Question:
I am so sick to my stomache when i think about food

I am 5 weeks out and find it VERY hard to eat 5 times a day. Im lucky to get in 2 a day. Protein shakes make me dry heave and the thought of food makes me sick. Any ideas on something that will taste good but sit well. I used to love cottage cheese but now it makes me sick to my stomach. I think im lactose intolerant..is there anything to take for that?? thanks Amy Lap RNY 9-16-03 down 38 pds and 22 1/2 inches    — cinamoni (posted on October 21, 2003)

October 21, 2003
Hi, Amy! I'm about 5 weeks out too, and having similar problems. It's kind of a "head game" really. My doc only has me eating 3 times a day, so I can sympathize with your problems with 5. I did find a shake that is tolerable for me, so I've been supplementing with it (Pro Score 100 chocolate). I've tried many things, and although I don't get physically ill, nothing really appeals to me, either. Surprisingly, chili with ground beef has been a very good meal for me. Also, chicken soup with the tiny noodles and no chicken has worked well. At first, I was eating cottage and ricotta cheeses, but can't seem to be interested in them now. It's very difficult to find good protein choices that are palatable at this stage. I'm sorry I don't have any good answers for you, but please keep trying. We really need to get that protein in!
   — Carlita

October 21, 2003
I'm almost four weeks out and really struggling to get enough food and liquid too. I don't really want anything to eat and since I'm not hungry, it's just a lot of trouble to try to eat. But I know I'm supposed to be getting 60-80 grams of protein and 64 oz. of liquid so I keep struggling along. I like the Designer Whey Protein Blast drinks (40g protein) so I have at least one of those each day and I am able to eat chicken or tuna salad. Other than that, nothing else tastes very good so I'm having a lot of that. I make it myself so it is low in fat and high in protein. But I'm still only managing to eat about twice a day. Everybody says, just hang in there and keep trying, it will get better.
   —  SCbabe B.

October 21, 2003
Hi Amy- I am now 8 months post-op, but when I was around 5 weeks or so post-op I had the exact same problem. I was told just to eat whatever you can get down so that you are getting food intake. You might try apple or banana with peanut butter. That worked for me. I know that at one point the only thing I wanted was mac & cheese and another time I went through a salad phase. Just do as much as you can and it will get easier, I promise. I have lost 135 pounds in 8 months and now I feel like I eat all the time. Good luck!!
   — dl_roark

October 22, 2003
Which protein drinks are you trying? How do you make them up? What kinds of foods are you trying to eat? How much volume per little meal? And then, are you actually vomiting, or just feel queasy when youthink about smell? taste? texture? swallowing?
   — vitalady