Question:
Will I ever be able to eat again?
At 3 weeks post op, seems all that goes down comfortable are sips of these dreaded protein drinks and I sooooo want to gulp water. All foods are uncomfortable. It's so hard to get all that water and 60 gr. of protein in. Takes me 2 days. Help, anyone? — Georgia H. (posted on June 30, 2002)
June 30, 2002
Please call your surgeon asap. You should be able to eat small amounts and
drink sips without difficulty. You may have a stricture.
— DianeN
June 30, 2002
Georgia, Looks like we're both pretty much STARVING! I am also 3 weeks
post-op and not much sits right in my pouch, either. I've lost 40# so far,
but it has been torturous. have you tried round cheese ravioli and other
softer foods? Lentil soup has been a blessing and I can even have french
onion now and then. I stick to soups and some soft pasta. I would call your
surgeon, b/c it sounds like you're eating less than I am, which is hard to
imagine. Good luck and e-mail me if you want to trade war stories since
we're both 3 weeks out! :)
— Kelly C.
June 30, 2002
Georgia, I believe you will be okay. It's going to take a while. At 8
months post op, I am just now beginning to actually be able to EAT. I
lived on protein shakes, and semi-solid foods but I took advantage of my
window of opportunity and that weight came off. It's not fun, but
unfortunately, part of the process. If it keeps up, you may want to call
your doctor, but I'd say it's still so early in the game, that you'll be
fine. Best only to you.
— Annie H.
June 30, 2002
If pureed is uncomfortable, then you may just have that stricture that the
prev. poster mentioned. You are a prime candidate at 3 weeks out. That is
when they usually occur. I had 2, one at 2 1/2 wks. and the next around
week 4 or 5. It was so great to be able to eat again. I became very weak,
dehydrated. Stay on top of this problem and inform your surgeon of your
difficulty with food.
— Cheri M.
July 1, 2002
Hi Georgia - It can be very discouraging...I call my supper time - the time
to sit and look at the food on my plate. I've discovered all the quirks
that my family has while they eat because what else am I going to look at?
:) I'm about 3-months out and I take a few bites and I'm full - I have been
able to increase the amount of water intake, at one time, to about 3 oz.
and that was exciting...when I'm thirsty, I want to quench my thirst
quickly and not being able to do so has been somewhat discouraging. My
surgeon told me to get in 40 gms. of protein a day - he told me to judge
the amount of protein by my goal weight rather than the weight I was at the
time of surgery so that helped....it's wild how the grams of protein differ
from doc to doc. I've been getting in around 30 - 40 gms. and I'm doing
great with it. The good news is that you'll lose the weight - if I didn't
need the surgery to save my life though - I certainly would have never had
it handled for simple cosmetic reasons. It's a major, major surgery and
transition and the "bad" gets erased quickly by the quick weight
loss so hang in there. It's like going through childbirth...the comfort
levels aren't great - to say the least but the rewards can be really
wonderful. If you can hang on to those thoughts, it will help you get
through the crummy times. It gets better with each passing day, I can at
least give you that bit of positive but it's still a tough
transition...we're being re-trained.
— Lisa J.
July 1, 2002
At nearly a year out I miss those days. Not carying if I ate, no appetite,
full on a few bites. Yes it does get better, or worse depending on how you
look at it. I can now eat a pizza hut personal pan supreme, as a full meal.
— bob-haller
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