Question:
Would it hurt to eat soft food now@5days out?

I am 5 days out, andI cannot get all my liquids in, I am afraid that I am going to stretch my pouch. If I drink the 2 tsb every 15 minutes like my Dr. said to do, I feel kinda sick.. like I am stuffed or something....I was wondering also, could I have like a egg or mashed pot. or some FOOD right now.. maybe that would help.. I am having a good bit of head hunger, But I am controlling it....I really really want to do great with this! Thank you.. any help would be appreciated!    — rebecca J. (posted on February 8, 2003)

February 8, 2003
I would go by whatever your doctor told you to do. Some people get to go on soft foods earlier than others. I was on liquids for 6 weeks. I know it gets hard but YOU CAN DO IT!!! there are alot of people here for you. Just go by your doctor's orders and you will be fine.
   — Ju Ju P.

February 8, 2003
Hello, Rebecca. My advice, for what it's worth, would be to do EXACTLY what your doctor instructed. It is very important you do not do anything to damage your new stomach. It is so early in your recovery and your new stomach is still very swollen from the surgery. I SO understand the HORRIBLE head hunger. Trust me, and everyone else who proclaimed this, but it does lessen and get better. Eating solids (even soft solids)might very likely make you sick. And the chance of disrupting your still fragile and healing staples is possible. Not a risk I would want to take. Follow your docs instructions, is my advice. Good luck and hang in there. I am here to tell ya, it all gets better. (Open RNY 10/30/02 -95lbs)
   — Ginger M.

February 8, 2003
Hi! First of all congratulations on your surgery. Also, remember everyone will have their own opinion as to what is right and wrong so you have to do what you think is right. First of all in my opinion DO NO EAT ANYTHING!! You need to stick with the liquids and get them in the best you can. It is going to be hard at first and you won't ge able to get them all in at first because you pouch is tiny. I think it would be a BIG mistake to try and eat something. The doctors give you a diet for a reason because the pouch needs time to heal and you don't want to stretch it. The head hunger will go away. I had a terrible time with it for about the first 2 months. Let's face it, we were used to eating all the time and that takes a while to change that habit but it can be changed as all bad habits can be. Give it time. I have had great success and I followed everything exactly as my docter said from 1 month on liquids to the pureed to the soft to the regular diet. (all doctors have a different schedule but they are generally the same). Good luck to you! Hang in there, it will get easier! I promise! Cheryl (9 1/2 months post-op down 151 pounds)
   — cdiss

February 8, 2003
Have to echo what the others have said about head hunger. I was unable to eat and keep anything down for a long time after my surgery. I would see food commercials on TV and the cravings would hit. But, when I stopped to think about it, I really didn't want to eat any of the things I was seeing. Many doctors have different advice for their patients, but you need to follow what YOUR doctor advises. If you don't and things go sour on you, he will blame it on the fact that you weren't following his instructions, even if that truly is not the problem. It WILL get better.
   — garw

February 8, 2003
hi there :) congrats on your surgery! :) every sugeon has his?her own paln they like you to go by, id listen to what he?she told you. i was on liquids in the hospital and at home, then went to puried. i think by week 6 i was okd for cottage cheese, soft, eggs etc, just take it slow when trying anything new as it may be trial and error at first to see what youll be able to tolerate. i had very bad head hunger too and moslty missed the "chewwing" or the "crunch" of things so what i did was, and i dont want to sound gross, but i took a bite of something, chewwed it up then in the garbage it went. i only did this a couple times and it worked for me and helped me get through. it will get better for you as you are able to graduate to alteast soft foods and a sense of noramlcy is restored. best of luck to you! :)
   — carrie M.

February 8, 2003
Thank you allll for your answers and support, It really means alot!!!!!!!!!!! I will just keep on fighting it! Thank you.. I was just really concerned that I am NOT able to hold all my liquids... I didnt want to stretch my pouch trying, but I didnt want to do something else wrong by NOT getting them in..
   — rebecca J.

February 8, 2003
Hi, I've found out that early on like you, I had head hunger too and I found it happened when I was eating and drinking cold fluids all day long. I usually try to heat up some beef or chicken broth and drink it when this happens and for me it does seem to curb the head hunger.
   — Sissy I.