Question:
I'm 10 days post-op and can't eat. I force any food I eat down. I'm hungary
but food doesn't sound appealing. I get nauseous when I don't eat but feel sick when I try to eat. What should I do? Does anybody else have this problem. — [Anonymous] (posted on October 9, 1999)
October 9, 1999
I can relate to what you have shared. Often times the food that I ate,
jello, cream of wheat, etc went down but also came back up. Even tiny
amounts. I am 2 months post op and still have trouble with food, and I eat
very tiny portions. I also talked to my doctor and nutritionist about this
and they suggested the protein powder. It is important to get your protein
in. I have found that I can handle that. I usually have one protein drink a
day now and that really is about all. Occasionally I will TRY to have some
fruit or very well cooked veggies; most times they come back up though.
Doctor said I just have a hypersensitive stomach right now. The best thing
you can do is to call your doctor. Be sure to get in your water too, just
sip, sip, sip, and I find that also fills me up. Good Luck.
— Becki M.
October 9, 1999
at 10 days post op..what are you TRYING to eat?..I was still on clear
liquids....maybe you should back off a little ...introducing foods too fast
can make you nauseous. Everyone is different..you need to listen to your
body..let it tell you when you're ready for the next step...getting sick or
nauseous is a signal (or was to me) that what I was trying wasn't gonna
work for me...Good Luck....and rememeber..this is hard..go easy on
yourself..<smile>
De
— Deanna D.
October 9, 1999
I am also 10 days post op. My Dr. believes in starting back on food
immediately. I can eat most anything other than fresh veggies and fruits.
I get hungry and "think" I want to eat then when I do, nothing
tastes good. I have been very careful to try and measure out the correct
amount I should be eating, then try to eat that much. Sometimes I just
can't. I don't seem to have a problem with vits., so I'm good about taking
them. The kinda sick feeling seems to be getting less with me, but still
nothing tastes good. I go back in a couple of weeks to the Dr. for a check
up. If i'm not eating right I'm sure he will know. You might want to check
with your Dr.
— Jan B.
October 9, 1999
Please see your doctor at once. Ask to "be scoped". If
something has closed off your outlet, you will dehydrate in short order.
The fix is easy and as painless as an IV for an hour or so. You can't mess
around with this. GET SEEN! Please?
— vitalady
October 9, 1999
What are you eating. At 10 days post-op I was still on liquids. You may be
trying to "eat" to soon. Take it easy and talk to your doctor.
— Rochelle S.
October 9, 1999
At 10 days post-op (I am now 8-1/2 months post-op)I had no appetite to
speak of and, like you, suffered from nausea when I didn't eat and felt ill
when I did. I conferred with a nutrtionist and followed her advice with
some success. Your nausea, like mine (which I still suffer from
occasionally), MAY be caused by not drinking enough. I was drinking as much
as they told me to (64+ oz./day), but I just needed more. To this day I
reach for a glass of water as soon as the nausea hits and that usually
fixes things up for me. Alternately, I have a Dole Fruit 'n Juice Bar (no
sugar added) as they give me a little nutrition in addition to the fluids.
I mainly suffer from nausea first thing in the morning after not having had
anything to eat or drink for many hours, and I find the frozen bars a nice
introduction to the day.
As for not having an appetite at 10-days post-op, I didn't force feed
myself and only ate when hungry, so that meant that there were days where
all I had was a cup of soup . . . but that ended and the appetite came on
quite nicely. I suffered no long term affects (at least none apparent at
this point) and am 15 pounds away from goal in less than nine months. Good
luck and drink up!
— Zoe S.
October 9, 1999
Hi- If you are only 10 days ost-op you probably on full liquids or
something the like. Eat what you can even if you go back to clear liquids.
YOU MUST EAT. If you can't handle the new food type - go back to clear
liquids. But you must put something in you stomach. If not your system
will shut down and it will be very difficult to eat when you choose to. I
had difficult at first also. I stay within my food category but couldn't
swallow what I was supposed to eat. When I got to soft foods tuna fish
would each and every time get caught in my throat. I sat there for 45
mins. waiting for it to go down. And trying to not get upset. But you
must put something in your stomach. I believe we don't really understand
how tramatic this operation is to our bodies. The healing process takes
many different forms. As you get on you will be able to eat easier and
whatever you want within reason. PLEASE BE PATIENT. If the food causes you
problems go back to the clear liquids. At least you will be getting the
nutrients you need and also allowing your new pouch to continually develop.
Sheila- RNY - March 26, 99- 94 pounds down
— Sheila W.
October 10, 1999
never never force your food intake....your body just went thru a very
traumatic operation...your stomach is sore and swollen and is telling you
it's not ready yet for certain foods....try
liquids...jello...pudding...cream of wheat...nothing too solid right
now..you don't want to stretch the new pouch...eat very slowy and sip
(never gulp) your liquids I did'nt reach soft foods diet until 2 weeks post
op and regular food until 4 weeks post op.....good luck
— Mona S.
October 10, 1999
What type of foods are you trying to eat, and what type of surgery did you
have? My suggestion is to get in touch with your surgeon pronto! Keep us
posted!
— Sherrie G.
October 11, 1999
i found that if i had a lot of food (you know what i mean) at 1 time, i was
sick feeling. i take just a teaspoon or so at a time and eat often. it
has gotten better since i have gotten further out. i still have a problem
if i put too much food on my plate, i find i dont eat.
good luck.
— julie S.
October 12, 1999
10 days post-op you should be on liquids. If you feel sick its because
your new stomach can't stand the the food your giving it. Stay on liquids
for the first 30 days and then start soft foods like soft scrambled eggs
made with cottage cheese. Also try yougert, plain with equal and any other
soft food. Eat slow and chew everything until it becomes a slurry.
— Anna D.
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