aBetterRay

Pork chops were a problem for me at first, but after my dilations, and conscience efforts to slice them thinly and chew sufficiently, I can get thru a portion of pork chop. Scrambled eggs are my nemesis at this time, and I hear that is common...

I feel like Indiana Jones on a search for the Holy Grail of flavor satisfaction. At first, when I found a gem, I would repeat eating it, but would eventually tire of it. I now search for the spark of flavor, then store that info in memory, coming back to that food only periodically. A few of my gems are Progresso Tomato Basil soup, Kippered Seafood Snacks, shrimp w/ cocktail sauce, Hormel tamales, garlic mashed potatoes, and pork chop. Almonds, sunflower seeds, cashews, mixed tropical fruit, LF yogurt, potato salad & cottage cheese are welcome and enjoyed. I love pickles & pepperocillies, but have not attempted them yet. Being Labor Day, I'm BBQing a steak today, making deviled eggs, and preparing some seasoned potato wedges. Portion sizes will be the most disheartening, but I know what my limits are. I will abide by the wisdom of the regemine and celebrate wisely. Have a Great Holiday Weekend...

I hear you all. There are, and have been, plenty of time I wish I had never had the surgery. I LOVED the entire experience of eating. It is all psychological. This continues to weigh on my thoughts, and I feel regret at times. BUT, knowing this about myself, and how easy it would be to cheat by over eating, I now know that I NEED this tool, this procedure, to put the brakes on and force change. After having the surgery, I have taken charge by taking choice out if the equation, the choice to be wreckless with my eating habits. I HAVE to slow down and make myself aware if everything I put in me. The fear of nausea & vomiting is a great eating inhibitor, and the weight loss is a wonderful benefit. And the time it has taken me to heal and adapt to my be stomach has allowed me to slowly change the way I view my wants and needs where food and nutrition is concerned. One of these days I will actually attend a support group and see if that helps. I'm lucky to have the support of family, friends, and this group, to get thru the inconvenient times. Hang in there... This is truly life changing...

Best of luck on your trip. You've done so well, and I'm sure you'll enjoy the caves and hike so much more. We wish we could go with, but we are not ready for a strenuous hike like that. Have a great day, and share some photos later. Say HI to all...

I hear you all. There are, and have been, plenty of time I wish I had never had the surgery. I LOVED the entire experience of eating. It is all psychological. This continues to weigh on my thoughts, and I feel regret at times. BUT, knowing this about myself, and how easy it would be to cheat by over eating, I now know that I NEED this tool, this procedure, to put the brakes on and force change. After having the surgery, I have taken charge by taking choice out if the equation, the choice to be wreckless with my eating habits. I HAVE to slow down and make myself aware if everything I put in me. The fear of nausea & vomiting is a great eating inhibitor, and the weight loss is a wonderful benefit. And the time it has taken me to heal and adapt to my be stomach has allowed me to slowly change the way I view my wants and needs where food and nutrition is concerned. One of these days I will actually attend a support group and see if that helps. I'm lucky to have the support of family, friends, and this group, to get thru the inconvenient times. Hang in there... This is truly life changing...

Once I got to solid foods, I began regularly suffering from nausea & often vomiting. I kept liquids 30 minutes from eating, chewed very well, took my time, and kept new foods seperated. After a nudge from friends, I contacted my surgery team and automatically scheduled me for an endoscopy with possible balloon dilation, suspecting a severe constriction for solid foods to pass thru. Not my first choice, I followed their direction, and sure enough, the passage from my pouch to my intestines was a mere 1.5 mm, about the diameter of a pencil lead. This passage should be around 12-15 mm, or around half an inch. I ended up having three endoscopies, each with a balloon dilation to widen the hole. This took about 5 weeks for all three dilations. The first two times were a week apart to heal, and a return to clear & full liquid diets. After the third dilation, I was able to return to a full solid diet, no specific restrictions, and I'm better than ever. It's been about 3 weeks since the last dilation, and I haven't experienced any further vomiting. The doctors added Prylosec for the next 4 months to reduce stomach acid and to promote healing from the stretching and previous damage from reflux & vomiting. I do get naucious from time to time, but i beleive that is just a part of the reintroduction and testing of foods. Thank You Surgeons for correcting this complication, and putting me back on track Your issues may be of a different nature, but I hope you reach out to those who performed the procedure. Our problems are very common occurrences to them, and they should fix you up. Good luck...

All good advice. Thanks...

Well, my post op instructions say to watch for the back and shoulder pains, as well as stomach and abdominal pains, so the symptoms on WebMD may apply. This would be a perfect opportunity to call your surgeons question line.

I absolutely agree. We each have to find what works for us, and it differs at each stage in the process. Protein any way you can...

WebMD: What are the symptoms? Most people who have gallstones do not have symptoms. If you have symptoms, you most likely will have mild pain in the pit of your stomach or in the upper right part of your belly. Pain may spread to your right upper back or shoulder blade area. Sometimes the pain is more severe. It may be steady, or it may come and go. Or it may get worse when you eat. http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/tc/gallstones-topic-overview

Best of luck with your 9/5 surgery. Golden information waiting here for you. Two words: Shaved Ice. It's a life saver after surgery. Helps with liquid intake, and it's crunchy like eating food. Looking forward to your posts...

Machine Gun Boom Booms Is that a Hostess Snack Cake? Sounds like a PX-90 routine. Do what it takes, but listen to what your body is telling you. Best of luck in your travels...

Happy Belated Birthday!!! Have a slice of Angel Food Tofu Cake for me...

My doctors suggested chewable calcium tablets for my mineral needs. Is there much protein in Oragel?

Scrambled eggs were a nightmare. However, I could handle mashed hard boiled eggs. I loved eggs. As time progresses, I will attempt variations. Time to make a batch of deviled eggs to try. Good luck.