Question for long-timers

[terry1118 1,274]

I'm 3 1/2 months out. I still can't eat much and still can't tolerate many things. I'm dealing with it okay and I'm not complaining. So far I'm doing great. On occasion I lose my lunch but it's not too often. But I'm curious. Will I ever be able to tolerate all foods? Or will I always have trouble with certain things? I'm still not able to eat more than 1/3 to 1/2 cup of Soup and soup-like things (like chili) and solid foods even less. Sometimes I can eat a whole yogurt, sometimes not. Veggies are still impossible because there's no room for extras after my Protein. Once in a while I opt for a veggie meal and later have a Protein shake to make up for it. Carby things (healthy carbs) like brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal, whole grain breads and pastas - I haven't even tried these. If there's no room for veggies there's certainly no room for healthy carbs, either. How long before I can eat anything remotely resembling a balanced meal? (Protein, veggie, carb)

As I mentioned, I'm not complaining. I'm content enough to continue on the way I am for now. I'm just wondering about long term nutrition requirements. :-)

My three month post-op was rescheduled till the end of September (at four months). I had my blood work done a month ago. The office said if there were any issues they'd call me. No call so 'no news is good news'. I'm assuming results were good.

[BBdoodle 483]

Hi Terry1118....I'm 17 months post op. Everyone is different and I can only tell you what I have experienced. I do not do chicken, beef or pork well at all, every time I try to eat it I have a very difficult time processing and my stomach hurts. I get my Protein from cottage cheese, yogurts and shakes. I basically live on Soups, veggies, grains. I can't do Pasta or rice well...they just don't go down well. I make sure I chew, chew, chew, chew and still I have problems with meat. I can do fish but cannot do lobster well, I think its to stringy and I love lobster too I nice piece of catfish or flounder is just perfect for me.

I think you are progressing just fine. Everyone has to go at their own pace, I think I had a "regular" meal about 6-7 months out, I'm still learning what I can and cannot have!! If all you blood work comes out fine than are OK. My blood work always comes back perfect so I continue to take my Vitamins, Protein and get my fluids in.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

Just as BBdoodle says, everyone is different. chicken, fish and turkey are my best friends. I'm definitely a meatosaurus! Which is not to say that my eating habits have not changed. Dramatically. I think that you'll find your transition back to regular meals will be a gradual one. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Take your time and listen to your pouch. You'll slowly try a little of this and a little of that. "This" might not work too well while "that" will be perfect.

Even things that don't work well at a given point in time may be perfectly fine down the road a little. Long term, the list of things that you simply cannot eat will likely be very short. I'm almost two years out and the only thing I've discovered so far that I can't eat is white rice. Mind you I've only tried it twice but wound up dumping both times so it's off the menu options. Sooo not a big deal.

You're doing a great job and you're gonna love the new you!!

[music1618 879]

I am 14 months post op. I am able to eat anything I want really. chicken can be tough sometimes if it is dry.

You will figure out quickly that the items that go down easy you are able to eat more of. I can handle eating steak, but after about 3oz I am full. Where as I can eat about 5oz of fish. So I tend to eat more fish than steaks. I could not tolerate scrambled eggs for several months and I am just now reintroducing them slowly and have had no problems. However cooked eggs sit heavy in my pouch.

As my pouch and I continue to get to know each other I am discovering new things and new rules. Our pouches are the ultimate decision maker and sometimes she can be a little fickle. However when I make her mad she explains in her own special way about my food choices.

[terry1118 1,274]

Thank you everyone. I think one of the things I was fearful of is someday being able to eat the same things as I did before surgery. I don't want to do that. I WANT there to be consequences to poor food choices for the rest of my life. But I don't want those consequences to prevent me from getting the nutrients I need from food because I can't eat it or keep it down.