concerned need input

Hey...I read Special Kay all the time. I really admire her. I print out "what's on your menu" that everyone responds to with her. I am amazed what you guys are eating and I am so disappointed that I can not eat that well. I drink but probably not enough...water and crystal light taste like metal, and hurt my pouch. (most everything does). I can eat 1/2 container of yogart. And do broth. Anything else I try hurts to the point I have to and then I am ok. I realized today that I have a hugh fear factor of eating now. I don't think about it, but I know I need to eat and get some protein in me. I usually just op for a spoonfull of peanut butter and some juice. Every now and then I will try a nibble of something and I can tell right away if "Lil D" will allow it. I just started a new job I really like and I refuse to eat there for fear of dumping or whatever. I drink juice all the time. and keep PB close. (It is 11p-7am) I don't know what to do or who to turn to to nip this in the butt. Everyone in January post-op is doing so great. Keep up the good work. I am learning the scale isn't what matter at all. Deborah J

Deborah, I was just emailing my friend today out of frustration and expressing similar feelings. You would think I would have this whole thing figured out by now, but I don't. Trying to figure out what sits well and what doesn't...when to take my meds, vitamins, when and what to eat, how fast to eat and the ultimate challenge...trying to get my fluids in. I just feel like I can't do it! For the past few days, I have been basically living off of protein shakes because food is so "iffy" right now. I wish I had some words of encouragement or some tips for you! I think in my case, I am just trying to stick with what works, as limited as that may be right now. I would say if juice and peanut butter are working for you, stick with that...then maybe slowly try to add one thing at a time...maybe on the days you don't work. Can you talk to a nutritionist with any specific questions you may have? Maybe he/she can give you some ideas. Just trying to help! Hang in there... Chele

I haven't seen my surgeon yet but soon, and I have a support group wed so I will ck with the dietician. Thank you for your input, I know this is just the beginning of my journey but I am so tired of it all. Thanks Deborah

Hi Deborah I'm happy you enjoy my post. It really helps me and I'm glad it helps others as well. You are not alone in this food battle. I never thought in a million years that I would be afraid to eat. I use to be 450 lbs.. I loved to eat. A lot of days I do like you and just stick with protein shakes so I dont even have to bother with food. Since surgery, I have lived off Egg beaters, tuna and protein shakes. I have no interest in trying anything else. If your not eating, try to drink a protein shake instead. I like Carb countdown chocolate milk with a scoop of unflavored protein powder. I only use 4 oz of milk so its not much to drink. I asked my surgeons nurse today about not eating and just doing shakes when I have no appitite and she said its fine because not having an appitite is normal this early out. Ask your surgeon or nut about it. Cybil, my pouch, dont like Crystal Lite either. Have you tried Propel, Diet Snapple or SF Kool aid? They count as water as well. I drink Propel all the time. It has lots of vitamins in it. Just hang in there, it will get better. Food is just starting to feel ok in my pouch after I eat. At first I thought something was wrong but my surgeon was telling me that my pouch was just not ready. If you have any concerns, call your surgeon. Thats what they are there for. If you just need to vent or talk, Post and let it all out. Thats what WE Are her for. Take Care and remember you are not alone. Kay

Thanks Kay.... My brain has shut off as far as things to try. I was drinking slurpee's (crystal light) but they taste like raw eggs now. I wonder if things will ever taste normal again. Maybe it is all in my head. I will continue to try and talk with people here this week. Again thanks... Deborah

Hello, Deborah! My surgery was January 24th...and I understyand exactly what you mean. Water tastes metallic..with or without flavouring..and I used to drink huge amounts of water...protein drinks make me gag...food makes me barf as a rule. I live on soup and yogurt and Im so tired of it all that Id rather just not bother to eat or drink! But I do realize that I must so I try daily to take in protein and water but its a struggle each day....I told my doctor that Id never dreamed that it would be such a CHORE to eat...how ironic! Nancy B

Deborah, I am sorry to hear that you are having all of those frustrations. At the same time I am glad to hear that "I" am normal. Like Kay, I never thought that the "I'm not interested in food" thing would happen to me, but I have to force myself to drink the protien shakes (I am tired of everything that works) and the water. If I could live off not food or drink, I swear at this point I would. :i) So buck up, you are not alone, just keep sharing so we can all relate and get through it together. I hope it all turns around for you soon. PS I am with you on the scale. I have major stalls every other week. I stay the exat same and then all the sudden change. I was a slave to the scale in the begining and now I weight once a week and truly I do not get bummed, I am in a process here and I know that by my birthday I should be somewhere (at least close) around my goal. Cheers! Kristie

Hi Deborah - had my surgery on the 23rd also, and I know what you mean. I'm just really not interested in eating, but I've noticed that when I'm not getting enough food in my weight loss slows down, so I'm really trying to eat right. I have fat free cottage cheese with a Dole fruit cup most mornings for breakfast and sometimes at lunch. It's the one thing that consistently works for me. Tuna salad works good, but I'm burnt out on it now. Sometimes shrimp and those Gorton frozen fish fillets go down okay, too, but sometimes they don't. I've also had good success with stuffed mushroom caps. At first I limited myself even more with my choices because I was worried about calorie content, but really I don't eat enough of anything to exceed 800 calories once in a while on a good day, so now I just go with what will work. Obviously I'm not being totally stupid and eating super high calorie things either. Anyway, I totally sympathize with what you are saying. Try Diet peach schapple for a drink. I can drink that most of the time without getting burnt out on it. Hang in there - I know this phase will pass for us too. Sylvia

Deborah, first I think you should check into the possibility of having a stricture. Second, is some of the food the other posts have recommended (cottage cheese, tuna). Also, remember when you eat that you pouch really only holds around 1 Tbs. and that when you chew, you add saliva to what you eat so that means even less food really. My nut gave us a plastic egg to represent how big our pouch is, but that's really inaccurate. When I saw my surgeon at my 4 week, he said my pouch is only 20ccs, which is just a little more than 1 Tbs. So, maybe you're trying to eat too much right now. Start with 1-2 bites (tiny) of something and then stop and see how that feels. Also, you mention that you're drinking juice all the time. Just be careful that you're not taking in too many carbs/sugar. Juice is loaded with carbs & calories that you probably don't need. Maybe your surgeon is different, though, because mine doesn't allow juice at all. Start slow and just tiny bits and see what happens. Good luck and call your doctor if you continue to have problems. Lisa S.

You know, it's funny, I was just feeling sorry for myself today about how much I dislike eating anymore! I was going to post about the very same thing! I'm having a lot of the same problems as you and some of the other ladies who wrote. It's good to know that I'm "normal". What's really irritating is that one day I'll eat something and it will be fine. Another day, the same thing makes me barf. I think sometimes I don't take enough time and chew well enough. Still learning, I guess. I know I'm not getting enough fluid most days, too. Raspberry CL bothers my pouch, I've discovered. I haven't dared try anything carbonated yet. I used to like Propel, but now it tastes like kaka to me! I love iced tea, but I need to watch the caffiene. I feel sometimes like it's a full time job trying to take all my vitamins, exercising, getting enough water and taking an hour to eat every meal! I guess the comfort I can give is that my friends who have had this surgery tell me this all DOES get better in time. We just need to hang in there!