Afraid to eat.

[Happy with two 17]

Right I know some of you will say.... would she ever relax but......

Im 4 weeks past op yesterday. I was doing really well on my soft diet but the last few days every time i eat it hurts. I'm chewing etc eating slow but every bite is hurting too the point I'm afraid to eat now. Even taking my meds is off putting.

For lunch today i had mash potato and salmon all lovely and soft but only way i got round it was to take a teeny weeny sip of milk so it'd go down.

Please don't slate me for sipping. I'm after advice not a berating!

Anyone else have ups and downs like this. I was doing so well. (Still am) would Water intake have an effect? If i wasnt meeting that goal?

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[Sigh 194]

I too have felt like i needed a tiny sip of Water, so no judgement. I am five weeks out. I know every plan is different, but my doctor advised going back to liquids if there is any pain eating and try again in a few days. It may be your body saying “im not ready”. No shame in that, just proceed slowly as you are comfortable.

[Lisa XO 117]

I have to have my foods with some kind of sauce in order for them to go down well. I would try adding sauces to make things more moist. This might help some. That being said, it did take me longer than my plan dictated to move from one texture food to another, so I agree with Sigh that you could also go back a stage for another few days/week to see if that helps your progress.

Edit to add: my favorite sauce is a pan gravy where I use a broth or stock to deglaze and just pour that over what I eat.

Edited April 8, 2023 by Lisa XO

[summerseeker 1,923]

I had so much trouble with salmon, so much so that I have really stopped eating it and before the surgery it was my favourite food after noodles. I can eat smoked salmon but I hate the taste now. Potatoes are also still off my menu, I got the foamies last night after trying them again for supper.

Try foods with sauce like bolognaise, chilli, braised meat and veg. If you need something softer - try chunky Soups, soft scrambled eggs, ricotta bake, crust less quiche or chicken thighs lightly cooked in Pho or broth with a few veggies. Do not be afraid of eating, just go back a step, be patient with your toddler tummy. We are not all the same and you are very early in your journey

PS My team said it was ok to have tiny sips of drinks [ they said Hot Drinks were best]

PPS You wont get slated in here, we have all 'broke the rules' because every team has a different idea on any given subject

[Smanky 743]

It took me months to be able to eat "normally". Combo of zero appetite, my paranoia of hurting my stomach and new intestine join, and strong restriction. Everyone's post-op experience is subtly different, and some cases, wildly different dependent on the type of surgery, your body, your pain tolerance and heal rate etc etc. There's no "right way", other than sticking to the plan your team gives you. Beyond that you just have to do your best.

So don't worry, don't beat yourself up. I've always had sips of Water with meals and don't care. Nothing's broken and I'm doing fine. Things will get easier and you'll settle into the new routine in time.

[Roxane 8]

Don't be so hard on yourself. You are doing great. All of these ladies have great advice for you. Everyone is different. You are doing your best! You ladies are lovely!

[Arabesque 6,681]

Some foods just don’t sit well for a while (or for the long term - for me it’s still Pasta, rice, bread, quinoa, potatoes, etc. as they just sit heavily & fill me quickly.). Your tummy is still healing & still sensitive (fussy like a two year old). There will be foods you’ll tolerate one day & not the next. It may take a couple months for this to settle occurring less & less frequently.

If a little sip of a Fluid helped, I’d think as others have, that what you ate wasn’t moist enough. Even though your on soft foods they still need to be moist. Think stews, braises, slow cooked dishes, etc. I ate a lot of mince dishes with gravies in that stage. And yes, you may need to take it a little more slowly as you introduce soft foods back into your diet.

We all heal differently and what you’re experiencing is not uncommon. It’s okay to be concerned - everything you’re experiencing is very different & new to you. Better to ask questions than sit & worry something is wrong.

[Happy with two 17]

Thanks so much everyone.
I keep going back over what you've said to make it sink in, "i am doing OK!"
Appreciate your kindness and advice


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