Question:
Help! I'm not tolerating my diet! Is this normal?

I was upgraded by my surgeon to an all protein diet. I have meat three meals per day at 60ccs per meal. I cannot tolerate this. I get so cramped when I eat, and afterwards I am doubled over in excruitating pain. I chew, chew, chew, and take an hour to eat but still the pain. I don't even want to eat. Has anybody else experienced this and what did you do?    — purdue_1993 (posted on December 6, 2001)

December 6, 2001
I am 3 1/2 months post op and still cannot tolerate meats of any kind. I also can't tolerate eggs, pasta, bread and rice. The only way I found I could get in my protein (since I am not able to get it from the meat and eggs) is to take a protein supplement. I use Isopure Zero Carb protein powder and mix it with 12 oz of soy milk. By doing this I know I am getting in at least 30 - 40 grams of protein a day and if I feel I need more I eat some cottage cheese, regular cheese or yogurt. Maybe try cutting the amount of meat you eat at a sitting back to 30 cc's. If this doesn't help, try drinking a protein shake instead and get your protein in that way. It just sounds like your new little pouch isn't ready for meat yet and if it doesn't feel ready then it will rebel and make some noise to let you know. Take care and hope you find an answer.
   — Kellie Jo B.

December 6, 2001
Meat is so hard to process for us. I just didn't even bother. Of course, we were required to be on protein supps, but then as time went on, I find I prefer to get my protein via supps, If I can manage some meat, great, if not, oh well. You can easily get a couple of 30g drinks in a day and not press your pouch or feel icky. I personally use water for mine, as I do not add extra calories or sugars to mine, but I am at goal and am not giving back a single pound if I can help it. Also, I prefer to get my 30g serving in smaller increments, like 4 oz of water, but again, since I take 5-6 of these per day, that's just my preference. Any more than 30g at a time is most likely a waste of $$, as we know normies can only absorb 30g in one serving, so we know we cannot. Even after 7 years, some days I can do meat, some days I can't. For a potential of 50% absorption, it just isn't worth it to me to try.
   — vitalady

December 6, 2001
I am one month postop and haven't tried meats yet. I am eating eggs, fish, split pea soup, black bean soup, vegetarian beans, lentil soup, cheeses, some saltine crackers. Try that for a while. I personally am not going to try meats til about 3 or 4 months. But that's just me. I've read too many stories.
   — Dianne K.

December 6, 2001
What types of meats are you eating? It's very common for post-ops to have problems with beef (even years down the road). If you haven't already, try eating boneless, skinless chicken and turkey breast. You might also want to try deli shaved lunch meats (98% fat free ham and turkey). They're always extremely moist, and if they're shaved, you don't have to worry about any large pieces potentially getting stuck. Pork is a good one, too, as long as you don't over cook it and dry it out.
   — [Anonymous]

December 7, 2001
I couldn't eat meat for about six months. I got my protein from cottage cheese, cheese, sugar-free yoghurt, tuna & mayo on crackers, more cheese, etc.
   — [Anonymous]

December 7, 2001
You are still so newly post op . . . I was still on soft solids at that point! Be kind to your body. It is still healing. Thinly sliced deli meat and eggs may be tolerable. How about cheese? Ounce for ounce it compares to meat for protein. Most people can tolerate cottage cheese, too, and it has good protein. Pain is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong. Listen to it! It sounds to me like your new tummy is not ready for the foods you are eating.
   — ctyst