How long before eating gets better?

[Lainey H 37]

I was fine the first week on shakes and liquids but started my soft / pureed stage on post op day 7 and having a tough time. Tried one egg which was ok, 2 oz of cottage cheese not great but not horrible and then 1.5 oz of salmon and felt chest pain and horrible for about 2 hours. Next day cut everything down to 1 oz and that was better. More of the same with some other meals. Some good and some bad. Yesterday was the worst day. I had 3/4 of a scrambled egg and felt fine. Then started a shake 2 hours later and started to feel nauseous. It's actually the first time I felt it since surgery and ended throwing up. I only had about 1-2 oz. The only thing I did differently was change the order b/c I usually have shake first and then food. I was at my daughter's nutcracker rehearsal and was getting stressed so I'm wondering if that played a role. I'm scared to eat today and wondering how long it took for other folks who had trouble initally to be able to eat without feeling horrible afterwards? I'm following all the rules about eating slowly and putting fork down in between. I even get up and do something and come back. I really don't have a full sensation. Usually it' s just a little chest pain which turns worse about 15 min later well after the 30 min I'm told to eat. Can last 1-2 hours. I feel empty inside and hard to get enough Protein and Water when I feel ill. I even got jealous when I saw a girl eating a turkey sandwich at the show - ugh. Also a challenge to plan anything outside the house.

Edited December 11, 2017 by Lainey H

[Positive Outlook 6]

I noticed your surgery date. Hang in there... it's still very early for you, Lainey, and your new stomach is still healing. My surgery date was 11/8/17 and for me, right about last week (at 4 weeks post op), I started seeing an ease with eating things - still with the restriction, but not feeling awful after eating. Different surgeons have different post-op programs, but I will say my surgeons program post op (although it was tough) actually helped ensure my stomach was ready to take on progressively thicker foods over a 4 week period. Week 1 (clear liquid diet), week 2 (true liquids like Protein Shakes, yogurt, etc), Week 3 (pureed to soft diet (eggs, tuna , soft meats, etc.)) and Week 4 (add 1 new food at a time). Nevertheless, I had similar reactions you did during my week 3 (when I first started eating soft foods like egg and soft meats) and I too also became scared to eat. It's all in the process I think. Just remember you (we ) November sleevers are still healing.

Edited December 11, 2017 by Positive Outlook

[DropWt4Life 957]

I agree with Positive Outlook. I would scale back on the fish and other meats for a week or two, and slowly re-introduce them back one by one. I wasn't allowed to eat eggs or flaky fish until after week four. I actually had an eight stage eating plan. I never felt sick or nauseous on the plan.

Welcome to the loser's club!

[Freeb 25]

Im 7 years out and still have problems eating its day by day....im ok with it cause it makes me aware of the food im putting inside me..gastric and size 5 works for me...good luck

[LittleLizzieLilliput 919]

I think you are on solids WAY too soon. My doc had me on liquid for the 1st 14 days and his rule was always this "If you have discomfort or issues, go back to the previous stage for 24 hours and then try again.

Your new tummy just might not be past the New Born stage yet. When your baby needed to move from milk to solids it was touch and go, same with us. And if you are experiencing this kind of discomfort, put away the solids for 24 hours. It's OK to go slowly. This isn't a race. You are doing amazing!!!! Hang in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lainey H 37]

Thanks for your input. I know my plan is more aggressive than most and I have to trust it somewhat but also need to listen to my body. Fortunately, I had a much better day today and going to hold off on eggs and give it a shot next week. Also wait a few more days for dense Protein. Did cottage cheese. Retried Beans with cheese which tasted amazing.

[Mhy12784 423]

I tried lean ground beef today at exactly 4 weeks (I noticed it was on my plan for good to go as of today so why not)

I totally overcooked it and the meat was a much leaner cut than I should have gotten. As a result it felt kind of tough to chew, and I dont think it was getting down to an "applesauce consistency" so I kept spitting it out. I did actually consume some, but I definitely dont think im ready to commit to tougher textures. Ill try some fish tomorrow and if that doesnt work im just sticking with Protein Shakes and scrambled eggs for a few weeks

i definitely find myself afraid of taking risk when it comes to eating, theres no question about that.

Edited December 12, 2017 by Mhy12784

[LittleLizzieLilliput 919]

12 hours ago, Mhy12784 said:

I tried lean ground beef today at exactly 4 weeks (I noticed it was on my plan for good to go as of today so why not)

I totally overcooked it and the meat was a much leaner cut than I should have gotten. As a result it felt kind of tough to chew, and I dont think it was getting down to an "applesauce consistency" so I kept spitting it out. I did actually consume some, but I definitely dont think im ready to commit to tougher textures. Ill try some fish tomorrow and if that doesnt work im just sticking with Protein Shakes and scrambled eggs for a few weeks

i definitely find myself afraid of taking risk when it comes to eating, theres no question about that.

I can’t eat beef, I’m 14 months out and I still can’t eat beef. I believe I’ll never be able to eat beef or I’ll have to give it a couple more years. It’s still way too dense. I eat mostly chicken and pork. Also shrimp and fish go down like a breeze. I can eat some nuts but not all nuts, believe it or not I can eat almonds but Walnuts give me problems. Which I think is hilarious. Somethings don’t ever get better, I can’t eat rich cheeses very well. I don’t know if that’s cause my stomach or my lack of a gallbladder now. Who knows

Edited December 12, 2017 by LittleLizzieLilliput

[krys1386 7]

On 12/11/2017 at 11:45 AM, Positive Outlook said:

I noticed your surgery date. Hang in there... it's still very early for you, Lainey, and your new stomach is still healing. My surgery date was 11/8/17 and for me, right about last week (at 4 weeks post op), I started seeing an ease with eating things - still with the restriction, but not feeling awful after eating. Different surgeons have different post-op programs, but I will say my surgeons program post op (although it was tough) actually helped ensure my stomach was ready to take on progressively thicker foods over a 4 week period. Week 1 (clear liquid diet), week 2 (true liquids like Protein Shakes, yogurt, etc), Week 3 (pureed to soft diet (eggs, tuna , soft meats, etc.)) and Week 4 (add 1 new food at a time). Nevertheless, I had similar reactions you did during my week 3 (when I first started eating soft foods like egg and soft meats) and I too also became scared to eat. It's all in the process I think. Just remember you (we ) November sleevers are still healing.

I found this very helpful. I am 2 days post op and having trouble getting fluids in. My plan had me starting on full liquids today and then progressing to pureed in 2 weeks. However, I had my first "real food" today - 2 ounces of chicken broth. It was glorious, but it has been sitting in my stomach like a brick. I've been a little freaked out about trying thicker foods and Protein Shakes right now, so I think I'm going to keep myself on Clear Liquids for this first week and try full liquids next week. Baby steps!

[Mhy12784 423]

Im almost 5 weeks out, and ive hated eating until today. I never had real problems (vomiting, severe pain etc) but eating was always awkward, slightly uncomfortable and always unenjoyable. Today I tried baking some fish (in an air fryer) with a tiny bit of almond meal on it (cant be too boring) and it was amazing. It was basically all Protein, tasted like real food, and being that its fish it was so soft and tender that it gave me absolutely no problems chewing/swallowing and still had some texture to it. Was so good I even had the leftovers for dinner. I think this totally going to be my new favorite my go to food until im comfortable eating tougher foods (like beef and chicken)

Now if only I could find fresh fish for less than 20$ a pound... Thank god a pound is like 5 meals for me though

[newsleevedme79 5]

Hey that's amazing sounds like a nice healthy meal. I'm 4 weeks out I haven't had problems eating anything which kind of worries me to a point but I need to reign in the picking at food

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[BridgetteG 22]

I had surgery on 10/10/17 and I can eat anything I want. My situation is a little different because I developed a rare bacterial abscess between my stomach and heart, and when they found it (10 days postop) it was the size of my fist. Long story short, 5 surgeries in 42 days, no food, shakes, etc. I was on IVs; so my stomach was left alone to just heal. I think thats why I havent had problems with eating anyrhing.

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[over_and_over_again 21]

I think the advice to revert to the previous stage is great. I'm on purees, but have been experimenting with soft meats because I was tolerating everything with ease. i guess I went too fast; my tummy hasn't been feeling right for the past day. This morning I went back to full liquids in the form of a Protein Shake, and I feel right again. Baby steps!!