Question:
I'm sure it's dumping but....

Okay, I'm post-op 10/31/03 - 43# gone! Yeah! however, I've noticed that every few days i dump. I've targeted some of the things that lead me down to hurlville. Eggs (most evil of all), tuna, pork (found that out last night - it took me all of two bites), some cheeses, half-n-half. Now here's the part that confuses me. I can eat something one day and then if I try it again a few days later - Whoop- there it is. I most often keep everything down, I just get the dry heaves and feel like mega kerap for two hours afterwards. I had several challenges with my surgery, I had to have 2 because of internal bleeding, pnemonia, incisional infection and 3 blood transfusions. I called the Dr's office informed them of what was going on. Their advice to me was to go back to liquid (purchase some protein shakes) and see how that works for me. I'm not second guessing the Doc's advice, but does this seem like what others have been told? My symptoms I experience are nausea, sweats, burps (that almost feel like they're going to spill from my lips). I know I've heard that people think this is the best - ummm....NO - I don't personally think so. Perhaps I'll change my mind in the future. I just really want to try new things because I'm sick of bean soup, turkey and string cheese. In fact, I'm starting to hate them. Any advice or insight is much appreciated!    — Frvsnt O. (posted on December 11, 2003)

December 11, 2003
I'm pre-op ... but wonder since one day you have problems and the next you don't with the same foods ... is there any chance you are eating too fast or not chewing the food thoroughly????? From my post-op info from my doctor, both things can cause nausea, vomiting etc. If this occurs, they recommend going back to liquids for 24 hours to allow the pouch to settle back down as it has been irritated. Hope you feel better soon.
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 11, 2003
I am 7 months post op this week, and down 116 pounds. It is quite normal to be able to eat something one day, and hug the porcillin god the next day when you try to eat the same thing. Our pouches are "finicky" as I've heard others put it, but it's ok, thats the way I want it. Doesn't make sense but who cares, just a bump in the path of thin-ness. God bless you!
   — Happy I.

December 11, 2003
Dont be discouraged. You are still a new post op and there is no way that you should be comfortable yet with your new pouch. You are in a very rough zone right now and there werent too many of us that had this down pat at 5 weeks post op... so dont think that you are the only one. I couldnt even look at eggs for months after my surgery... just the texture of them in my mouth made me sick. Pork is a horrible thing to eat as such a new post op... the meat is much too dense. I have trouble with pork as a 29 month post op... so leave the pork for a while. Let me help... back off and start over with soft moist foods... like cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, maybe blended with a little sugar free Smuckers preserves... how about shrimp salad, or very finely chopped rotisserie chicken blended with mayo and a splash of bottled salad dressing to make it moist(add a little chicken broth or water to make it a softer textured salad)... sugar free yogurt(Blue Bunny from WalMart)... sugar free jello pudding made with skim milk and ProPlete Gold whisked into it for extra protein fortification. Think SOFT... think MOIST... it is all about texture at your stage. You are still a very new post op... you shouldnt be happy you had this surgery at this point as 5 weeks post op still sucks...lol. 43 pounds is terrific but I understand that you would rather feel better and be able to eat at this point. I was mad at the world at 5-8 weeks post op... was very upset that I had this surgery. Today, I look at things entirely differently and laugh when I think about how miserable I was and how miserable I made my family in the early post op stages. Find a good protein shake and live on it for a while until you are able to eat softer and more normal foods... which comes at about 8-10 weeks post op. ProPlete Gold is delicious... so is Elite... I have both of them on my website along with lots of recipe and good information. ciao, susan maria www.bariatriceating.com
   — SusanMaria

December 11, 2003
Are you sure that you are dumping and not eating too fast? My DH experienced almost the same as you with especially eggs and ground beef. First he was eating too fast and he was sitting in his recliner when eating. Sit in a good straight dining chair and let your food digest slowly. I would follow your doc office advise and really concentrate on how fast you eat and go back to liquids for as long as they say. I have had WLS also and I really concentrate on how fast I eat or drink and I have not thrown up yet.
   — ChristineB

December 12, 2003
I don't think that's dumping at all. It always surprises me how many people use the phrase and don't really know what it means. Dumping doesn't mean running to the bathroom as a lot of people assume, or throwing up. A lot of people vomit post-op during the transition to regular food, and they've never dumped. Dumping is a reaction to a lot of sugar hitting your stomach at once and drawing liquid into your stomach. They symptoms are like a mini-flu: chills or sweating, light headedness, fatigue, general discomfort. Some people do get diarrhea later I think, but hurling is something separate from dumping. That usually occurs when you've eaten just a little too much or too fast or didn't chew enough. Not all patients dump - some say it's 70% - but almost all RNY patients get sick and vomit after eating at some point. But don't be too hard on yourself, because I really think early on that sometimes we throw up even when we've done everything right. Our newborn stomachs are still tender, swollen and finicky and what might go down fine one time will make you sick another time. It seems to take longer for some people's bodies to adapt than others. All you can do in the meantime is remain extra conscious of chewing everything to minute particles, eating slowly and stopping when "at the first sigh", when you first begin to feel satisfied and full, instead of pushing your luck with one more bite. You'll get the hang of it and it will get better!
   — sandsonik

December 18, 2003
I'm surprised you're eating cheese and bean related foods. My program suggests staying away from "gas" type items. My surgery was 2 days before yours and I'll share some items that have been most helpful for me. Consider the sugar-free pudding with Lactaid milk - it's been a lifesafer for me; try NitroTech protein powder(GNC), mixed with Lactaid milk (fat free)= good source of protein (drink slowly). It's common that one day a food is okay and the next it bothers you. My clinic suggests tring things that bother you again later, listening closely to your body's reactions. Also, my program is still "soft texture" diet. So I still rely on soups (out to eat you can have tortilla soup [mexican rest]; or others, but I recommend staying away from the potato based soups as they can cause gas and lower stomach pain. I hope my suggestions help. Best of luck!
   — T. L. M.