Uncomfortable stomach (post-gastric sleeve surgery)

[Penguin733 14]

So I did my surgery on July 11th, and I'm currently on my puree stage and I've been doing Soups, mashed potatoes, and yogurt outside of my liquids, but I've been getting some mild discomfort when eating. Not really sure if it's normal; like it feels like an empty stomach cramp but goes away after a time, but doesn't happen when I drink my fluids. Am I eating too fast? Or is it something else? Will this inhibit me from moving forward to soft foods?

[Arabesque 7,604]

It could be from eating too quickly but it could also be that some foods just seem to sit more heavily too (potatoes, bread, rice & Pasta still do for me) & make you feel uncomfortable. Check your portion sizes too. Not necessarily that you may be eating too much but more that it’s too much for your healing tummy to manage at the moment - we all heal differently & can mange/tolerate different foods & portions. Try smaller portions & try some different purée options. Sometimes we just have to be more tentative in our choices &/or go a little more slowly through the stages.

[Penguin733 14]

15 minutes ago, Arabesque said:

It could be from eating too quickly but it could also be that some foods just seem to sit more heavily too (potatoes, bread, rice & Pasta still do for me) & make you feel uncomfortable. Check your portion sizes too. Not necessarily that you may be eating too much but more that it’s too much for your healing tummy to manage at the moment - we all heal differently & can mange/tolerate different foods & portions. Try smaller portions & try some different purée options. Sometimes we just have to be more tentative in our choices &/or go a little more slowly through the stages.

Yeah, it's honestly getting to the point where it's making me feel nauseous after I eat. And I would think the portions are fine when I'm eating just a single serving of yogurt and one Protein Shake at a time (both separately), but I'm trying my absolute best in having my required amount of Water and Protein, but this has been inhibiting me from doing so. Like I can only do 55g of protein at most out of the recommended 80-90g.

And I am going back to work tomorrow and I want to make sure I'm ready and have enough energy as I have very much on my feet walking a lot job, and because of this issue it is also stopping me from having my complete water/hydration amount to the point where I still get lightheaded if I get up too fast and the only way to stop it is drink more water which I can't do because I keep hitting that wall! It's so frustrating!!

Edited August 5, 2023 by Penguin733

[Arabesque 7,604]

Try adding in an electrolyte drink to your fluids to give you an energy boost. Low blood pressure (postural hypotension) causes the dizziness on standing. It usually passes as you start eating more (I have it all the time but I always tended to low BP so nothing new for me). Make getting up slowly a habit & wait before moving. If my vision starts to narrow I reach for something solid like a table, chair, walk (or person), to ground me for those few seconds. I also bend over so my head is lower or equal to my heart until everything starts to right itself again.

As an example of what I meant by the portion not being right for you at this time: I used to take hours to drink a Protein Shake. I’d dilute it (double the water) to make it more palatable & easier to drink. But there was no way I could drink one as a 20-30 min ‘meal’. I still take up to an hour to eat a tub of yoghurt & then sometimes can’t eat the whole tub because it can suit a little heavy or I just don’t want more. Try making the yoghurt into a yoghurt drink by blending it with milk (extra Protein bonus) & sip it for ages too. Both count towards your fluid goals as well as protein.

Meeting your protein goal gets easier as you progress & are able to eat a little more & a little more easily.