Bad stomach cramping- please help!

[wiredlain777 5]

So I had gastric bypass on 5/17. My diet starts pretty much at a puree phase for a week, then moved to soft food. I have experienced no nausea at all, and no stomach issues whatsoever at any part of this - even spicy food, and one time early this week when I had a small piece of chocolate.

Friday I a ground turkey for the first time with a little taco seasoning, and some fat free refried Beans. I was fine that night, but was really gassy.

Saturday morning I woke up with stomach pain and had to "go to the bathroom" several times I to the late afternoon. Yesterday evening my stomach pain got really bad. I took Imodium last night, have been taking both Imodium and gas x since (actually started the gas x on Friday).

It was bad enough to keep me awake most of the night last night. It feels like a really bad menstrual cramp, except covering my entire abdomen.

Ate a little food yesterday, but today I'm just sticking with Water. So my question is this - I am guessing that I didn't tolerate the food I ate on Friday, so how long will this last? Is there anything I can do other than Imodium and gasx to help with my abdominal pain?

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it!

[James Marusek 5,244]

I was on full liquids for the first month after my RNY gastric bypass surgery and then on pureed foods for the next month. It was only in week 9 that I was approved to move onto solid foods. After surgery your stomach needs time to heal properly. You are only 11 days post-op. It is very important to follow the program guidelines.

The three most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight.

Weight loss is achieved after surgery through meal volume control. You begin at 2 ounces (1/4 cup) per meal and gradually over the next year and a half increase the volume to 1 cup per meal. With this minuscule amount of food, it is next to impossible to meet your protein daily requirements by food alone, so therefore you need to rely on supplements such as Protein Shakes.

[wiredlain777 5]

[wiredlain777 5]

I was on full liquids for the first month after my RNY gastric bypass surgery and then on pureed foods for the next month. It was only in week 9 that I was approved to move onto solid foods. After surgery your stomach needs time to heal properly. You are only 11 days post-op. It is very important to follow the program guidelines.
The three most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight.
Weight loss is achieved after surgery through meal volume control. You begin at 2 ounces (1/4 cup) per meal and gradually over the next year and a half increase the volume to 1 cup per meal. With this minuscule amount of food, it is next to impossible to meet your protein daily requirements by food alone, so therefore you need to rely on supplements such as Protein Shakes.< br>

My program starts on pureed, then moved to soft, which includes ground turkey and refried Beans on their approved list on week 2. That's where I'm at now, so I am following my surgical guidelines

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[Berry78 4,259]

I'm glad you are listening to your surgeon's meal plan, but now you can ...take a break... for a bit.

Some surgeons believe they are helping their clients by making a very lenient post op meal plan... but there truly is a reason most patients are on liquids or thin purees for 3 weeks post op. Their tummies simply can't handle coarser food.

My meal plan was fairly typical.

7 days of Clear Liquids (Not even Protein shakes)

7 days of full liquids (thin enough to suck through a straw...started protein shakes)

7 days of thin purees (will pour right off a spoon.. but included pretty much anything that would go in the blender)

7 days of thick purees (like undiluted refried beans)

After the first month, it moved to chewable foods in increasing density.

I followed this plan to the letter, and am now 10 weeks post op, and haven't had a moment's trouble (touch wood). Part of the plan says that if a food is permitted on the plan, but doesn't agree with the patient, to just wait and introduce it later. You can always move through the stages more slowly.. just not more quickly.

Sleeve patients and bypass patients have similar postop needs. They use the same guidelines (in case you were wondering).

Less diet related.. I'd recommend stopping the Imodium. The last thing you want is to become constipated. The pain is there, telling you there is a problem. If it continues, you need to talk to your surgeon, and maybe even head to the hospital if it's really bad. I'm glad you moved back to just Water. Your system needs the rest.

You can try a hot water bottle on the tummy, or some pain medicine if you have any left over from the hospital (just nothing over the counter, particularly not nsaids! Liquid tylenol might be ok.. but really should be cleared with your surgeon).

I hope you feel better soon!

[asantiago 89]

I hope you are feeling better. Please remember that it is so important to stay within your diet as told by your doctor. Getting a upset stomach is no fun. I know for experience. Try to do your best to stick to your diet. Spicy food is not good for your pouch. Best of luck. 😀

[blondie66 271]

From my experience no solid food for 8 weeks. Protein Shakes, cottage cheese, apple sauce...so stomach can heal small and not stretched out. In a few months you'll be able to eat ...food will come no need to rush. I'm very surprised your surgeon would recommend solids such as ground beef after a week. That normally starts maybe after 8 - 12 Weeks and even then very small portions like 2 or 3 mouthfuls. What you experienced was dumping probably cause solids too soon and high in fat. Good luck! It's all part of learning what our new stomach can tolerate!!

[Berry78 4,259]

Are you feeling better?

[Maxthecat 37]

I have had a few problems advancing my diet according to the surgeons plan. He has said if you have trouble advancing, knock it back a week and then try again. Everyone's stomachs heal at different paces. I'm four weeks out and was able to start ground meat this week. I had ground turkey no problem but got very sick on ground beef. I'm going to take a step back and try again at a later date.

[Pam_2-06-2017 375]

I would definitely call and at least talk to your NUT about your reaction. He/she may choose to make changes to your post op diet. Do not take Imodium. All this Protein will constipate you at some point. If you have diarrhea you should definitely call your surgeon's office for advice. I had tummy pains early out but I described them as spasms more than a steady ache. There are things I tried on the approved list that just didn't sit well with me but now at nearly 4 months out I can eat fine. Your sensitivity to your body is very valuable so use your intuition as to whether you feel like it's something wrong. I relied on my intuition throughout my early recovery. Most of my symptoms resolved on there own as I healed.

[wiredlain777 5]

Hey all,

Thanks for all your advice on this! I started feeling better late Sunday and much much better yesterday. I first took it back to Clear Liquids for a day, and then shakes etc the following. Now I'm back to doing my puree diet for a bit and then I'll slowly reintroduce the soft food diet with thing I know set well (canned tuna, etc) and go from there. I have honestly never heard of a post op diet that moves so fast into soft foods and this program I'm on, and I think taking it slow is the best option for me. I also think it's going to be a good while before I try ground meats again!

Thanks again everyone!