Question:
I have been sick since 2 weeks postop.

At 2 weeks my doctor put me on stage 4 foods and I have had severe abdominal and lower discomfort along with chronic nausea. Cat scan and x-rays are good. Can this just be "adjusting"?    — rochelle C. (posted on May 29, 2005)

May 29, 2005
Stage 4 foods I am guessing means soft but normal foods. You have to remember that this surgery changes your whole GI tract so foods that you normally eat will make you sick. If the xrays looks alright, it is either the food or the amount. What was suggested to me is that when I pick my meal, use 1 food that I know I can eat and 1 new food. If I don't get sick then I add that to my can eat foods. If I do get sick then I add it to my tray later foods. Never eat more than 1 new food at a time or you won't know what is making you sick. So maybe that will help you as well. Stick with foods you know you can eat and add 1 new one at a time. Foods that have been great for me have been soft fruit, cheese raviollis, soft chilli beans and tuna fish. Hope this helps! Dave
   — David B.

May 29, 2005
Rochelle, All Doc's are different & our had us on pureed food for 6 weeks. so I would keep your food to soft for a little while longer. Refried beans w/cheese, chilli, scrambled eggs that kind of stuff. Eat very slow should take you up to 30 min to eat just 4 oz. of food. Chew a lot & don't drink any liquid up to 30 min after you eat. Good luck, it does get better. Stay away from really hard to digest foods for a while. Marilyn
   — Marilyn C.

May 29, 2005
I know the docs have their reasons for their programs, so I'm not disputing that at all. Sometimes our bodies have other ideas. Just like any other type of medical procedure where treatment is issued and the problem isn't quite fixed. So, having said that so you know I'm not saying to "do something else", let me asking some questions. When did it start? Where, exactly does it hurt, how long after eating is the nausea and then the lower abd discomfort? Gas? Bowel changes? Since we don't have the same stages as you do, can you describe what you eat, how much of it and how long it takes you to eat it? Where do liquids factor into it all?
   — vitalady

June 1, 2005
Make sure your getting in enough calories. I had 24/7 nausea for the 1st 8 weeks post-op because I was only getting in about 300 calories a day. I needed at least 600 a day to feel better and lose the nausea.
   — Patty H.

June 1, 2005
I had nausea for the first two months after surgery. Mine finally went away after that.
   — llorsak