I call the "thick mucus"... Dog Foam and Jellyfish (DF&J) -- atleast that is what it seems to resemble. This is my personal thought on what causes me to experience DF&J -- I have eaten to much. Generally I think that the DF&J really is a backup of saliva that you swallow while waiting for the food you have eaten to pass through your pouch. Theoretically I think when that happens there just is not any further room in the pouch for the "spit" to sit. DF&J tends to happen to me when I am too hungry and eat too much or if the food I am eating I like too much and eat too much of. Either way... same problem. When I was pregnant with my son I was very sick and consider myself to be pretty quick to . The only thing that I have found that helps is to lay down after eating. If I can lay down for 30 minutes I am generally able to keep the food down. Now this takes planning as I work a full time job. I do not tend to eat "food" for breakfast as I am much more sensitive in the morning. I do drink milk in the morning. For lunch I eat my "safe" foods in controlled quantities so that I do not need to lay down. My safe foods are -- Campbell's Soup at Hand -- Chili -- Crackers and Cheese -- Cheese alone. If you find that you are getting too hungry before your next meal have a small snack to curb your appetite. Just make sure you have it far enough in advance so that it can pass through your pouch before your next meal. The only other theory I have heard on DF&J is that your pouch needs to be well lubricated by drink enough water. I assume you are getting in all of your liquids?? At about the 6 month mark my stomach was a lot less sensitive. I honestly think I everything I ate the first 3 months. It took me serious time to figure it all out... Now I know why babies spit up so much... they are getting used to their new stomachs as well. And if their stomachs hurt as much as mine when I eat no wonder they cry for what seems no apparent reason. I assume you are not drinking anything when you eat? How many meals a day are you eating? Are you too hungry when you eat? If you were to tell us about (what/quantity) a typical meal that causes the DF&J that would be helpful. The last time I tried Pasta or Rice I could not eat it. I think that it expands in the pouch and causes the DF&J. I am also unable to eat tomato sauce/ketchup... to acidic I think. What I know today is that eating is no longer pleasurable. It is a necessary evil. Food is fuel -- nothing more; nothing less. Certainly I recommend that you speak to your surgeon. Of course they are the experts and can offer further insight and options. Sorry this was so long... it's just that I have experienced this to a greater degree as well. Best Regards Sharon -117#

no problems with me...I'm only about 10 days post-op and still on soft foods. If your stomach is hurting but then you are not throwing up what you ate, I'd have to wonder about that...Now if you were throwing up what you ate I'd think you ate too much.. Lisa

I was 3 years post-op in July. I agree with Tammy. Don`t go back to old habits. And take full advantage of the first year. Work really hard at it because it will never be this easy again. Our bodies sort of adapt per se and you will be able to eat more later. Not near what you can pre-op, but I find I can eat somewhat more normal now. I used to have so much trouble with any kind of meat, I can do pretty good now if I chew well. Tammy, did you know Dr. Hall moved to Dallas. I got an invitation to a new support meeting call New Beginnings. I have`nt been going to the support meetings, but I may have to check this one out. Hope everyone is doing well.

Has anyone else had trouble with hurting every time you eat? When I eat, and it does not seem to matter what, my stomach will hurt and then I need to throw up. What usually comes up is a thick mucus. I'm not sure what this is.

Congrats!!! I had my surgery 6 days before you on 3/9. I'm down 96 lbs. But the last 3 weeks I've only lost a pound per week so I've cut back some calories and increased my protein. It's been an exciting journey so far, and I know the road ahead will be just as exciting. Good Luck Alysia