Suppose to be on stage 4, stuck in Stage 2

[Tracilyn G. 0]

I am having such a hard time getting to stage 4, regular foods no starches. My gastric bypass surgery was Jan 28th of this year. I’ve been mostly on purée foods, some exceptions in certain foods but the most concerning thing is my new stomach hates meat! I am definitely not meeting my Protein goals. Protein Shakes are hard too. They did a X-ray with the barium and said everything looked fine other than really bad acid reflux. I’m taking little sips, bites and not drinking before or after meals in the time limits. So far I regret the surgery even though I’ve lost 50lbs. Seems I’m always vomiting, in pain or so fatigue to where I feel like I’m gonna have a seizure. It gets easier right?

[Starwarsandcupcakes 1,897]

It does get easier. Protein from meat can be a funny thing. Some days are amazing getting it in and others I stick to things like tofu, cottage cheese, yogurt and protein Soups when shakes seem too sweet. Just do the best you can for now.
Does your surgeon have you on an acid reducer? If not that might be an option in helping you feel better. However if you’re on one, see about lowering the dose to see if that helps relieve symptoms as gastric bypass can cause acid reflux due to low stomach acid.

[catwoman7 10,867]

many surgeons put their WLS patients on a PPI (like omeprazole or pantoprazole) for the first 3-6 months after surgery. Are you on one?

[The Greater Fool 1,952]

It gets easier.

I had a rough time transitioning to food. Learning to eat, the mechanics of it, can be difficult. Small bites, chew extra thoroughly, time between. I found that during this process I had to really focus on what I was doing. Having had so many issues initially, stress about eating made things worse. For me, stress is a killer.

So, focus. Try no distractions, no talking, just you and your food. Change anything you think will help. Start small, build success, then increase little by little. Relax. It's ok to fail. It can really be more about your head than your pouch.

You can even play with the puree. Gradually move through finely chopped to smallish pieces to bite size, and before you know you'll be there.

Trust yourself. If you feel that one more bite will be a problem, don't take it, at least until you feel you are ready. Each meal you are just working to get that one more bit of food until you are at your appropriate meal size.

Eventually your pouch and you will come to an understanding.

Tek

[Tracilyn G. 0]

I am on an acid reducer. Have been since surgery. 20mg of Prilosec. They said if it doesn’t get better in 3 months we will go from there.

[CapK 80]

Hope your Protein intake gets easier soon! I couldn't do Protein Shakes and had a lot of nausea with meat for a while. At one point I was surviving on sugar free Jello, greek yogurt and Fairlife (high protein) milk. If you can't handle meat, back off of it and get protein other places for a bit. Then try again when you are a bit further out.

[skyewolfe 92]

It gets better. I had an extremely rough recovery too. Constantly being put back on liquid or soft foods because my tummy would suddenly say “nope! Not doing the solid thing any more!”. I had multiple strictures as well so that was fun. Don’t worry, just keep doing what you’re doing and don’t rush it. Some of us take longer. And the regret is normal. I regret the surgery. Not because I miss food (I don’t. In fact having to stop and eat depresses me now). I just get depressed from the complications

[OldVol74 11]

I did fine with Protein Shakes pre surgery, but post-op, yuck. Can't tolerate them. A friend put me onto GENEPRO Protein Powder. It is tasteless and you can mix it in anything you can tolearte to drink. My friend uses coffee but since I'm 4 years caffeine free, I mix mine in diluted fruit juice like cran/pomegranate or grape juice. One scoop delivers 30 grams of Protein and it will be worth the cost for sure if it works for you.

[Monica.3.31.21 0]

Just joined and I am so glad I found this topic. It sounds like exactly what's been going on with me. Which is comforting to know that I'm not alone. My doctor also prescribed Nexium and Sucralfate to help with the issue. Also waiting on results from a ct scan. I have thrown up every single day since last week. Barely getting fluids in. Dehydrated. Depressed. I'm afraid to move to solid foods so I've been sticking to pureed/soft foods. That's when I can eat anything. I did discover this week that drinking Water out of a cup/glass with ice works a lot better for me than drinking from a bottle. I had surgery March 31st and I feel like I have had issues ever since but everyone I've spoken to swears it will get better.

[catwoman7 10,867]

16 minutes ago, Monica.3.31.21 said:

Just joined and I am so glad I found this topic. It sounds like exactly what's been going on with me. Which is comforting to know that I'm not alone. My doctor also prescribed Nexium and Sucralfate to help with the issue. Also waiting on results from a ct scan. I have thrown up every single day since last week. Barely getting fluids in. Dehydrated. Depressed. I'm afraid to move to solid foods so I've been sticking to pureed/soft foods. That's when I can eat anything. I did discover this week that drinking Water out of a cup/glass with ice works a lot better for me than drinking from a bottle. I had surgery March 31st and I feel like I have had issues ever since but everyone I've spoken to swears it will get better.

did you get RNY or VSG? If the former, I wonder if it could be a stricture - you're in the right time frame for it. Although I'm sure the doctor would have thought of that..

[Monica.3.31.21 0]

@catwoman7 I had the RNY

[catwoman7 10,867]

1 minute ago, Monica.3.31.21 said:

@catwoman7 I had the RNY

they usually do an upper endoscopy to check for strictures - but maybe there are other ways of seeing them (maybe on the CT scan you had? I'm not sure - but again, I'm sure that possibility must have occurred to them as well)

[Monica.3.31.21 0]

Thank you. I'll keep following up with him.