Question:
I had surgery April 16th and I am having problems finding what food I tolerate.
I found that chicken does not go down, it just gets stuck. Fish goes down sometimes and well as Pastas, but I can only manage a couple of spoonsfull and I have to stop. And I have this funky taste in my mouth all the time that drives me crazy. Will all this pass? — regilima (posted on May 30, 2007)
May 30, 2007
Yes, it will pass!
However, I think you might advancing your diet a little too quickly.My
suggestion is to go back to a softer diet for awhile, and see if that helps
any. Instead of doing grilled chicken, try a chicken salad...same with tuna
and salmon, you might be able to get them down easier in a different form.
I am almost 11 months out and i still have problems with a
"funky" taste in my mouth, or things that I crave just don't
taste right! (That sucks, but it's good at the same time!!)
But for the most part, I don't have any problems. Good luck to you, I hope
this helps some.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 30, 2007
I agree with the other poster. You are definately advancing way too fast
and you shouldn't even think about pasta yet, let alone be eating it!
Pasta is a big no no, along with bread. You NEED the protein, not the
carbs! There are many other foods out there with protein that will help.
Good luck!
— crystalsno
May 30, 2007
Regina,
You are a little over 4 weeks out and your food shuld be pureed stage
instead of solids. I'd have to agree with the first poster -- go back to
softer foods and when mixing your chicken include mayo or mustard or even
pickle relish to keep it mositen. I don't know what nasty taste in your
mouth you are speaking of I didn't go through that -- but make sure you are
drinking your fluids, that may help get rid of the taste in your mouth.
— the7thdean
May 30, 2007
The funny taste will pass, however, I warn you that foods may or may not
taste the same to you. There are several things I liked and enjoyed before
surgery that I cannot stomach now - for instance V-8, pretzels and string
cheese. I agree with everyone else, sounds like you are progressing your
stages too quickly. At one month out, I was pureeing everthing and eating
broth and soup and pudding and yogart smoothies. When something doesn't
work for me - I hold off for a few more weeks and then try again. If your
pouch is irritated from something you've ate, go back to the liquid stage a
few days and give your pouch time to calm down. Good luck.
— jammerz
May 30, 2007
Like you, I have been advanced to solid foods and have a hard time with
them. The food has to be extremely moist. I have learned I can not do pork
at all, nor eggs. I seem to be living on cottage cheese, very cold string
cheese and occasionally some beef. Make sure your food is moist, you take
extremely small bites and chew to pure mush.
— Silkie
May 31, 2007
Hi Regina, thanks for writing. You are going through perfectly normal
stuff. You shouldn't be enjoying much more than you are, just be sure you
are very faithful with your vitamins and calcium to keep your body strong.
Eat protein as you can. I ate some soft beef jerkey a lot when I first had
surgery, along with milk and cottage cheese. These are all great protein
sources. You can also put chicken in the food processor with a little
onion and mayo and make chicken salad, or egg salad. Many people get a
change in their taste after surgery, it could be the staples or just
healing issues, but it does happen. Count it a blessing, it will help you
not eat too much! Take care, and celebrate your other successes! You are
doing great! Take care, Patricia P.
— Patricia P
May 31, 2007
Whoa! Slow down girl. Surgery on April 16 and you are now eating chicken
and pasta? I don't know what your dietary instructions are but I was only
eating pureed foods (i.e., baby food) at this phase. Put that chicken and
pasta in a good blender, or just buy some baby food (you might even LIKE
it!) at the market. Even if YOUR dietary instructions permit you to eat
such things at this time (I'd seek an independent 2nd opinion if this is
the case because it seems so out of the norm), there is no REQUIREMENT that
you do so.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 31, 2007
Hi- The funky taste I have it too-- I hear it's because we're burning fat
and it will go away. I had my surgery April 19 and I've tried many things.
Maybe we've had the same doc because I was on to reg foods within reason
in 2 weeks. Meats sometimes work and sometimes not-- very small pieces
most and chew,chew, chew. If it feels like it gets stuck or something in
your throat, wait 15 minutes and try again. I've made pasta for family- I
had a meatball and a few bites of pasta, lots of sauce on it, and slowly-
took me 1/2 hour. I've found that baking chicken/fish instead of grilling
makes it go down easier too. Try chicken tenders marinated - they are
really moist or meatloaf/mashed potatoes. Good Luck- dont rush it
— Jackie W.
May 31, 2007
Hi- The funky taste I have it too-- I hear it's because we're burning fat
and it will go away. I had my surgery April 19 and I've tried many things.
Maybe we've had the same doc because I was on to reg foods within reason
in 2 weeks. Meats sometimes work and sometimes not-- very small pieces
most and chew,chew, chew. If it feels like it gets stuck or something in
your throat, wait 15 minutes and try again. I've made pasta for family- I
had a meatball and a few bites of pasta, lots of sauce on it, and slowly-
took me 1/2 hour. I've found that baking chicken/fish instead of grilling
makes it go down easier too. Try chicken tenders marinated - they are
really moist or meatloaf/mashed potatoes. Good Luck- dont rush it
— Jackie W.
May 31, 2007
Anything dry is going to give you a problem, so try to cook the chicken so
it's as moist as possible. Marinades, sauces, even a little gravy can be
your friend. If you can only eat a couple of spoonfuls, so be it, there's
nothing wrong with that. Supplement with protein drinks to get your
protein in and you'll be fine.
As the others said, no need to rush things though. In the beginning I ate
a lot of chili because that was very easy to digest and if you make the
chili with turkey, it's more protein and less fat - you can also puree it
to make it finer without altering the consistency so that it's
unrecognizable and gross, unlike some other foods. Refried beans was
another early option of mine. You should avoid pasta entirely, there's
absolutely no reason to be eating that now, if ever. Even after 5 years,
pasta gives me problems but at 6 weeks out you really need protein and
definitely shouldn't be filling up on the useless calories of pasta. It
tends to expand in your stomach and make you really uncomfortable. By the
same token, avoid rice and potatos, more useless white calories with little
nutritional value.
— sandsonik
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