Question:
Why cant I get in the right foods?

Okay- it's not for lack of trying. I am 9 weeks post-op and I have not been able to get in the required foods. I try constantly to eat meats for my protein and 98% of the time it either comes back up on it's own or it just sits there for so long that I end up making myself throw it up because it is so uncomfortable. It doesn't matter what it is- hamburger meat, chicken, ham, pork chop, eggs, etc. I make sure it isn't greasy (usually baked), so it's not that and no, it's not getting stuck. It just sits there FOR EVER. I know I'm not eating too much- only three or four small bites. And I wait an hour before and an hour (or longer) afterwards before drinking my water. Now the really odd part- I can eat sweets and chips with no problem. I don't want them either but I need something in my stomach and they never bother me. I have never had a sweet tooth and I seem to eat it more now than I ever did (it's not as often as it sounds though). I hate eating now. I dread the way I feel after I try to get in the protein. I have lost over 70 pounds which is fantastic, but I know I will make myself sick if I don't get the protein in. I am planning to find a good liquid protein supplement, but I still need to be able to eat like I am supposed to. I see my surgeon on Monday so I will talk with him about it then, but in the meanwhile, what do you posties suggest? Please don't scold me. I truly do not want the bad foods. I would much rather have chicken over a cookie anyday...Thanks everyone!    — karmiausnic (posted on November 23, 2002)

November 22, 2002
congradulation on you weight loss, you are doing greaaat. My doctor didn't allow me to eat pork chops until 6 mos out and now that I'm 14 mos out I still can't tolerate it. Beef I still can't swallow but I chew all the juices out and spit out the rest. Poultry was 4mos out but only chicken legs because it was easy to digest. Maybe you are eating these meats to soon. You can try what I do, chew and suck all the juices for now and spit the rest out, or you can stick to eggs cheese, tuna , fresh fish, shrimp, crabs and so on. Hope this helps. Good luck and btw stop eating those chips it will slow down you weight loss big time..
   — Rebe W.

November 22, 2002
I know what you mean about some not-great foods settling easier onthe new tummy than othersand I am 17 months post-op. Early on and even now chicken and I don't mix too well as it is too dense for me I guess. Ground beef and even steak have always worked better, yet it of course depends upon how it is cooked. Stewed meat is best, but I can eat grilled steak, but just not much of it. I do supplement with protein drinks daily as I really enjoy them and they make me feel like I am doing something good for myself (and I am!). I see the protein drinks as if taking vitamins really. I just really think that early on you do find it hard to get all the protein in via meat and others may disagree. I snack on things which do have some protein in them and other good nutrients, like beef jerky, nuts, cheese or trail mix. I am not perfect and none of us are. You just have to listen to your body and give it what it needs and hopefully no one will lecture you too badly on this question. When I do eat chips, it is so much fewer than what I used to be able to eat. Watch your portion control when eating these things...buy individaul packets, measure out a portion into a bowl or ziplock bag ( I do this with trail mix and crackers), etc. It will get better as you go along andyou will feel more and more normal. Good Luck and feel free to email me personally if you'd like.
   — Molly S.

November 22, 2002
You might try pureeing certain meats, depending on how they're cooked. My surgeon keeps us on clear liquid 1 week, full liquid the following week and then pureed/soft for 6 whole weeks. I think it made it easier for me to tolerate certain things. One favorite was Italian Beef cooked in the crockpot all day, then pureed...yum! You really, really, really have to work on chewing as well as you can. The only (3) times I have thrown up were after not chewing properly...and each time it's always chicken. Some days I still have to remind myself -- chew, chew, chew. I'm not scolding here either, but beware of the sweets, they really do lead to craving more carbs. I know this by discovering Murray's sugar free cookies :( Can't keep those suckers in the house...only for holidays now for me! Best of Luck to you. - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -89lbs.
   — Anna L.

November 23, 2002
You sound just like me at 9 weeks. It wasn't until about four or five months I could eat normal again. I hated meat for the first couple of months. And pretty much just snacked too. Now I am almost 8 months post op and I can eat everything, nothing bothers me, and it all tates normal again. Go to www.protein-solution.com there is a comparison chart of all of the best protein supplements. And you can get Real Meals at a discount there. It has a full days protein and vitamins and tastes really good.
   — Marie I.

November 26, 2002
Dear Friend I can only Offer you what I went through. My doctor was tough My only meal choices for the first month post op were 1/4 cup low cal Yougert, or 1/4 cup Low fat cottage cheese or 1 egg, and that was it, besides my protien shake. Now that was the most torturouse month of my life=) especialy since I could not tolorate eggs, they would not pass no matter how I cooked them. So it was yougurt and cottage cheese. =) It took about 3 months for me to handle the eggs, I kept trying. Finnaly at 4 months post op I could handle the eggs (EVERYONE IS DIFFRENT WITH WHAT THEY DO AND DON"T HANDLE SO DON"T FEEL BAD) I didn't get oked for chicken until 3 months post op. I admit I did try it at 2months post op and it did for me exactly what you said it did for you, it just sat there in my chest no matter how long I waited for my water. BUT at remarkably the 3 month mark It got better. Now I still feel it there heavier then other food it passes with no problems. I'm now at 5 months tackling Red meet, and it's going about the same as chicken did. I was told to wait one more month on the beef so I have faith that next month I will pass it like all the rest. Do you have a protien shake you drink? Pro Complex is a great one it gives up to 54 gm of protien per serving. I find that I am less hunrgrey, and less snakie the more protien I eat. AND if I eat any carbs I don't loose any weight that day. SO while I still have a carb or two (I'm human) I accept that for every carb I eat thats 1 less pound I may loose TODAY =) I just want to encourage you maybe your trying to much, to soon. Try cutting back to softer forms of protien for now. There is tofu, alot of "vegitaion" soy/protien products that are softer. Just keep trying and don't give up. Email me any time =)[email protected]
   — alecia L.