Question:
TUNA gave me dumping! Why?

I had one bite of tuna for supper and it "got stuck" in my esophagus and I ended up with chills, getting pale, and diarrhea for 20 minutes. YES, I chewed it thoroughly and I am 6 days post-op. Hormel canned chicken didn't "go down well" either. Any ideas?    — KristyKatt (posted on May 8, 2002)

May 8, 2002
Kristy has the same diet plan that I have and yes we are approved to eat tuna.. We go to the pureed diet after 4 days post-op.
   — Allie A.

May 8, 2002
I think 6 days post-op is a little too soon for tuna or even canned chicken. I was on liquids still and then pureed food for 4 weeks. The dietitian told me no tuna during the pureed phase because it's too tough. I would check with your doctor and/or dietitian on what you should and should not be eating. Your esophagus and pouch are still pretty swollen from the surgery. You need to allow it time to heal. I know its frustrating. It was the longest 4 wks of my life being on the pureed phase but it's over now and I feel better. I am 5 wks post op and have just started on regular foods. Good luck and remember, give your new pouch time to heal.
   — Peggy D.

May 8, 2002
Canned meats should be fine. I was clear to eat them when I got home at 2 days. I had to eat soft solids before I left the hospital. Everyone with my surgeon has done fine with this plan. If you doctor says its OK, then its OK. However, if you are uncomfortable with it, avoid it until you think that you are ready to try it again. Remember though to take teeny tiny bites at this point. And people dump on all sorts of things, especially in the beginning when your pipes are newly transformed. I dumped on several things early on that now I can tolerate. Oh, and also, keep your portion size to very little. At a week out, I was eating some canned chicken mixed with some mayo on ONE cracker, that was my meal. If you overdo it, it will feel like it gets stuck because it goes down so slow. Try to take it easy. If you continue to have a hard time with things getting stuck, you need to speak with your physician, you may be developing a stricture. If you start having difficulty with just liquids, that is definitely a cause for concern. Welcome to the other side!!
   — Cheri M.

May 8, 2002
I just want to add that what you experienced was not dumping. Dumping is caused by eating sugar. Remember that everyone is different in what foods they can tolerate and when. I think I'd wait to try tuna again for a while.
   — garw

May 8, 2002
Why is your dr saying you can eat tuna or canned chicken 6 days post-op? Most say liquids for first 2 weeks, pureed for 2 weeks and soft food for 2 weeks. My dr did say tuna could be eaten during pureed phase but I puked it up and stuck with just regular pureed foods. At about 6 weeks I tried tuna again and did just fine. I would be a little bit more conservative with diet than your surgeon says, especially if you are not tolerating things yet.
   — Dell H.

May 8, 2002
Every person is different just like every surgeon is different. If your surgeon ok'd you eating tuna, fine. As soon as I left the hospital, I was on pureed foods, but perhaps your body isn't ready for it yet. Try it again after a couple of weeks.
   — Lisa N M.

May 8, 2002
You ate it dry I assume? I tried some early on and it was lightly mixed with mayo and made me really sick too. Now at almost 11 months, I really like and appreciate those little cans of tuna dry. Great source of protein!
   — Molly S.

May 9, 2002
I am one year out and I still can't eat tuna. It may not technically be "dumping," but it makes me horribly sick. So does chicken breast and broccoli. However, I can eat much more beef than I should be, and I can eat many other things that I probably shouldn't. The last two times I ate tuna were horrendous, and I have no intention of ever eating it again, even though I used to love it! I just wish sugary things caused me as much trouble! I guess it just comes down to the fact that everyone is different, even after WLS. Good luck and God bless.
   — Roxanna