Post-op Diet - Mashables Not Sitting Well

[keyka07 0]

It's been 17 days since my VSG, my doc and nutristionist want me to start on mashables, they said eventually I need to stop relying on Protein shakes so much and get my Protein from meals. The problem right now is that nothing except liquid feels good going down. Maybe it is because I've been on a liquid diet for over a month now but I can't seem to digest solid food easily.

I started with part of a scrambled egg mixed with Water and could barely swallow half of it. Today I attempted a couple small spoonfulls of refried Beans but that didn't go well either. I'm donig everything by the books: chewing thoroughly, taking small bites, making sure liquids have been 1/2 hour before and after food, but it's not working.

When the food his my stomach I have pain and feel very uncomfortable, luckly I haven't been throwing up but it comes very close and the thought of trying to eat just makes me cringe at the pain I know I'll receive. I wonder if it really is so bad to just stick with the liquids for a while longer.... or forever

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how long did it take before it passed?

[Lissa 2,631]

I think you just have to take it slowly and eat what you can handle. Truthfully, it's hard mentally to work up to the next step. My book from my doc actually says that if a food causes issues like sliming or vomiting, to go back a step and try again in a day or two.

You may not be physically ready to move to mushies yet. Give yourself a few days then try again. If you still can't handle mushies in a week, then you may need to be concerned.

There is a head issue to eating after surgery, so your mind may not be ready to move forward. Again, if you aren't getting there in another week, it may be time for more serious help. I talk to a therapist to help insure I don't end up with food issues. You may want to look into that if this reluctance to eat continues more than another week.

It is hard to move forward, though, especially if the next step hurts.

Good luck and keep us posted, please.

Lissa

[Lissa 2,631]

Oh and yes it is bad to stick with liquids forever. You will end up malnourished and dehydrated. There is a reason our docs and nuts want us to work up to getting our Protein from real food.

I can cite an IRL example of someone who only drinks Protein shakes post op three years and has both malnourishment and dehydration issues. She spends a week in the hospital about every three months.

Lissa

[happy1957 138]

Thank you Lissa for your post, I am only 10 days post op but look forward to eating real food on Wed. Fortunately for me, my Dr and nut skip the mushy stage and go to soft foods. I also have seen the process having a sister who had this done 4 months ago. Her experiences should help me, hopefully. She used to eat way to fast and be both in pain and regurgitate . She now has things under control. I have also seen many good suggestions in here such as yours. :-)

[jewelwithin 13]

I think Lissa hit it on the nose. If it's not working, back off for a bit and try again. I've been kind of looking at this like my pregnancies. It seemed like everyone had their "prescription" for just about every stage -- what to eat/not eat if you have morning sickness or can't sleep or get heartburn, etc. In the end I think you take the best advice but above all else listen to what your body is telling you. If it's not ready for something, it's not ready. Everyone is different. And as Lissa suggests, if it persists too much longer, then check in again with your doc.

[keyka07 0]

Thanks so much, I think I was just so excited to move on to real food that I thought it had to be immediate. I'll hold off and try again later. It might be that I'm taking a little longer to heal.

[Roseib 13]

You might try chicken or turkey baby food. Totally bland. Needs seasoning. I could not tolerate eggs until several months out. Everyone is different though. Probably should ask your doctor about your eating pain.

[jenniferb 1]

How are things going now Keyka? I'm curious because I am almost 3 weeks post op now, and am experiencing the same issues. I threw up tonight because it felt like the food stuck right in the base of my throat. Uggh!

[amencorner 2]

OMG! I just posted a blog entry about this. Today is day 8 post op, but my nut told me I could start "soft foods" this week -- yogurt, cottage cheese, creamed Soups. I was so eager to try, but find that it is very uncomfortable and unpleasant going down. After 2-3 bites, I've had to stop because it just wasn't worth it.

I am going back to Protein shakes now. And hoping that will be okay because last week they gave me so much gas I had to stop drinking those.

I read somewhere that if you experience an intolerance with something to give it a week or so and try again. Looks like that might be working with the Protein Shakes and thank God since it seems I can't consume the soft foods.

It's all very frustrating, but I'm trying to stay focused on the end goal and not let these discomforts discourage me from my goals. But aaargh!!!