Question:
Does it ever get better, really?

I am eight weeks post surgery and still cannot chew and swallow anything other than soft foods. Dr S. keeps telling me that this will get better but I am having a hard time believing it. I went with my husband and his family to a resturant for the first time today and ate mashed potatoes, tried to chew some chicken and had to excuse myself because it was coming right back up. At this point I do not feel like I will ever be able to chew and swallow food again. Everything my family does is food centered and I am beginning to wonder if this was such a good idea. It is hard to hear the comments about my surgery and I am just wanting to become a recluse and not be around any activity where food is involved. Does anyone else feel the same way or has anyone else experienced this same problem with chewing and swallowing? I really feel like I am losing my grip! I try to think positive about the 57# I have already lost and I am almost half way to my goal but is it worth it?    — Annie H. (posted on July 29, 2001)

July 29, 2001
Wow! Almost half way to goal at only 2 months postop?! Amazing! That alone is one major accomplishment! Well, chicken is hard for many people. It must be very well moistened for me to get it down. It is one of only a few foods I have trouble with. Another tip for you is that you MUST RELAX when you eat! Eat slowly, don't eat when you are excited, angry, in a hurry, etc. -- cause it causes pain - for me, anyway. Take small bites and make sure your food is moist -- use some low cal gravy if you need to or sauces. Try eating soups - they are nutritious and moist. Try mixes several foods into a bite cause that can sometimes help get the food to pass better. Don't drink with your meal though. Now let me say, this is RNY advice only, ok? Things will get better, just relax and listen to your body and follow this advice. I LOVE to eat, I love eating 'activities' and no one notices that I don't eat like they do. Remember to chew, chew, chew before swallowing - soon this will become natural to you. Concentrate on enjoying the conversation rather than the food -- people will find you more interesting and they won't know why! lol and yes, it is WORTH IT!
   — Cindy H.

July 29, 2001
I know how you feel about everything being food centered. I don't enjoy going out to dinner anymore. My husband eats while I have a few bites and then wrestle the baby until he's finished. I quit drinking 4 years ago. Now I've stopped eating. My husband and I don't have much in common anymore. Two of the biggest things we enjoyed doing together are now gone! Chicken is also a tough one for me. I've been eating solids since the day after surgery. I had a lap RNY. Sometimes the food thing is a real bummer but I have to say....When I look at myself now and see how many sizes I have dropped. I would never trade this for anything!!! Good Luck and chin up...Things will get better!
   — stephanie G.

July 29, 2001
Well, honestly I didn't read the answers thoroughly, but I didn't notice right off that anyone suggested you be scoped & dilated in case you are slightly closed off. The other question I need to ask is how much are you consuming? If your pouch is one oz, are you shooting for more than one oz of food? Also, some foods go easy, some never do. 7 yrs and I rarely ever eat chicken or rice. I have to be prepared to forfeit "this meal" if I do. Might be one bite & I'm done. Might be fine. I felt as you did once and I DID have a mechanical problem, marginal ulcer. Hole was slightly closed and a half hour scope & a few meds & I was good to go. Some things do not agree with me, but hey, my lungs & feet work, I can take my supplements, who cares if I lost chicken? I can now eat chips & butter without penalty! SMALL price to pay. But you're still in the break-in period. If you have a very limited scope of foods you can eat, you may need to INSIST upon being seen for mechanical problems. And the fix is EASY.
   — vitalady

July 29, 2001
SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG!!!!!! GO TO YOUR DOC IMMEDIATELY. I am one week post op and I can keep liquids, crackers, potatoes, etc. down. Something is not right. The View had a lady on that based the RNY surgery a few months ago. She said that she experienced some of the same things that you are mentioning and now years later she is very ill because she did not get things checked out early on. Please see a doctor!
   — Courtney W.

July 30, 2001
All the posts are good, but the last one hit it the best. SEE A DOCTOR "NOW"!
   — Danmark

July 30, 2001
Personally, I don't think that anything is "wrong" with you. I marvel at people who are eating solid food 2-3 weeks after surgery. My surgeon keeps his patients on a liquid diet for 4 weeks and then a semi-solid diet for two weeks. Your body is telling you that you aren't ready for solid food. There are some great liqud protein drinks on the market...that's all I had for the first 4 weeks. Check back with your doctor and let him know what is going on, get some guidance on going liquid or semi-soft for a while. Semi-soft being scrambled eggs, soups, jello etc, sugar-free applesauce etc. Some of us don't even have an appetite for food after surgery. Perhaps that's why you are having trouble; it's hard to force oneself to eat. You might want to take a break from food centered activities for awhile. It's ok...you've had major surgery and you have a lot of adjustments to make. I can guarantee you that it does get better!!! In the coming weeks you will begin to feel stronger, you will adjust to new eating habits, you'll start losing weight rapidly and everything will seem much brighter. You are not alone.
   — [Anonymous]

July 30, 2001
Your stoma may have narrowed if you can't keep food down. See your surgeon soon. Good luck.
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 30, 2001
Hi, just had to stop and post. I had my surgery Jan 15,2001 and I am now currently down 101 lbs. YYYYAAAHHHOOOO. But the food thing wow it is so different. I dont do well with alot of meat other than fish and chicken and than that has to be rotisery, grilled no skin. No more KFC
   — jay B.