Question:
Will I ever be able to eat again?

At 3 weeks post op, seems all that goes down comfortable are sips of these dreaded protein drinks and I sooooo want to gulp water. All foods are uncomfortable. It's so hard to get all that water and 60 gr. of protein in. Takes me 2 days. Help, anyone?    — Georgia H. (posted on June 30, 2002)

June 30, 2002
Please call your surgeon asap. You should be able to eat small amounts and drink sips without difficulty. You may have a stricture.
   — DianeN

June 30, 2002
Georgia, Looks like we're both pretty much STARVING! I am also 3 weeks post-op and not much sits right in my pouch, either. I've lost 40# so far, but it has been torturous. have you tried round cheese ravioli and other softer foods? Lentil soup has been a blessing and I can even have french onion now and then. I stick to soups and some soft pasta. I would call your surgeon, b/c it sounds like you're eating less than I am, which is hard to imagine. Good luck and e-mail me if you want to trade war stories since we're both 3 weeks out! :)
   — Kelly C.

June 30, 2002
Georgia, I believe you will be okay. It's going to take a while. At 8 months post op, I am just now beginning to actually be able to EAT. I lived on protein shakes, and semi-solid foods but I took advantage of my window of opportunity and that weight came off. It's not fun, but unfortunately, part of the process. If it keeps up, you may want to call your doctor, but I'd say it's still so early in the game, that you'll be fine. Best only to you.
   — Annie H.

June 30, 2002
If pureed is uncomfortable, then you may just have that stricture that the prev. poster mentioned. You are a prime candidate at 3 weeks out. That is when they usually occur. I had 2, one at 2 1/2 wks. and the next around week 4 or 5. It was so great to be able to eat again. I became very weak, dehydrated. Stay on top of this problem and inform your surgeon of your difficulty with food.
   — Cheri M.

July 1, 2002
Hi Georgia - It can be very discouraging...I call my supper time - the time to sit and look at the food on my plate. I've discovered all the quirks that my family has while they eat because what else am I going to look at? :) I'm about 3-months out and I take a few bites and I'm full - I have been able to increase the amount of water intake, at one time, to about 3 oz. and that was exciting...when I'm thirsty, I want to quench my thirst quickly and not being able to do so has been somewhat discouraging. My surgeon told me to get in 40 gms. of protein a day - he told me to judge the amount of protein by my goal weight rather than the weight I was at the time of surgery so that helped....it's wild how the grams of protein differ from doc to doc. I've been getting in around 30 - 40 gms. and I'm doing great with it. The good news is that you'll lose the weight - if I didn't need the surgery to save my life though - I certainly would have never had it handled for simple cosmetic reasons. It's a major, major surgery and transition and the "bad" gets erased quickly by the quick weight loss so hang in there. It's like going through childbirth...the comfort levels aren't great - to say the least but the rewards can be really wonderful. If you can hang on to those thoughts, it will help you get through the crummy times. It gets better with each passing day, I can at least give you that bit of positive but it's still a tough transition...we're being re-trained.
   — Lisa J.

July 1, 2002
At nearly a year out I miss those days. Not carying if I ate, no appetite, full on a few bites. Yes it does get better, or worse depending on how you look at it. I can now eat a pizza hut personal pan supreme, as a full meal.
   — bob-haller