Terrified

[candy1980 36]

I was sleeved june 25. I had a dr appt this past monday and id lost 57lbs. My dr and nut expressed concern that i may be developing an eating disorder. I will only eat baked chicken breast, cooked spinach, small pieces of sharp cheddar cheese, and of course my Protein Shakes and Water. I expressed my concern to my dr that I have developed a phobia around trying new foods because im one of the few sleeve patients that actually " dumps". He insisted that my fears are red flags to the onset of a possible eating disorder and that I need to work towards developing a healthy relationship with food. I am seeing my therapist next tuesday because I know that if my husband and kids werent watching me I would just drink my shakes. Im interested in knowing if anyone else conquered irrational food phobias post op? Positive/insightful/ responses welcomed

[Lissa 2,631]

candy, I think the therapist is a GREAT idea! All of us have issues surrounding food or we wouldn't be here. Your pendulum has swung from eating everything to eating nothing. While that allows you to have rapid weight loss, you didn't have surgery so that you could restrict yourself from life. You had surgery to live a happy, healthy, NORMAL life. Correct?

You need to really push yourself to try more foods. You need the nutritional benefits of veggies and your tummy muscle inside the sleeve needs the workout of digesting more than the few foods you've tried so far.

I know a woman who had GB and eats nothing but Protein shakes and Water. She has reached goal, but done major damage to her body. She frequently ends up in the ER with dehydration and malnutrition issues. Her skin looks like an old woman's skin and she's only 42. She has no muscle tone and no endurance for physical activity. It winded her to walk less than a block the last time I saw her...and she kept pleading for me to slow down.

Please work on this issue so that you can have a healthy, happy, rest of your life! (((Hugs)))

[candy1980 36]

Thank you Lissa! I do want to be healthy ((Hugs))

[Back~To~Amy 307]

As always, Lissa's advice is spot on. I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry you are struggling but proud of you for taking steps to deal with your struggles! Best of luck to you!

[candy1980 36]

Thank you! At this very moment im pondering what safe new food I will try.

[TaiDyed 59]

First off, so glad you are taking the initiative to see a therapist. I hope that you will be able to work past this and find a way to incorporate new foods into your diet that will allow you a healthy lifestyle that is rich and fulfilling.

I'm curious to understand what it means to "dump". I know what I've read, but what does it mean when it happens to you? What types of foods have you eaten that have caused this?

I hope you are able to work this out and find a happy medium.

[TinaMari 75]

Did you loose 57lbs since the date of surgery or is that your combined WL throughout the pre & post op process? I haven't developed an eating disorder as stringent as yours but I definitely find myself not wanting to try new foods. I actually have difficulty with chicken depending upon how it's cooked and will often vomit if the food is not soft enough. Althought I don't mind vomitting, I don't want to make it a habit. If you get my drift. I think you can start off with safe foods like fish and what not. Just try foods that are soft and chew slowly. Hopefully this will help you. Take Care~!

[candy1980 36]

Dumping is actually rapid gastric emptying. For me I broke out in a sweat about 10 min after eating egg salad. I theb had vomiting and diarhea at the same time, dizzyness and almost passed out.

[candy1980 36]

Ive lost 57lbs since surgery

[mufasas-mom 170]

have you tried scrambled eggs already? maybe some grilled pork chops or something?? hope you get this solved, and glad you are taking the steps to do such!

[jasleeve 440]

hmmm.. my nurse practioner thinks i may have an eating disorder too & told me to speak to a therapist. my reason is because i had a leak & was terribly ill and because of throwing up over 10x per day, i am terrified to throw up! so whenever i get that throw up sensation, i stop eating & refuse to eat anymore instead of taking it slow & giving myself a chance.

for me, im terrified of another leak or getting sick so i run from being sick. i cant help it.

[TaiDyed 59]

Dumping is actually rapid gastric emptying. For me I broke out in a sweat about 10 min after eating egg salad. I theb had vomiting and diarhea at the same time, dizzyness and almost passed out.

Thank you for this explanation. I completely understand you wanting to avoid this at all costs. I really hope you are able to find a way to incorporate foods other than what you listed in your original post into your diet. Please be kind and patient with yourself and stay positive that you will be able to get past this!! Wishing you strength through this challenging time.

[candy1980 36]

The texture of scrambled eggs is unnerving to me but i did chop a boiled egg over my spinach this morning and enjoyed that quite a bit

[candy1980 36]

@jasleeve.... I only had 2 episodes of being sick I can only imagine what you are going thru.

[mrscastillo 32]

Try baby foods and pedyalite.... It won't help with trying to eat different foods, but at least you will be getting the nutrition you need....

Also, try tuna.... Or canned chicken... It's perfectly cooked and never makes me slime or dump. I have the lapband but I'm getting the sleeve.... I plan to start with the canned stuff and work my way up to cooking it myself (it's cheaper to start with canned food.... Because if you can't eat it, it's not that expensive so you aren't wasting money or too much food!)

Good luck!