Almost 3 weeks post op and getting a little worried

MissyG · March 28, 2011

I am worried I am never going to feel normal again. Ia still have a lot of gas issues and was having acid issues so my doctors told me to take my prilosec 2 times a day. I hate Protein shakes so I want to get my Protein from food but I can still only eat maybe 5 bites of anything. I am finally getting almost all my Fluid, I had trouble finding something I could really tolerate but I found ice cold Water with a few drops of lemon juice is really good.

Everytime food is in front of me I am terrified of how it will make me feel. My doc said I could have toast so I tried some cheese toast last night and it made me feel awful, definitely not ready for bread. I also go into fits of dry heaves, not really nausea exactly, but my gag reflex is really high and I think sometimes I dry heave to try to get some of the gas out. I feel like my stomach is "off" almost all the time. Sometimes it is a dull ache sometimes I can't really explain it. I did have bad sinus drainage last week which I felt really set me back because it really upset my stomach.

Sometimes I think the more I don't eat the harder it is when I do. I hate being terrified of food. I just want some semblance of normalcy. Right now I am feeling like a failure.

Tiffykins · March 28, 2011

I hate to say it, but only time is going to help. Your internal wounds still haven't healed completely, and your body is still super pissed off at you. I know we all want to feel better faster, but some of us have extended recoveries while others feel great.

I think if you change your perspective and really think about your body is enduring, maybe you won't feel like a failure. I wasn't even allowed mushies until 4 weeks out, and couldn't even tolerate them well until 6 weeks out then had to stay on them to get my Protein in since solid foods just filled me up so fast.

I know it is draining and exhausting, but believe me, it does get better. I would recommend trying some yogurt, and Probiotics to help with the gas. Everything is just kind of going crazy in there, and it's going to take time. I know it sucks to struggle, believe me I do, but don't give up.

MissyG · March 29, 2011

That is also a problem, I hate yogurt and cottage cheese. I ate broccoli and cheese Soup tonight and I think I ate 6 small spoonfuls before that painful gas bubble hit. It sucks I just wish I could eat without it being painful.

MissyG · March 29, 2011

Last night I had another very painful bout of dry heaving last night. I usually do not have real nausea with it, it just hits me. I woke up with a dull ache in my stomach which has become pretty regular. I don't know if that is hunger or something else.

Can'tweight · March 29, 2011

Man...I sure am sorry you're having such trouble. I wouldn't do broccoli Soup because broccoli produces a lot of gas. Try Gas-X as well. It has helped me. Can you do Tomato, mushroom, cream of chicken Soups? Take it easy and try to stay focused on why you did this. All the great things you will be able to accomplish because you had it done. Oh...if you're nauseous try sucking on a lemon wedge. Hope this passes for you soon!

MissyG · March 30, 2011

Well I think I found part of my problem. I don't think I can tolerate artificial sweetener. About 20 minutes after I had some tea with sweet and low I started dry heaving. As soon as I drank it it stated feeling weird in my stomach. Same thing happens when I drink crystal light. Apple juice and Water with plain lemon does not do that. I was also able to eat a whole piece of shaved deli roast beef. Tonight do not feel nearly as "yucky" as I have the past week.

SParkle · March 30, 2011

Well I think I found part of my problem. I don't think I can tolerate artificial sweetener. About 20 minutes after I had some tea with sweet and low I started dry heaving. As soon as I drank it it stated feeling weird in my stomach. Same thing happens when I drink crystal light. Apple juice and Water with plain lemon does not do that. I was also able to eat a whole piece of shaved deli roast beef. Tonight do not feel nearly as "yucky" as I have the past week.

Hopefully this will help more as you stay off it to test it then.....but I certainly found I was terrified to drink anything more than a tiny tiny sip or 'eat' anything as well.... which I think helped loads with my mindset about food in general. It will get easier but as Tiff says time is the thing now.... stick with it, you're doing great, it will take time for your body to adjust and for your mind to catch up with it, but boy you'll be on cloud 9 when you do!!! Try to ignore the tough bits at the moment, and think of how brave you have been doing this, and set yourself some goals longer term to look forward to. Your emotions will even out and you'll be rockin' that sleeve!