written March 9th Almost one month post op Gastric bypass...lbs down and experiences stuck food and med scare

I weigh 183 now. So I have lost 20 pounds in one month since surgery. I'm down from a size 18 to a 13! I can't believe it has been a month already. I was able to get 1/2 cup in early on in the soft food stage but now I am barely able to get 1/3 in. I drink two high protein shakes a day and eat once or twice. I love the light babybell cheese for a snack or meal...and the P3 protein snacks are a favorite though I can't usually eat the whole thing. My second day on meats I made a roll up with deli chicken breast and egg and didn't chew well enough. The food got stuck and it was absolutely horrible. I tried papaya enzyme and it didn't work...I stood over the toilet for an hour afraid to throw up because I didn't want to hurt any stitches in my belly but it was a nightmare. I kept spitting out saliva that made it's way up every thirty seconds. Finally, I gave in and threw up foam. It was weird. But I wasn't finished, I still felt like a boulder was lodged in my chest. If you've ever gotten a lump of bread stuck in your throat imagine that times 50. I finally threw the rest up and felt better. If that happens again I won't hesitate, I will be sick right away.That hour standing over the toilet hurt my back as well as my stomach. My pouch was tender after retching but felt better the next day. I never want to feel that way again! I am trying to not be afraid to eat non soft foods now so I am easing into it. I have no appetite really but if my pouch gets empty it hurts so I know its time to eat. I tried coffee the first time yesterday and it was delicious! Taking it easy on that I just wanted a taste. Also, I have a head cold. I called the pharamacy and the pharmacist told me I could take any cold medicine I wanted to.. A nagging feeling told me to get a second opinion so I called another pharmacist. I wanted to take phenylephrine for sinus pressure and wanted to know if that was ok for gastric bypass almost a month post op. He told me he didn't recommend it because it can cause a spike in the blood pressure so sudden it could cause rupturing...even with my low blood pressure of 94/62. He recommended no cold medicine...only saline nasal spray. So I suffer. But at least I'm alive to suffer. Really greatful for that voice that told me to get a second opinion.