Question:
I'm Scared To Eat....What is my Problem???

Hi Everyone! I feel like I turn to you guys constantly, but you all are very informative and supportive. I had Open RNY Distal on 8/10 and could not hardly eat at all after...followed Dr. protocal also..Alot of vomiting..This last week (WED) DR had to go back in and stretch my opening at the bottom of my stomach, was narrow and VERY RED. He said that I should be able to eat normally...WELL...I am scared to death to eat....I only feel comfortable with my runny Oatmeal and potatoes...I am not getting ANY proteins in..I tried MANY of the protein drinks and I am swearing off of those things...YUCKIE POOOH!!!makes me so sick...I did try a 1/2 of a meatball last nite and it stayed in but that is ALL that I had...Is this a mental thing with me????Should I follow my gut instinct and eat only what my body says to eat...but how long can a person live on runny oatmeal....the thought of anything else makes me sick to my stomach...I had to gag down that 1/2 of meatball last night..it smelled and tasted good for the first 2 bites and then my stomach went sour...Please help me with suggestions...I have eaten hardly ANYTHING since 8/10....BUT I have lost 58#....the hard way I feel....Thanks you guys...You are SO SUPPORTIVE AND IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE SUCH ENCOURAGING ANSWERS.......    — Joi G. (posted on September 22, 2001)

September 22, 2001
Hey Joni, first of all congratulations on your weight loss. Secondly, I'm sure you're doc told you you would not have much of an appetite, and that it will come with time. I had my Open RNY on 08/14/01 and did 30 days of clear liquids and just started eating a little more than a week ago. The key is to just do a little at a time. Take a bite, see how you feel after a couple of minutes, if you feel okay, then try some more. My doc has me on soft foods now, fish, toasted breads, potatoes, yogurt, eggs, etc. These all seem to do very well for me. I am eating only when I am hungry and taking it very slow. Best of luck to you, I hope your fear subsides soon. Also, really try to get some protein, its sooooo important.
   — SUNDAY G.

September 22, 2001
Joi: You do need lots of protein now. Here's what I did at first -- eat creamed soups. Add skim milk to a can of cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, cream of potato, cream of asparagus, whatever type you like. The more skim milk you can get in at this stage, the better you will feel. Do you like yogurt? Cottage cheese? sugar free chocolate pudding? All these are ways to get in the protein your body needs right now. You cannot do well for long on just runny oatmeal. This may sound scary, but homemade chili is what I ate at just 2 weeks postop rny - I used very low fat ground beef, some tomato sauce and some canned beans (very blah, but soooo yummy). Everything went fine. Slowly get yourself into real foods by eating soups then chili then maybe stew. These are much more healthy for you. I didn't do protein drinks either, so I hear you on that! Add some grated cheese to your mashed potatoes for a little protein boost. Get some sugar free fudgsicles and put a spoon of creamy peanut butter on it (just the kind with only peanuts and salt) - read the label. I don't blame you for the meatball trouble, that may have been too soon - build up. Best wishes!
   — Cindy H.

September 22, 2001
hi Joi..I had my surgery on 7/23/01 (down 60 pounds) and I to had to get my stomach streched actually it was the opening to the intestin at one month post-op but b4 that the only thing I could it and wanted was egg drop soup the chicken broth plus eggs and vegs..gave me all that I needed..and I even had egg foo yung..it was great.. now I have tried a little of everything but I always stick to protein..and water first..I've heard alot of people say that meat was the hardest thing in the first few months but if its cooked right and you chewed chewed chewed..(which was the hardest thing 4 me to get use to) then you will be fine..I to was very scared after my streching..I think it's very normal..like I said egg drop soup was my friend 4 a few weeks and I tried it from every chinese place I could because I like it thick lol..well good luck!!!adrena..:-))
   — Adrena A.

September 23, 2001
You did not say how distal you are, but you know you MUST supplement your protein properly. Food proteins are of less than 10% value to a distal. You can eat meat & chicken all day every day and never be able to "net" enough protein to hold onto your muscles & organs. Beans & cheese (together) form one of the lowest proteins in bioavailability, so them, rice, nuts..... also so low and only in certain combos? For a proximal, I wouldn't even count them. They are so difficult to digest for someone INTACT, they are all but useless without access to the acids & enzymes. There are literally hundreds of predigested protein supps on teh market. How many have you tried? How'd you make them up? You can't get anything but sugar from milk, so you don't need to use that. You can use water. If the product says it delivers 55g of protein in TWO scoops, only use ONE scoop, since there is no way to absorb more than 30g (per serving), no matter how much you take. It might have been in how you were trying to take the supp vs the supps you were taking.
   — vitalady

September 24, 2001
Joi---It seems that everyone here has given you advice on what to eat, and I understand where they are coming from, but I want you to know that I am at the SAME place as you are right now. All these suggestions about what to eat, although well intentioned, are what I already know, as I'm sure you do. Knowing what to eat is not the same as being able to eat it. Joi, I seriously think a lot of this is mental. I'm about 3 1/2 months out from a distal RNY and had my anastomosis stretched about 2 weeks ago. I too am afraid to try new things. I'm so used to those few weeks of constantly throwing up and feeling horrible, that I don't want to push it. I know I have to though. Just go slowly. Even if you can only try one bite of something at a time. Yes, getting in all your protein and vitamins is important. And you will get there. But a few weeks will not permanently harm you. Work yourself into the new foods. You have to mentally get over this hurdle. Me too! For instance, I knew I had to try meat again soon. This weekend I decided to try prime rib. The small order was SO big, just looking at it made me feel nauseous. I took one bite, chewed for like five minutes (hehe), then I was done. Yeah, I may not have gotten all my nutrition in, but maybe I won't be so hesitant next time. Best of luck.
   — Tracy L.