Question:
Nausea, vomiting, smell & car sick

I am 3 1/2 months post op, down 56 lbs & 8 clothes sizes. I have a few questions. 1. After I eat, I can not tolerate the sight or the smell of food. It makes me cringe and get very nauseated and feel like I am going to pass out. I often need to leave the room because I feel like I am going to throw up. (I have a few times). 2. I also get car sick now. I have never experienced this before and its very, very bad if I get in a car soon after eating. I have to close my eyes, turn onn the air, but I'm cold and sit by the window, I have had to hang my head out while driving down the street. 3. I refuse to eat in front of my grandmother. She thinks if I eat more than 2 bites I have had way too much and I try to tell her calmly I know when I'm full. I am afraid of "being fat" again like I was. I have enough problems w/o her telling me I eat to much. I know I don't eat enough, but I feel like all I do is eats. (I eat like once a day...not good and lie to everyone about it). Please let me know if this is normal and my weight loss progress for my time post op. I'm seriously thinking about going to a dietician &/or psychiatrist. Thanks.    — kimberlycoffelt (posted on October 31, 2002)

October 31, 2002
Your nausea might be coming from eating too little. Try eating small meals 3 to 5x per day. Focus on protein then fruits and vegies to keep your blood sugar stable. It is a good Idea to see a dietician or therapist to help you work through your fear of eating. Good luck!
   — maryburton

October 31, 2002
At only 3.5 months out, I wouldn't worry too much about any of these things...except, maybe, Grandma. I am 2.25 years out, and still get sick at the sight or smell of food after I have eaten. Even t.v. commercials can make me feel nauseous. Try to think of this as a good thing! It will prevent you from overeating, and you will probably lose to goal weight. You soon (well, after 9 or 10 months) become sensitive to when you are "full". The secret is to stop eating just before you begin to feel full as it normally takes about ten minutes for the feeling to register completely. Put down your fork and just sit quietly and wait when you suspect you have eaten enough. If that full feeling doesn't come, then take another bit. I suspect that the reason you are getting car sick and throwing up after is that you have eaten until you are overly full. I was ill daily for the first year after my rny, and like you, found myself only eating once a day. Try using some protein powder and other supplements if you are worried about not getting enough nutrition. At 2.25 years out now, I still have to be careful not to get too full and not to eat any sugar or fat or I get very sick. I don't know why some of us become so sensitive. I certainly know many here (including my own brother)who never seem to get sick and who can eat anything and in larger quantities. They often do not lose all their weight. so, be happy that you are one of the fortunate ones whose eating patterns may be changed for life! I expect that this new relationship with food will probably continue the rest of my life...and that's all right with me. My life style has not been compromised. I still go out to fabulous restaurants and enjoy wonderful meals with friends and families at celebrations. What has changed (drastically) is my palette...I crave fresh vegetables...I mean REALLY fresh...and the sight or smell of fast food and unhealthy food makes me sick. I am incredibly healthy! I eat right, take supplements and vitamins and exercise daily. And, of yes...I'm a size 4. Do I feel deprived because I can't eat ice cream or french fries? NOT A BIT. Would I do this over again? IN A HEART BEAT. good luck to you. Keep me posted on your progress.
   — Anne G.