Question:
Anyone else 4 weeks out having trouble with food?

I am 4 weeks today from open RNY, lost 46 pounds, but I know why! I cant keep any solid food down at all. I tried a few spoonfulls of mashed potatoes, up it came, tried some pureed applesauce, that came up too. It feels as though my pouch may be irritated, as I am getting over pneumonia and have a lot of mucous that is being swallowed (sorry). Could this be the cause? I am getting so weak although I was able to keep down a protein drink and water mixed with juice so Im pretty sure it isnt a stricture. I have had a very hard recovery and am asking myself now why I have done this to myself? I am wondering! Thanks for your help, Donna    — donnalawbabe (posted on February 15, 2002)

February 15, 2002
It is good to ask opinions of others here, but I do hope you will call your doctor. Please. It sounds like you should be letting him/her know about all of this... NOW.
   — Danmark

February 15, 2002
What Daniel said. Do NOT be embarrassed about calling your doctor. This is part of their job and their aftercare. If it's nothing, all you've lost is a little time talking to him, but if it is something that needs attention, the sooner the better.
   — garw

February 15, 2002
I had a horrible time for weeks 4 through 12. I couldn't keep anything down, not even mashed potatoes. I even threw up water. I could swallow food fine, so it wasn't a narrowing of the stoma ... but I just had a very sensitive tummy and couldn't keep anything down. Then suddenly, around week 12, I was able to eat normally again. Not totally normally, but 600-800 calories rather than 100-200 calories. I felt a world better and stopped regretting the surgery at that point. In hindsight, I probably should have alerted my doctor, but I didn't. Probably my rapid weight loss at first (100 lbs. in 3 months) was one of the reasons for my hair loss in months 4-8. Write me directly if you want some support. I can give you some ideas for foods you might be able to tolerate.
   — Terissa R.

February 15, 2002
When I had my second stricture, I was able to tolerate fluids but not foods. I'm not saying that is what is going on but it is a possibility. You are weak probably because you are dehydrated. I got dehydrated very quickly. I was really surprised how fast it happened. Please call your surgeon on this. I'm sure he will want to see you. And also you are a prime candidate for a stricture because you are 4 weeks out. Good luck.
   — Cheri M.