Suggestions Appreciated

Well, I'm almost 3 weeks out of surgery and I'm struggling. My family is supportive in most ways, but can also be so ignorant about others. Today they went up to visit my mom's cousin for a BBQ and wanted me to come with. I am eating blended foods and don't even want to because the consistency makes me want to vomit most times. On top of that, my mom made one of my favorite appetizers to bring along there and I can't have it- it's especially frustrating since I told her last night I was craving that same dip. I decided to stay home because I don't want to be around that right now and I'm feeling so nauseated.

I guess I'm just wondering how do you guys deal with the disapointment of not being able to partake in a lot of these activities, knowing you couldn't eat anything?

The other problem I'm having is taking my medicines crushed. They make me absolutely nauseated and I've tried everything to get them to go down without tasting horrible. Any suggestions on this one?

I'm having a real rough time and know it will pass in a few months, but I battle from depression to begin with and this is just making it a bit harder.

Be strong Nicole, and know that this is a lifestyle change for the better! I just posted a post about not eating birthday cake because I am having a party for my son today! It's hard but I think its all MENTAL! you can go without eating your favorite dish for now, it's not a forever thing. Just know that and accept that and maybe next time try just a little bit of it! I would....U probably wont even like it anymore! LOL wishful thinking!!! :) Cheer up!

Hugs,

once youre back on solid foods itll be tons easier because you will be able to adjust what theyre eating to fit with you. but for now it does kind of suck! just remember why you did this & the happiness & fun doesnt come from the food, it comes from you! (haha thats my PSA for today.)

Its hard, but it does get better! Something a lot of post ops do when going to family functions or other gatherings is make and bring something you can eat so you don't feel out of place and you're able to enjoy time with people. Once you get to where you're eating more solid foods you'll find things you can eat. Its been a little nerve wracking going to parties not being sure if you'll be able to eat the foods there. There are lots of wls friendly party foods out there!

 I totally understand the dislike of crushing medicines.  The only thing that I have found that makes the two capsules I have to take tolerable is Crystal Light Lemon Lime flavor.  The problem with that is a lot of the medication sticks to the side of the cup, so I probably am only getting in about half of the doze I'm supposed to be taking.  But when I put it in food, I gag. I wish I could just take the capsule whole.

Nichole,
you may be able to swallow some of those pills now. I was able to at three weeks out. I was so scared of doing it I was sure they'd get stuck. But the hole going in is the same size as it always was. Just the hole going out is the size of a pencil eraser now. Of course, don't go against your doctors advice if they said pills are a no no. But...

Thanks ladies for all your support! It's so hard now being on blended food, because I can't stomach the texture. With my family having burgers and brats, I knew there was no way I could even enjoy being around them. I wasn't going to sit at the dinner table while they're chowing on burgers and I'm eating tuna or baby food. I know I was going to be miserable, so I said screw it. Plus I'm having bad diarrhea today and couldn't stand the hour long drive there. My mom suggested having my cousin throw a cheeseburger in a blender and I nearly wanted to vomit. I guess I'm just going to eat cream of wheat and cottage cheese for the next week and a half until I can move up to soft foods.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time.

I am not unable to partake in activities like a family BBQ.  If they will be serving food I can't eat, or if I'm not sure what they will be serving, I take my own food.  I did that sometimes even before surgery because I am a vegetarian.  If I went to a family cookout, I would often bring along a veggie burger and throw that on the grill with the hamburgers and hot dogs.

It is a lot harder when you're on pureed foods, for sure.  When I was just over a week post-op, my whole family was going to a nice restaurant to celebrate someone's birthday.  I went along.  It was the first day I was supposed to eat pureed foods and I didn't want to take my own food to the restaurant.  I just ordered a side dish of mashed potatoes and I only ate about three or four bites but I was able to be there with everyone else and I had an OK time.

As far as crushing meds, I never crushed any.  Well, actually I tried it one time because I was getting nauseous when I took a bunch of pills and someone suggested crushing them might help but ew!  It did not help at all.  I mixed it in pudding and I threw it up right after I swallowed it.

Are you having trouble swallowing pills whole?  The ASMBS says it's OK to swallow vitamins as soon as you're able to tolerate it, so I assume that would also mean it was OK to swallow other pills as well as soon as you can tolerate it.

Regarding the pills, the surgeon's office has said that after having bypass you have to have them either liquid or crushed for 4-6 weeks. I'm not sure why honestly, but they're making me so sick and I'm going to have to talk to my surgeon about it because I tried it in applesauce and every bite made me want to gag. I take my pills with cranberry juice and still feel so nauseated every time after I take them.

I'm not telling you to swallow them whole.  However, you might  wanna ask your surgeon why they must be crushed for four weeks, what will happen if you don't crush them, and why he disagrees with what the ASMBS says about it.  There is absolutely no way I could have gotten all my meds in if I had to crush them for four weeks.