Question:
Is it normal at 5 weeks out to not be able to eat anything?

If I vary from the yogart, sugar free puddings, soup or protein drinks, I hurt in my chest and at times vomit. I am very depressed and feel like nothing is ever going to be right.    — emflack (posted on October 28, 2008)

October 28, 2008
I am 1 year and half out. I did the same thing for almost 6 months. I was so depression and wondering why I did this to myself. You can be hurting from pulling a muscle, maybe taking it down to fast or to much. I know you going say I wish they did not say that. but in time it will get better. Just to make sure call your doctor and tell them what happening and ask them what they want you to do. Then you feel better and knowing what your doctor wants. it never hurts to ask question at all. It will get better. I am losing more weight now then I ever had. I been a very slow loser but it still coming off. My prayers are with you. Just keep up good work and it will all be worth it. carman
   — carman

October 28, 2008
I also had that problem in the beginning. If you eat solid foods either chew them extremely well or you might try to puree things. There were times that It felt like an iron poker in my chest. I am almost 8 months out and still have a hard time with meats other than tuna or soft fish. Checking with your doctor is a good idea. Don't be discouraged, it will eventually change and you will feel more "normal" with the foods you eat.
   — AuntPamcakes4six

October 28, 2008
You might be eating too fast. Try slowing down and if it doesn't get better do call your surgeon. Good luck !!!
   — maria09elena

October 28, 2008
I was having the same problem, but I found if I measure the food on my scale and make sure to eat slow that it stops. Just looking at the food and thinks that 1 oz or 2 is not enought you are not being sure that's all it is. Measure. and eat slow and chew chew chew if the pain still starts which it still does but not as bad, get up and walk it will stop twice as fast. This is a game I enten to win, and I'm doing better all the time. GOD BLESS and good luck
   — LBowker

October 28, 2008
i am 10 wks post op and i have the same problem. it turns out i just have good restriction and need to eat slower and chew better. it is a very hard habit to break and i still have problems - especially at dinner. i thought i'd have to live on soup, but if i take mega small bites and really take the 30 mins to eat 1/2 half a cup of food- it goes down easier. good luck to you... seems like everything with this band is trial and error.
   — munchiesmama

October 29, 2008
Some people have a harder time in the beginning...I know I had a tiny stoma and barely ate anything for the first 2-3 months...and it was depressing and I mourned food and it always felt like my food hit my pouch like a rock! Drinking water was worse! I drank far too fast and it took me forever to learn to sip....I thought I'd never be able to enjoy eating again....I was wrong! After 3 months I was able to eat more and more solid, denser foods. You must progress to these stages at your own pace, I truly believe. As long as you are getting proteins, liquids and your vits and supps...you should get there on your own...The first few months you are healing...and for some of us it takes a lot longer than others. It was not until I was 6 months and further out that I began to enjoy eating more and more and mastered my eating skills for the most part with a whole lot less pain...Now at near 5 years...I feel like a normal, small person...I ate out at a steak house a few days ago...I ordered a 7 ounce steak, and grilled mixed veggies and a sweet potatoe...and a salad with vinegartte dressing (no croutons)... I ate 1/3 of my steak...a few bits of my veggies, and sweet potatoe (naked w/no butter or brown sugar) and half my salad...Got my water w/lemon in a to-go cup. Ate another 1/3rd or so of the meal for lunch the next day and shared the rest with the dog! And it felt and tasted really good! No pain...No gas...no eating too fast or not chewing enough...After a while you master it all until it has become your new lifestyle! Before surgery...I would have ordered a 16 ounce steak...ate all the bread that comes with the meal and asked for more...I would have gotten mashed or loaded potatoe ...salad with fattening ranch...dessert and an appetizer too! And I would have finished it and whatever anyone else might have left! I would have rolled outta that restaurant as happy and stuffed as a "fill in the blank"....It gets MUCH better without having to pig out OR feel deprived!
   — .Anita R.

October 29, 2008
Esther, I feel your pain -- LITERALLY. I'm 8+ years out from a vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG -- don't think they even DO that surgery anymore) and I can STILL get sick if I eat the wrong thing or I eat too quickly. Not all a bad thing, I suppose, because at least I know I haven't stretched my pouch out of all proportion even after all this time. I even find that eating with a lot of other people (like at Thanksgiving and Christmas with the whole fam-damily) can set me off; I must swallow a lot of air or something. Anyway, the first part of the post-op experience is often the worst part, getting used to a new way of eating and living. You don't indicate what kind of surgery you had, but I find that some people try to "rush" their way back to normal food. I stayed on the liquidy diet for what seemed like forever in the early days, because eating anything that required even a little bit of chewing made me feel like eight miles of bad road. To this day I'd rather drink my meals than eat them, simply because I can be fairly sure I'm not going to be sick after. And depression in the early days is quite common -- that feeling of "oh, dear God, what in the heck did I just DO?" This will pass with time. Remember, you've had a major trauma to your body and you need time to heal -- physically AND emotionally. Sometime in the not too distant future (I promise) you will wake up one morning and realize you DON'T feel like something the cat dragged in -- and it's pretty much more good than bad from then on. Hang in there, you've only had 5 weeks to get used to the "new you" -- and believe me, what's happening now is worth it in the long run. Prayers and blessings --
   — Cheryl Denomy

October 29, 2008
I agree with all of the other posts, would like to add you may have a stricture... call the surgeon and see what you should do. Could be you will just have to advance very slowly, could be you need an endoscopy to take a look at your pouch and stoma just to be on the safe side. Either way, hang in there and keep leaning on us. Dawn V.
   — DawnVic