Question:
Is there anything that can help?- Meats intolerable.

I am in dire need of support here.....I am just over 5 months post-op and am down 114 pounds (with about 40 more to go). I was sure that at this point my eating would get better, but it hasn't. I try and try to eat what I should, but my pouch just won't accomadate. I cannot tolerate meats- no matter what they are or how they are prepared. Occassionally I can eat a few bites of scrambled egg and rarely I can eat ground beef in some form. I have tried to eat incredibly slow- taking a bite and waiting about 10 minutes for the next. But if its meat, it is coming back up. Sometimes I can eat a few bites and feel fine, but about an hour later, up it comes. I don't drink with my meals and I wait sometimes hours before I drink- fearful that I will get sick. Even more frustrating is that I can eat sweets and some chips (mostly Cheetos) all day long with no problem. I don't eat alot of these things, but sometimes its all I can get to stay down. I have never dumped on anything, no matter how sweet. I do eat a good amount of cheese, so I get alittle protein in.....My husband insists that I call my surgeon, but when I saw him at 3 months, he kept telling me it would get better. I don't think there is anything that can be done. I am so worried that I am going to make myself sick since I am not eating correctly. I want so bad to eat the right foods- I MISS CHICKEN! But my body won't let me. I am just as depressed now as I was before my surgery, just about something different. What can I do? I have tried so many protein bars, all of which were beyond disgusting. The shakes- well, I just don't want to have to live off of shakes forever. All of the protein supplements I have seen are too big for us to take. WHAT DO I DO? I am so EXTREMLY happy about the weight loss, but I am beginning to wonder if I did the right thing.....Help?    — karmiausnic (posted on March 1, 2003)


March 1, 2003
See your surgeon and get scoped, your stoma may be too small. This is easily fixed and please let us know what happens. How do you do with soup with meats?
   — bob-haller

March 1, 2003
Have your tried, or do you like fish? I find that I cannot tolerate meat, however I can eat shrimp and scallops and all types of bottom fish like halibut. They are a great protein source. Just a thought.
   — Lori S.

March 1, 2003
Having shakes daily is not all together a bad thing, you know? Esp if it gives you back your life. Pop over to: This was formerly the Protein Shakes Addict and Perverts http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-Protein/ for help doing that. I agree with Bob that something is not right with your pouch. And a scope is the most direct route to the solution. While all of us can't eat everything all the time, every intact someone should be able to eat some things. If that made sense. How does water taste?
   — vitalady

March 1, 2003
Now, I am only 6 weeks out of surgery, but I cannot tolerate any beef or pork of any kind, no matter how it is cooked. I am able to tolerate chicken, fish, tuna, eggs, cheese... stuff like that, so I can still get in a decent source of protein, just not in any quantity at this time. I asked my surgeon about it and he said it will get better in time, and that what I cannot tolerate really isn't that great for me right now anyway, which is true. Ask your doctor about this. At your stage of the game, you should be able to tolerate some of those foods, I would think. Good luck!
   — thumpiez

March 1, 2003
ORIGINAL POSTER- I don't eat seafood, but I did at least try tuna and flounder, neither with good results. My water intake is great and it tastes fine. I can't do soups with meat either....About the scope- what exactly do they do and is in done in office or hospital? (I assume its done in the hospital.) I am fearful of going back into the hospital, running up yet another set of bills. Yea, I know my health is more important, but I am drowning in debt right now....Thanks for the responses!
   — karmiausnic

March 1, 2003
I know you don't want to hear another "go back to the doc and see about getting a scope" but that's what you need done!! I had to have a dialation at 6 weeks post-op because the stoma was already closing off! Several gals in my support group have had the same signs/symptoms at about the same amount of time out as you, and have had to be scoped/dialated. They are doing soooooooooooo much better now. It made me really mad when I couldn't have chicken! I can eat about anything now as far as meat is concerned, but I have gotten sick twice on baked cod- weird. Good luck, and please go back and get checked out.
   — Terri Z.

March 1, 2003
Hi Karen. I'm sorry you're having such a rough time! I think you've gotten some great advice about getting scoped. There's supposed to be an adjustment period post-op, but it shouldn't be *this* hard. I had a different procedure than you did, but I don't eat meat and the protein shakes made me nauseous in the early weeks, so I had to work hard to get enough protein in. I found that the ProCel protein powder (you can order it online from Vitalady.com) was a lifesaver. It's nearly flavorless, and can be mixed into lots of different foods. I mixed it into yogurt and soups with good results. It went down easy. I also ate a lot of cheese, tofu, and eggs in those early weeks. Now I'm eight months post-op, and I have no problem drinking a protein shake or two every day -- I even look forward to them. And, because I know I'm getting most of my protein in that way, I don't have to stress so much about finding protein-rich foods the rest of the time. I just eat what I want and then track it all on fitday.com (to make sure I'm not getting too out-of-whack with calories, carbs, saturated fat, etc.). Good luck, and please try not to worry too much. In a few months, you'll be tolerating many more foods and this will all be MUCH easier.
   — Tally

March 1, 2003
I am almost 9 months post-op open rny and I have only been able to tolerate regular chicken,meat, etc for the last 6 weeks.Even now I still have to be careful that it is not overcooked and dry or my pouch will not tolerate it. I lived off of yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, etc. I would buy the big pack of 2% cheese slices that kraft makes and would grab 1-2 for a snack. I also found hormel white meat chicken in the can worked and I would have that on a couple of crackers. Their chicken is in the little cans by the deviled ham and is a paste consistancy. I also had pretty good luck usually with deli sliced turkey and chicken but it had to be sliced ultra thin "shaved" and I mixed it with some light mayo to make it more moist. Even at 9 months out I still cannot eat beef for the most part. I was able to get in about 60 grams of protein and my weight loss has been great, -150 in 9 months. Good luck to You!!
   — karenrose

March 1, 2003
Karen--I am almost 5 months post-op and have the exact same problem as you--I cannot eat meat --I can also eat cheetos--and chips but I stay away from them--I visited my surgeon last week and told him -He said they like us to stay away from red meat for a year and that chicken is very hard to digest--but he also suggested dialating me--I do good with water and take my vitamins regularly also biotin 1200mg since week 2 and I have had no hair loss thus far--We decided to wait til my next visit and see if things are better since my weight loss has been so good--
   — Marie R.

March 1, 2003
I have some days that if you put meat in front of me --ick. I keep protocookies on-hand for those days. I can do fish pretty well. Beef, no way unless it's ground beef. I can do beef bologna if I chew very, very well and only eat a small portion and take the outer skin off of it. Chicken is a 50/50 shot for me, but I can occasionally do it if it's very, very moist. Get some protocookies from www.protocookie. I keep them in my desk at work for bad days--at least it helps with the protein. The sportcookies they have are sugarfree and great for snacking. I do deli cheese and get them to slice it very, very thin for me and do a lot of cheese that way. But my meat problem is getting better at nearly 7 mos. post-op. Just have to keep it slow and simple.
   — Cathy S.

March 1, 2003

   — Linda A.

March 3, 2003
I'm in my 5th month out after a re-do and can't tolerate meat of any type, fish or eggs. I eat a lot of beans, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, soy shakes. Boring beyond belief. I was 9 months out of my original surgery (before my re-do) and still couldn't tolerate meat of any type. My surgeon said I may never tolerate them again. I have an appt. with him tomorrow and will ask for a scope, just in case I need to be stretched. In the meantime, my food is boring, and I keep hoping and praying it will get better. In addition, I keep an eye on my blodwork and order vitamins, etc. to supplement what I need. Good luck to you.
   — Esse




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