So last night a group of us went to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. As we were waiting for our meals, we were eating salsa and chips. The salsa was extremely spicy - we're talking NUCLEAR hot here. We asked the waitress to bring us something less spicy, which she did. I do enjoy spicy food, but there's a point where enough is enough.

So I'm the only potential sleever in the group, and I got to thinking about whether there are any sleever issues with eating spicy food. Am I going to be able to enjoy what I like (in moderation, of course) or am I facing a life without spicy food? What will the future bring for me?

Dave

Dave, there is nothing I love more than some spicy hot chicken wings. I also love spicy chili, etc., and have no problems with any of them at all. Enjoy!

I've started eating moderately spicy food, I haven't been told not too, it's done no harm yet, I'm gonna ask my surgeon on thursday though, let's see what he says

For me, the spicier the better. I found this to be a huge help during that stage where food was simply unappealing. The more spice I used, the happier I was to actually eat. Of course, not all sleevesters experience that boredom, complete loss of appetite, nothing sounds or tastes good that I went through, but without curry, ginger, and tons of ground red pepper, I'm fairly sure I would have never eaten.

I can eat super spicy Thai food without issue. Other spicy foods I enjoy are chilis, Soups, enchiladas, salsa, I even like a spicy ranch on my pizza occasionally. There's only been a couple of occasions post-op that spicy food irritated my stomach, and I honestly think it was more to do with me overdoing the portion than the actual spiciness of the food. It was a quesadilla loaded with fresh unseeded jalapenos, and this super spicy chipotle ranch sauce that I used for a dipping sauce. I stretched that meal out over an entire hour just so I could eat more. So far so good on everything else spicy! ! !

I had some spicy curries last week and felt some discomfort. Not sharp somatic pain, just dull visceral crampy pain. Maybe it was too early (6th week).

I love to eat spicy and have no issues eating it at all.

Whew, thanks! I was worried. This guy does like his salsa... :001_tongue:

Dave

The first meal I ate out after surgery was at a Mexican Restaurant, I had a spicy chicken Soup. I ate mostly the broth and some of the softer pieces of chicken and veg. My surgeon didn't have a problem with it...he was actually at lunch with us! Of course, he also didn't think it was that spicy.

I've found that since surgery the foods that sound the most appetizing to me are savory/spicy options. The sweet stuff is no longer appealing. I never really "crave" anything and have to remind myself to eat most days. I have a love/hate relationship with my lack of hunger. During the week it is fine, I'm in the office, I have a schedule, so I eat when I'm supposed to. On the weekend, my schedule is more relaxed/non-existent, so I often forget to eat and find myself scrambling to get my Protein in. But, I digress...

My current favorite meals are scrambled eggs with a little cheese and tomatilla salsa and thin sliced turkey spread with a laughing cow cheese wedge and rolled up with some spicy red salsa.

When my forehead sweats, it's spicy enough! :mad:

Edited September 24, 201015 yr by NtvTxn

Hi, I think my surgeon wants me to wait six months before I try anything very spicy.

Nancy

Spicy is my love affair too. For the first four months the foods I adored where incredibly spicy to me, not just once they hit my stomach but even in my mouth. I don't understand the phenomenon of peoples tastes changing, but as time progresses the spicier I can enjoy!

Anna

Hey Tiff,

I agree. And without the GERD symptoms after losing my preop weight, I find that I really can enjoy the nuclear stuff again. I couldn't have gotten thru full liqs and mushies without the spice rack. I'm with you there. And right now we've gone thru the HATCH green chile season. I didn't buy my usual 30# for roasting this year, only 3. But they were so good in my scrambled eggs!

I too was worried that with a tiny stomach, I wouldn't be able to tolerate the capsacin from peppers, but so far so good. I think a big key is not to eat hot stuff too close to bed time and you should be ok. You wouldn't want that stuff to come up with reflux.

GG

For me, the spicier the better. I found this to be a huge help during that stage where food was simply unappealing. The more spice I used, the happier I was to actually eat. Of course, not all sleevesters experience that boredom, complete loss of appetite, nothing sounds or tastes good that I went through, but without curry, ginger, and tons of ground red pepper, I'm fairly sure I would have never eaten.

I can eat super spicy Thai food without issue. Other spicy foods I enjoy are chilis, Soups, enchiladas, salsa, I even like a spicy ranch on my pizza occasionally. There's only been a couple of occasions post-op that spicy food irritated my stomach, and I honestly think it was more to do with me overdoing the portion than the actual spiciness of the food. It was a quesadilla loaded with fresh unseeded jalapenos, and this super spicy chipotle ranch sauce that I used for a dipping sauce. I stretched that meal out over an entire hour just so I could eat more. So far so good on everything else spicy! ! !

Soooo glad to hear this! I love me some chili pepper.

I was told to wait until everything was healed, like my nutrtionist said there is and open wound in there. would you want to get hot peppers on a cut on your hand.....of coarse I tried my luck with homemade chili when I was put on mushies ....and paid for it, too spicy too soon I guess. Tried Wendy's chili the other day and its all good now....GUess you just have to seee what sits well for you

I'm tolerating spicy foods just fine overall. I've never been one to eat anything with the words "nuclear" or "suicide" in the name but I do like a little kick now and then. I regularly eat medium hot buffalo wings and sometimes put hot sauce on stuff. I found a great spicy chicken enchillada Soup at a local restaurant and get that every couple of weeks.

The only catch for me is that postop I tend to notice it more in my stomach as opposed to in my mouth, the way it was preop. Sometimes it hits a little heavy and burns in the stomach after eating something spicy. I'm not sure if it's because I'm having more acid issues postop than I ever had or if my stomach is still adjusting.

I was having some spicy foods...while I was trying to quit my Nexium, but was still getting a lot of acid. We went away for 12 days and as it happened I laid off the spice, and surprise, no acid.... I've not had any spice since, and only very mild issues with acid and only taken Nexium once since.

I might try it again and see if it reoccurs.... as I love medium spiced things.... so I do hope its not going to erupt again as a result.... but then I'd rather lay off the spice than have the acid issues!