Question:
Post op eating difficulty after 4 weeks bypass surgery?

After eating normally for 4 weeks, I started getting sick after eating just 2 spoonsful of soup, tuna, chicken, eggs, etc. I get sharp pains in the lower left side of stomach and within 30 minutes or so I will throw-up from 1-4 hours before I feel better. I had CT stomach, ultrasound gallbladder, Nuclear Medicine gallbladder, UGI, and endoscopy and all are normal. Does anyone have any suggestions?    — sh7028 (posted on January 30, 2009)

January 30, 2009
Greetings, I believe your system is telling you to steer clear of soup, tuna, chicken, and eggs. I'd suggest you try one thing at a time for several days or even a week. If your body likes the food, it will be silent. Silence is golden, eh? Then, slowly introduce one of the other items. I am 4 years post RNY and still have great challenges with eggs. The first year, I purchased a dozen eggs, which solidified into rocks because I could never bring myself to eat them. Now, I still have a dozen unused eggs in my refrigerator. I guess I buy a new box every year, figuring I will have an egg sooner or later. I can add egg, like in Egg Flower Soup, but that is not a good source of protein. So, that's another reason I don't eat eggs. But, I apologize because I have yet to read your profile, so am speaking "off the cuff." I'll exit now and read your profile. Blessings, Christine Gibson, MS, MA, OHC, OHL
   — Christine Gibson

January 30, 2009
Greetings again! Oh, you just signed up today and there is nothing at your profile. You need a friend! I'd love to be a friend to you! Now, I guess "eating normally for 4 weeks" -- what does that mean to you? You can respond off OH, if you like. My e-mail is [email protected]. That way I can answer you more quickly. Blessings, Christine Gibson, MS, MA, OHC, OHL
   — Christine Gibson

January 30, 2009
i am 4 weeks post-op rny and i cant eat eggs or tuna. it doesnt matter how much i puree them, it always comes right back up. something i have found to help me with my protein is fat free cottage cheese. 1/2 a cup is 14 grms of protein. but hopefully, we will be able to eat eggs and tuna again, i love them so much.
   — jackie L.

January 30, 2009
I am 6 wks po I cant eat anything but soups everything else is to rich,stay away from those foods throwing up is not a good thing go back to liquids thats what I did and if u can find Jay Cobb protien it is great tasting 25 pro.per 8 oz my DR. said he u can't eat now stop and just try to get ur pro. in thats most impotant
   — TONIANN B.

January 30, 2009
I'm having the same problem. I can't seem to eat anything. I had my surgery on the 5th of January. I can't even drink the protine shakes anymore. How do you get enough protine?
   — sfuller

January 30, 2009
Sounds like your system is telling you to slow down and eat one food at a time. Too many things of different varieties. Perhaps go back to your pre-op diet for a few days and see if that helps. If not I would revisit the docs to find out if they can do more test like some blood work and so other diagnotic GI tests. Good Luck and God Bless, vinnigirl, retired RN
   — vinnigirl

January 30, 2009
We all seem to have certain foods we can or cannot tolerate. Peanut butter, some pork, fried eggs, and some milk products are tough for me, but tomatoes (with skins), peppers (even Habaneros), etc, I have no problems with. Go figure. Tomatoes seem to make things like meat go down easier for me. Eggs I have trouble eating except in something or poached. You might try poaching eggs in broth or water. The liquid seems to make the eggs easier to tolerate. The oil in fried or scrambled eggs seems to be the main culprit. Tuna gave me heartburn BEFORE the surgery, so I eat it in moderation. I love fish creole or in some cases grilled. Try a can of tuna in cream of mushroom, chicken or potato soup for a nice chowder that might be easier on you. Cheese seems to ease the harder foods for me, also. Maybe some of these things will help. I had my RNY on July 2nd 2008. The day of the surgery till now I'm down 110 lbs, and 150 from my heaviest. Cheers! Dusty @};-
   — Dusty Ray Vaughn

January 31, 2009
Hi, Sharon. My name is Barb Thompson and I had my by-pass July 2007. I'm down a whole person--from 300# to 150# and doing much better. I, too, had difficulty following my surgery. Felt great the first couple of weeks, then started throwing up. Now my experience may not be your experience, so don't worry about what I'm about to share--just prepping you. I threw up for almost a year. Progress was very slow and I discovered that a lot of my issues were related to a very deep depression. I have been in weekly therapy since June 08 and see a psychologist on a weekly basis as well. Again, my experience may not be your experience--just consider it information. I read through a number of the responses you received and they provide a lot of great help for you. My surgeon recommended I add foods one-at-time to see if I react in any way to them. Eggs were especially big trouble for me, so I stopped eating them for almost a year. When I tried them again, I added stuff, like spinach another vegetable. Now I have very little issues with eggs. Just keep experimenting and be patient. Time is on your side. The farther out you go from surgery the better you feel. Eat right and exercise. Exercise is a big key. I walk the long halls of my apartment about 5 - 6 times a day (I live in Minnesota where it's fairly cold out right now). It only takes about 5 minutes, but that's all you need to start with. Move your arms up and across to the opposite shoulder while you're walking and build up to a brisk walk so you get your heart rate up. You would be amazed at how good you can feel after these walks--they also are great for combating depression, which is common following the surgery. If you have access to any support groups, get involved. They're out there. On-line support is good, but the best ones are live where you can meet others. Feel free to contact me anytime. I'll keep you in my prayers. Barb
   — blbthompson

February 1, 2009
Ask for a gastric emptying scan. Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach doesn't empty from the stomach as it should. It can cause symptoms similar to what you are describing. Best wishes.
   — mrsidknee

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