8-1/2 weeks out and still am very careful with what I eat.  I have eaten baked chicken...mashed pototoes..steamed veggies.  The items that you are eating "out" probably are high in fat...that could effect your system.  Good Luck and I hope you feel better... Rosemary

Alexx, I am sorry that you are going through this rough time right now, now that it wil pass and it is something that takes time to relearn how our bodies work now. I have to agree with Rosemary, you should stay away from the fast good, gasy goods right about now and stick to the yogurt and cottage cheeses! The soft things that will give you more protein. Do you drink any protein shakes? 

Well, I've been trying to stick to things with protein, and the spicy hasn't really been affecting me. As I saidit was just any food in itself that was painful. Today is the first day the pain has faded to just discomfort, which is strangely unsettling. What kind of yogurt do you suggest? I can't find the kind my surgeon suggests "sugar free and fat free greek yogurt." I've been looking for something called Oikos by stoneyfield farms but my local rocer doesnt have it. I ha ven't been able to tolerate my protein shake in like 2 weeks. I'm gonna try it again today since I seem to be feeling better, hopefully I can keep it down, though Im not looking forward to it. I guess  Ican try deli meats and such. I haven't had much energy to do anything till today really, and when I went out yesterday I tried t oeat whatever was best and available. *sigh* Im sure the nutritionist will go on a rant, but in all honesty, I feel like I don't care if she does (partially). Its been hell the past few weeks and everything I've done and allowed them to do to me hasn't helped.  I feel like I've been in this all on my own, though I know my mom does help me alot, I feel very disconnected from everyone and everything. Maybe finally being able to go for a walk today will help normalize things.

Oh I eat the Dannon Carb Control low sugar yogurts and just love them, I get mine at Wal-Mart but I have also gotten them at the local store. they come in the 4 oz containers and taste great! I also have been adding some granola recently but I am not sure you can have that at this stage. Hang in there hun and remember this all takes time. It is a hard journey but SOOO woth it in the end...

Your further out of recovery than I am and your having so many more issues that I can even dream of having...I say get back into your doctors office ASAP!!! and if he won't see you find another surgeon who will or if he dismisses you like he seems to have done (from reading your post) see another doctor. I can't imagine what your going through but I do wish you all the best!

Welcome back to the land of the living! It's great to have you back amongst us. In all seriusness you don't have to feel scared, this is wonderful, it's good and healthy to be pain free. I'd stay away from the fast food as much as you possibly could, it could lead to unhealthy choices and trends back to the place we just came from!   Get out there and start walking even if it's the mall or some other cool area. I do most of my exercising before 7am or after 8pm...although it's 94 degrees at 6:35pm which is crazy. I went walking at lunch today and I felt like heck in a handbasket afterwards. Best of luck to you my friend, ANDI