Question:
gas pain after eating protien

If I eat anything besides yogurt or applesauce, stuff like chicken or turkey. I chew very well and eat very slow and only eat less than an ounce. I get this pain and it feels like pressure from gas. I constantly feel the urge to burp and hardly produce anything and the food almost comes up when I try. This has been happening for a week and I am loosing the urge to eat. Sometimes I have to just go and vomit to ease the pain. 4 weeks out. I have even been trying to drink when I eat does not help. Help please.    — Kevin T. (posted on December 19, 2003)

December 19, 2003
If it happens only when you're eating solid protein, you're probably eating too fast, too much or taking too big of bites. Try teeny tiny bites, like you would feed to a baby with its first teeth, and wait a couple of minutes between bites. "Listen" to your body, and at the first sign of that "lump in your throat," stop and wait, even 10-20 minutes if you have to, and then decide it you're still really hungry or you just WANT to eat (head hunger). Chances are, you'll start to learn how to eat solids, and the signs to stop before it has to come back up. It's all trial & error, but you'll get it eventually.
   — Leslie F.

December 19, 2003
Hi Kevin. I agree with the other poster. It may be that you're taking bites too big or eating too fast. I read your profile and see that you were using a baby spoon - that's a good way to handle the size of the bites. Next thing is, if you're eating a little too fast, you could be taking in air with your food which would give you that uncomfortable "need to burp" feeling. For about 6 weeks after my surgery I constantly felt like I needed to burp and it hurt like the dickens if I tried to force myself to burp. Just take it slow and easy. Your new little pouch is a temperamental little dude and it will get used to it all in time. You'll figure it all out as well. Try taking it a little slower and exhale before you swallow - maybe that will help too. :) It DOES get better! Best wishes and Merry Christmas! Cheryl, Highlands, Tx. - Lap RNY 6/2/03 -125 lbs. :)
   — Cheryl M.

December 19, 2003
I experienced this with all white meat fowl and eggs for the first 3 months postop. I wasn't eating too fast, or too big of bites. I did fine on steak, pressure cooked ground beef, dark meat chicken and tuna...but white meat and eggs left me this way. Try different proteins and see if that helps! Have you tried moz cheese sticks? They saved my life - protein-wise :>) Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 20, 2003
Kevin T post back. I appriciate the answers. I must stress there is definitely no way I am eating too fast or too much and Until this started I was able to eat the right amount of protien mainly chicken with out any problem, I have eaten a whole bowl of hot and sour soup and about 4 small pieces of chicken and felt pleasingly full. Anyway tonight after going all day on one serving of applesauce I was starving and ate about a thimble full of chicken plain and chewed to pulp and ate it in very small chunks, about 10 minutes after starting to eat here comes the pain and it was intense, after I purged myself I felt fine. I feel so weak.
   — Kevin T.

December 20, 2003
Kevin, it's time to call your doc, but I'm pretty sure you've figured that out already!
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 20, 2003
Kevin, it may be a good idea to call your doc, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm over 4 years out, and still can't do chicken very well. I have no problems with beef or most other foods, but chicken or turkey? Nope. Have you tried Wendy's chili yet? That's the way I intoduced myself to beef, and it was soooo good. Just a thought.
   — Leslie F.

December 20, 2003
Call your surgeon....you might have a stricture. That happened to me at 4 weeks post op. When I would eat or drink I had pain in my chest and felt like I needed to burp. Everything I ate or drank I would have to vomit back up to get relief. I was scoped and dialated and have had no problems since.
   — Lois B.

December 21, 2003
I am going in tommorrow after talking to the doctor he wants to check me out, says possible stricture but more likely a swollen pouch. I failed to mention in earlier posts but I did try beef and turkey with the same results. Thanks again all!
   — Kevin T.

Click Here to Return