Question:
I can not eat anything without feeling sick! Looking for advice!
I am four weeks post-op and have lost 35 pounds. My doctor requires a full liquid diet for the first six weeks which went great for the first three weeks. This last week the thought of putting anything in my mouth makes me so sick to my stomach I can't handle it. I know that I need to eat but I just can't bring myself to do it. I am probably averaging 200 calories a day and virtually no portein!! Does anybody have any suggestions? I would love to hear from anyone who experienced this same problem!! — Trina S. (posted on September 21, 2002)
September 21, 2002
It's really important that you get your protein, vitamins and liquids in.
Nausea is common, sometimes for the first several months. You don't want to
jeopardize your health and remember that your body is doing some MAJOR
healing after this surgery. Have you contacted your doctor?
— Marti R.
September 21, 2002
Hi Trina, I had open distal RNY on 9/14/02 and know just what you are
talking about. I was SO sick-even the thought (or mention)of food nauseated
me. I couldn't get in any protein and could barely drink any water for 3-4
weeks post-op and was sure that I would never feel better again. I ate
sugar free popsicles as often as possible. DO try every day to have a
little more of everything than you did the previous day, but most of all,
lighten up and relax as you don't need the added stress that feeling so bad
causes. You WILL start feeling better soon and THEN you can concentrate on
getting your protein and water. Just this week I am eating regular foods
(in very small amounts) and even looking forward to them! Good luck and
Congratulations!!
— Rebecca T.
September 21, 2002
Hi Trina! I also dealt with a lot of nausea and vomiting at the beginning,
but wasn't on liquids like you. I can just second the opinion below in
that, is your Dr. aware of your troubles? I ended up trying some meds to
get it under control - which helped. (Started with Pepcid OTC, then ended
up on Prilosec Rx which was the best). Perhaps some meds would help you
too? =) Sarah
— Sarah C.
September 21, 2002
Are you having a lot of nasal drip at night? I am 5 weeks post-op and had
a very uneventful first 4 weeks. When my 5th week began (and I went off
the Zantac the doc had me on for the first 4 weeks) I'll bet I threw up 15
times in one day. I called the nurse at my surgeon's office for ideas of
what to do because I couldn't stop throwing up. She asked if I had a lot
of nasal drip. Since I have tons of allergies, I told her yes. They had
me get back on the zantac and take a small dose of benedryl at night before
I went to bed and it worked like a charm. When the mucous gets in your
pouch, nothing is going to stay down. Don't know if this is your problem,
but it was worth mentioning because it makes you horribly sick to your
stomach and I didn't have a clue until they connected the dots for me.
— Cathy S.
September 21, 2002
The reason your sick to your stomach is because your not eating enough.
You need to be taking in 800 calories a day to get rid of the nausea. It's
a vicious cycle. Ask your doctor for prescription nausea medication. It
will help calm your stomach and enable you to eat.
— Patty H.
September 21, 2002
Well theres a saying you got to do what works, and definetely contact your
surgeon. Is the problem you utterly sick of liquids and that making you
naseous just thinking of more of the same? If so you might try some small
quanties of single semi solids and chew to death. You can liquify ANYTHING
by chewing long enough... Some surgons dont release folks from the hospital
till they are eating eggs and such so after 3 weeks it shoudnt be unsafe. I
was on a ten day clear liquid diet that lasted for ME about 7 or 8 before I
cheated. At a month out I was eating porterhouse steak, sure a one inch
cube but it was GREAT. Be Certain to cut anything you eat into pencil
eraser sized bits. <P> Now if you still get sick eating some semi
solids you may have a infection in your intestines. That happened to Jen my
wife after her WLS. Antibiotics fixed her all up.<P> It sounds like
you thinking about cheating. If you do CHEAT responsibly! No hard to digest
stuff and do it in a safe controlled manner... Please let us know what
happens. This can help others who have similiar problems in the future.
— bob-haller
September 22, 2002
Call your surgeon and discuss this with him. I know some think that nausea
and vomiting are normal, but it really isn't. I had NO nausea after
surgery. As one poster mentioned, you may just need more calories and you
definitely need the fluids. My surgeon wasn't particularly concerned about
protein the first two months but he was most concerned about hydration. I
found that V8 Juice was the best thing I could tolerate while on liquids
(fortunately I was only on liquids for a week after leaving the hospital).
Even now, 9 months later, if I get queasy, V8 settles my stomach. And at
least it has some nutrients in it as opposed to jello, popsicles and most
other liquids.
Hope you are feeling better soon - but please, check with your doctor.
— Patty_Butler
September 22, 2002
Eat your protien or drink it is a big part in the healing process.
— sheri B.
September 23, 2002
I am three weeks post op tomorrow, and I have lost 30 lbs. so far. I am
having similar problems...My doc kept me on clear liquids for the first two
weeks, and then released me last Thursday to a Full liquid diet--which
includes pudding, yogurt, milk, and V8 juice in addition to the clear
liquids. I was fine the first two weeks, never a bit of nausea, but as
soon as I started the yogurt and pudding I began throwing it up. I think
maybe I did too much, too fast. I forgot to add only one new food at a
time--don't make the same mistake I did and rush into it. I was throwing
up all day on Friday, and was okay on Saturday, and threw up again on
Sunday after I tried to eat a new food item. I stayed on clear liquids
until today, when I tried some cottage cheese. I am dying for the protein,
and so far, so good. The cottage cheese is staying down. In a few days I
will try a protein shake and I have also found that skim milk doesn't
bother me at all. Go slow--very cautiously--and listen to your body. I
think alot of people have similar problems to yours and mine, and we can
get through it and push on. With all this great support, how can we not?
— mjlward1
September 25, 2002
hey Trina Im 4months postop. Ive been having the same problems as you. Ive
lost 130lbs ,and im not sure when its going to stop.Please take this
advice, You have to force yourself to eat something. I have to every day
Even if its just crackers. At least then you can gag your viatims down.
I have to make my self eat something daily, usually some for of potato. My
caloric intake is about 200 daily. My protein is non existant. I have No
Appetite EVER. And when i do eat something i exp. radical waves of nausea.
But this isnt Dumping from sugar Sugar doesnt bother me at all. but i try
not to eat much of it. I like OTTERPOPS I could eat them allday long but i
dont think theres much nutrition to them.Frozen FlavoredSugar Water. Any
how im going to see my surgeon on 9 30 and were going to discuss my problem
Ive become Anorexic, Please dont let this happen to you.Call Your Doctor
Now. Dont wait months like I have, I kept thinking Im tough i can handle
this. Well ive become a big wimp lately, becuase im starving myself and i
dont know how to stop it. Please find out any info. you can from your Dr.
and share it with me. I will share any info. I receive this week from my
Dr. Please Email me directly at [email protected] Good luck to you and God
Bless
Tony Newman
— tony N.
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