Difficulty eating

[Taja 9]

I will be 5 weeks post-op tomorrow, and I am supposed to be adding a greater variety of foods to my diet, and eventually, increasing my calories. I am finding that it is becoming more and more difficult to eat. I eat either yogurt or cottage cheese for Breakfast (1.5 ounces), and then something either mid afternoon or very early evening - again, 1.5 ounces. If I take even one additional bite, I have 2-3 hours of nausea. I do have my Protein Drinks, but I don't think I'm getting more than about 500 calories a day. My weight has also been stalled for two weeks. Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions will be gratefully received. Thanks so much.

[Losingit2018 1,170]

I am 6 weeks post op and experiencing the same thing. I saw my dr a few days ago and was told that as long as I get my Protein and fluids in, I am doing fine.
they said that some people take a little longer for the swelling to go down so there is no concern at this point.

you most likely are experiencing the dreaded 3 week stall. Stick to your program and it will break.

hang in there!

[catwoman7 10,843]

1 hour ago, Taja said:

I will be 5 weeks post-op tomorrow, and I am supposed to be adding a greater variety of foods to my diet, and eventually, increasing my calories. I am finding that it is becoming more and more difficult to eat. I eat either yogurt or cottage cheese for Breakfast (1.5 ounces), and then something either mid afternoon or very early evening - again, 1.5 ounces. If I take even one additional bite, I have 2-3 hours of nausea. I do have my Protein Drinks, but I don't think I'm getting more than about 500 calories a day. My weight has also been stalled for two weeks. Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions will be gratefully received. Thanks so much.

I'd run this by your clinic. If you're nauseated every time you eat, you could be developing a stricture. You're in the right time frame for it.

[Losingit2018 1,170]

2 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

I'd run this by your clinic. If you're nauseated every time you eat, you could be developing a stricture. You're in the right time frame for it.

Good point. Pretty sure she said she gets nauseated if she takes even one additional bite though. It is the same for me if I eat even a smidgeon over what I can hold. Totally normal stuff.

[Taja 9]

Thank you so much for your thoughts. It is reassuring to know that it happens to others, as well. I keep forgetting about the leftover swelling from the surgery; that's a good point.

The three-week stall - yikes! I'll be glad when that part is behind me!!

[JTSC 50]

I’m having same stall same timeframe. I don’t really want anything besides my shakes. I feel like it’s a chore to try some “soft” options but I do it anyway.

[Taja 9]

JTSC - Are you finding that it is almost physically impossible to eat at times?

[JTSC 50]

Not really physically impossible. Just don’t feel like it or if I do I feel an uncOmfortable feeling and have to lay down. I’ve thrown up several times because of it. I think it’s because I’m not chewing enough, eating too fast, or the specific food. It kind of varies. I can eat a little chicken one day and then feel sick the next.

So mine is really an after effect If you can’t physically eat that might be something else than my experience.

[catwoman7 10,843]

8 hours ago, Losingit2018 said:

Good point. Pretty sure she said she gets nauseated if she takes even one additional bite though. It is the same for me if I eat even a smidgeon over what I can hold. Totally normal stuff.

thanks - I missed that part of it!

[GradyCat 3,692]

Not sure about the nausea, but the Week 3 and Week 4 stall is VERY common. 500 calories/day is fine. You can live on that.

[Taja 9]

Thank you - everyone's responses help a lot. 🙂

[Tonya VSG Post-op 11]

It’s week 5 for me, and I’m having the same problems: can eat very little one day, feel slightly nauseated, but it subsides. Then some days feel great, but still eat vey little. I find it difficult to drink Water it makes my stomach feel empty, only Protein Shakes, yogurt, smooth cool foods are soothing to eat. I find very little delight in eating, even when it’s food I enjoy. I can stomach soups: pea, lentil, chicken, but no more than 4oz at a time. It’s a struggle.

Edited April 12, 2020 by tallen1158