I need help... or advice..

Ok Va Men and Women - I need help.  I am a little frustrated... I am  about every other day o  r couple daysand it's not every meal... some times its once and other times it goes on for a 2 or 3 hours.  Im measuring everything, timing everything so I eat slow ... I don't know if its the position I am eating ( DH and I tend to eat on the couch) or what the deals.. I did so good the first 3 weeks, once i heat solid foods or more "dense foods" if you will... forget it... How can you tell (probably can't) if something is going to make you upset.... I know some of this is in the "trial and error" phase... so far I think I have ruled out Ham for sure at least for now... Any advice you can give.. I don't want to get dehydrated and with my stomach being so sensative there are times when I can't drink anything for a couple hours after an episode... and when I think Im done. umm no.... Sorry to complain , just need some pointers, lifters or something..... XOXO Amanda

RNY on 12/14/07?? You a re barfing because you are eating food your body is not ready for at this point of the recovery process ,i.e, ham is not an menu item at this point. I am at 16 months am struggle with chicken and fish still. at you rpoint, the surgeon's meal plan had me through 2 weeks of liquids and 2 weeks of soft foods.  At this pint I was at 2 weeks of intro solids like imitation cab, boiled or steamed shrimp, white meat (such as fish I still struggled with as mentioned), tuna, boiled egg whites, mac and cheese,..... And it was still pretty touch and go, I relied pretty heavy on merging the soft food paln and the intro meats into something I could sustain myself on.  Protein shakes were still a very significant part of the diet. I think you are just trying to progress quicker than your body is ready.  Food with too much fat or sugar content (whether yo are aware of it ornot, your body is and will let you know) will make you sicker than a dog.   10 minutes of eating can make me sick for 30 mins to 3 hours and is just not worth the choice on purpose.  It happens more than I like by accident with stuff I think is OK or I have have before.   So I eat slow when I try something new or something I'm not sure its perfectly safe to eat.  If after the first bite or two I am experiencing anything abnormal or questionable, I'm done with that.  I had my first ham I could hold down in Dec, 15 months post-op and too much, would get me anyways.   Meatloaf, if it is lean enough is heaven.  If the meat is too fatty or greasy, its coming back.  I have learned to listen to my body much better as it lets me know before I put enough down to make myself sick.  But occassionally, I still don't listen.  Smoothies are great but if they are made with ice cream or regular yogurt instead or lowfart yogurt, sherbet,  or ice,......Barf city. I don' t meant to sound harsh if I came across that way, it wasn't my intent. I am trying to give some sincere direction to help your situation as I understand it. Good luck and hope you improve.  If youare eatin inaccordance with your doctors plan and all this is in alignment with what is tru and right, then you should contact your surgeon and inquire , maybe you have a stricture in your pouch opening or exit.

Joe you are probably 100% on the money... I hate to admit it... patcience isn't my viture. I am going to stop eating in front of the tv.. and start having "table time"...  Also. My doc allows ham (canadian bacon type ham) at this stage I believe.  Im meeting my nut today so I have LOTS of questions for her....Thank you for being honest.. although harsh to hear, Id rather have honesty !

I will talk to her about strictures and such... but happy to say, or sad to say I don't think that's it.. I think its my own stubborn will or lack of being aware or taking things for granted because "im feeling better"...  IE) Learning Curve.

Thanks Joe!

Well I havent had my surgery yet so I really cant give much advice on the subject...but you said "Lifter's or anything" so let me be the first to say I sure hope you feel better soon!     Brandi~         

Thanks Brandi (HUGS)

Amanda - can you give us a menu of a typical day for you so we can see what you are eating? When do you take your vitiamins?  Any correlation regaring time you take them until time you eat? Have you spoken to your doctor or nutritionist about this? Jackie

Jackie good food (no pun intended) for thought... I try to take them after dinner, but there have been times I take them before but I wait 15 min (per my doc's orders)...  It is usually at dinner and that is well... "couch table time" so I think I need to start eating at a table vs on the couch...  MAN all the habits you have to change.. ones you didn't even know you had or how they would effect you... Learning Learning Learning.. Im going to see my nut today, so I'll ask lots of questions! Thanks again for your honest engine input

Hey sweetheart .. ! I have been thinking about you and promise to get back in touch with you soon !  I did want to add that it does in deed make a difference where you eat your meals .Many do not think about this , but you pouch really functions better if you are sitting straight up .  As to the Ham .. Is it on your menu for you to have ? What kinf of ham was it ?  The key is to chew chew chew .. which you already know . My thought is right now .. at this time your pouch is still trying to get used to new foods .  I am almost 4 years out and I still struggle with this . I cannot eat Steak . Some pork makes me sick .. and it is still trial and error .  Great example : Tonight I cooked ground turkey .. but it turned out not to be ground turkey .. but mush turkey .. it cooked up bulky . I seasoned it with Sloppy Joe mix and went on to eat it . I have now spent most of my evening with an upset pouch .. and trying to recover . The turkey was to heavy for my pouch . I am now recovering .. but know O too well what you are talking about .  If it continues , I would contact your surgeon and let them know . You cannot go with out food or hydration for too long .  Keep us posted ..  Nat

I LOVE YOUR AVATAR Nat!  Love it.... Im going to see my nut today and as you can see from my other responsis, time for some tough love for me... and honesty with myself.... Good things, just more learning.... What did you decided about Chantilly m'dear?

Here are my two thoughts: 1. For a short while, don't be adventurous yet. Find something that works and stick with it for a while. I have eaten cottage cheese every morning for breakfast for two months. I am sick of it, but I know it works. I don't have a lot of wiggle room in the morning between the kids and work, so I deal. I get more variety at other meals, but it's part of the struggle. Also they heating...is it taking the moisture out of the foods? Just a thought. 2. Drinking: You mentioned not being able to drink for a while after eating, but how long after drinking are you eating? Maybe you aren't giving your pouch enough time to empty before you eat. Or are you doing anything else before eating? Taking vitamins or anything? Maybe you need to give yourself more time between.