EIGHT YEARS POST RNY---DON'T WANT TO EAT

HI TO EVERYONE

I haven't been on here in a very long while.  I am still sustaining 150 pound weight loss but have been having food issues for the last two years.  I suspect a lot of it is due to stress:  my husband died of cancer 19 months ago and was ill for one year and ten months before that.  I also retired early to take care of him.  The problem is that almost everything I eat makes me nauseous or gives me pain for 30-45 minutes after I eat.  I can still only eat about one measuring cup of anything--even soup or a protein shake.  I'm not complaining about what I can't eat--but I worry that I don't take in enough nutrients to keep my internal organs healthy.

I've seen a nutritionist who said one cup is fine but to eat more often--the problem is I don't want to eat at all.  I am scheduled for an endoscopy to see if I have scar tissue or a blockage that makes my pouch too narrow.  I took RNY surgery to save my life to grow old with my husband--and then he died.  So now in some ways I regret my decision---but at least I was still alive to take care of him.  Does anyone on here have the same food issues:  not being able to eat because they have ZERO appetite and nausea when they do eat?

I am happy I had the surgery and glad that I don't suffer anymore from apnea, diabetes, asthma, never needed the knee replacement they had suggested, no more high blood pressure or high cholesterol, no more threat of stroke or heart attack.  I just wish I could eat SOMETHING without fighting the nausea and pain that comes with it.  I take meds for the nausea.  I also use medical marijuana (doesn't really help me eat but does eliminate my arthritis pain), take Loritab and still need sleeping pills.  Again---the sleeping pills are related to stress and the Loritab to the severe degenerative arthritis in my spine.  

Any suggestions on what I can try to eat?

First let me say I'm sorry to hear of your loss;  it's never easy to deal with.

Secondly, I know that even being ten years out, when I'm upset I often cannot eat.The best thing I've found to do is to just let the tension go and keep up my liquids to avoid dehydration, then eat protein first until I've regained my appetite.  There's nothing wrong with just doing soups, et****il you've settled down somewhat.

Thanks for the advice.  Do you find that drinking water makes you nauseous as well?  I do better with Lipton Diet teas than water.  I still have to force myself to drink fluids and I know I am dehydrated most of the time.  Its good to hear from someone ten years out.  Sometimes I feel so alone in all of this.  I had my surgery in India so I have never had post-surgery care from anyone other than my regular primary care doctors.  Most of them know very little about gastric bypass issues.

Actually, not drinking enough can make you nauseous.  If you can't handle plain water, try putting flavors or simple squirts of lemon or lime juice.  

You also can get hydrated by drinking (or eating) something that is high in liquids;  boullion, soup, etc.

I really like the Snapple diet products, too.

You went through a lot. 

But it may look like now you deal with physical issues. It can be ulcers, gallbladder, hernia, or simply side effects from taking lortab. I take narco as needed (not very often) but i get nauseated every time, even with 1/2 of the smallest dosage. 

Dehydration would cause nausea, and lack of appetite.  Plus there could be more issues. I hope your doc would give you answers. Good luck. 

Thank you for replying.  I know I am dehydrated.  Its hard to force in liquids and sometimes when I try to drink green tea (diet) or push water then it makes it even harder to eat.  My doctors really don't know much about gastric bypass---I had surgery in India so I have never had post-surgical care specific to the bypass.  I am really trying to get food in---just some days I get so discouraged that I wish there really were a protein pill I could just pop in once a day and be done with it.  Please keep in touch!

Sorry for your loss - that must be so difficult.  

I have nausea every time I eat solid food.  I'm 6 years post RNY and had nausea before gastric bypass.  I often don't feel like eating, but know I need the nutrition.  I have a hot protein drink for breakfast, protein, raw veggies and fresh fruit for lunch and a plain greek yogurt/protein powder mixture (usually with canned pumpkin) every night for supper.  I eat the same things 6 days out of 7 and hardly ever eat out.

Eating is something I have to do - like brushing my teeth or taking a shower, etc.  I just do it because my body needs it.

During times when I just can't face solid food - I drink a liquid protein drink (ProJoe) or sometimes eat 1/2 of a protein bar.  On those days I am too nauseated for solid food, I find I can drink a cold or hot protein drink.

I average about 1100 calories a day and 90-100 grams of protein.

I try to not take prescription drugs for nausea - but occasionally have to.  I use homeopathic or essential oils for nausea and often decrease activity and wait it out.  Drinking herbal tea helps, too.  I am active and work 3 days a week - I'm 65 years old.

Hope you can find some relief - keep seeing your bariatric doctor and have annual labs done.  I'm always adjusting supplements for deficiencies - currently deficient in B12, Vitamin A and iron.  It's always something.

Penny

Penny

I have no bariatric doctor because I went to India for my surgery.  I could not afford it here in the states.  What kind of essential oils help nausea?  I have a neighbor who sells them but the one she sold me to help with my arthritis pain did nothing so I am a little bit skeptical.  I wonder how many of us past five years out have these issues?  It would be interesting to see statistics.  I know people who have gained weight back after bypass surgery which seems to be more of an issue than those of us who cannot eat at all.   I appreciate the support! 

I use Young Living oils.  The two oils that help my nausea the most are Peppermint and Digize.  I have a book that tells about essential oils and what oils/or combination of oils to use for different "ailments".  For arthritis (hands, neck, knees) I use PanAway and Deep Relief oils the most.

I do occasionally take a Compazine for the nausea if I have to be somewhere and be my best.  But on a daily basis I use essential oils and "wait it out".

My nausea would not keep me from gaining weight.  It would be easy to have "smooth" carbs that sit easy on my pouch, but I just won't let myself do that.  I will have a protein drink/shake if my pouch is "grouchy" and doesn't want solid food.

Best wishes,

Penny

Thanks for the response Penny.  Actually my neighbor sold me Panaway but I didn't have any improvement with my pain from using it.  I mixed it with organic coconut oil and used for massage on sore muscles but really did not see any difference.  I have also tried (still trying) MSM gel for pain and MSM flakes in a beverage to deal with pain.  Again--no noticeable improvement but maybe I have not used it long enough.  I find medical marijuana deals with nausea and pain but then I am unable to do much of anything.  Obviously I cannot drive, use my sewing machine, or use sharp objects when I am stoned.  LOL  But I do use it at bedtime because then I can at least get a decent night's sleep and not wake up in pain.   Good luck with your own issues---guess I never bargained on still having food issues AFTER I lost 150 pounds.