Question:
NORMAL OR ASK DOCTOR??? thick foods

I am 6 wks post..and still having problems with thicker foods (chicken, potatoes, fish ect)..they just dont want to go down..I am only able to eat 2 small bites then I start having the very full uncomfortable feeling, most of the time I need to go to the rest room, and part of it comes back up...Is this normal or should I ask my doctor...thank you soooo much for all your help...Shelly    — ShellyJ (posted on May 31, 2004)

May 31, 2004
How well are you chewing the meat? You need to chew it to the consistancy of baby food before you swallow. Are cooking the foods a little too dry also? Try chewing so the meat is at the consistancy of baby food and eat very very slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to get the signal that you are full, so therefore you need to eat real slowly. I was told that I need to take 30 minutes to eat a meal. I will admit that I have a hard time achieving that but I find that I feel that full feeling better if I do eat longer and chew chew chew so the food does not come back up on me. Good luck.
   — ChristineB

May 31, 2004
Chew, chew, chew. It takes longer for the swelling to go down and the healing to complete for some. However, do keep an eye on it, it could be symptoms of a stricture. It wouldn't hurt to let your surgeon know of your concerns, get his professional opinion on the situation. Best wishes.
   — RebeccaP

May 31, 2004
Hi Shelly. I was unable to eat meats and bread for a few months after WLS. I tried chewing the heck out of english muffins, but they got stuck. It would feel like I was having a heart attack and I would have to make myself through up wads of mucous (sorry for the graphics!). It's probably just that you are a little too early post op to tolerate those foods, but you will be able to at some point so hang in there! :)
   — emilyfink

June 1, 2004
Normal! NORMAL! did I say "Normal" I am 5+ months post-op & can't digest more than a few bites of dark meat, white meat I gave up on since it comes backs, soft salmon is okay sometimes, each day will be different, some foods that digest one day won't be friendly to your tummy the next day. Remember, protein first (add banana or fruit as this might be your main meal) sip sip water. A meal after WLS is equal to 1-4 spoons of food as a complete dinner for some of us. GOOD LUCK
   — Anna M.