2 months post op still struggling with solids

kizzie · August 16, 2008

Hey there

Maybe some of you remember me and my journey so far... not an easy one. a BRIEF reminder and then maybe some of you can offer some 'advice' (seeing my surgeon next week).

2 weeks post op: infection around stomach,fever 102 hospitalised

3 weeks post op: NORMAL! had a great week but very hungry

4 weeks post op: port flipped, sugery to reposition and small fill

6 weeks post op: infection in port area and stomach closed up completely(total unfill) liquids for 1 week and then soft foods for week 7

8 Weeks post op STILL can't eat solids without throwing up or getting stuck.

I still don't have any fill in my band.. just as well with all of this!!

I am chewing really well, and after just a few fork fulls I get that golfball and need to throw up. I usually only manage about 4 or 5 small bites of anything solid before throwing up most of it. I wait between bites a minute or so. I am only eating small soft foods right now but I wanted to ask if anyone else struggles with solids? I usually stick to minced meat or chicken or fish.. with soft vegetables (non fibrous kinds ie carrots spinach etc)... I have even vomited Soup and yoghurt this week!

My doctor did a barium check on me last week and said I was still slightly swollen but my band is in a perfect position as is my port and that the liquid was going through well.. He said to take it slowly with solids but HOW SLOW!???

How many times do you chew?

How big a bite do you take? (I take about half a fork full and smaller)

How long do you wait between bites? ( I am sick of cold food now!!)

I get so fed up of the golf ball and the pain in the back of my throat (tightening and tingling) that i usually give up and have a shake (if anything at all!)

... although saying that I was at a kids birthday party this week and so hungry I ate a cup of 'cheetos' (how easily did THEY go down??) and a mini magnum bar... (all no no's. but as I had consumed little to zero calories I didn't think it would hurt much.. it didn't.. no pain at all!. go figure)

Am I destined for a life of shakes!?????....

I am seeing my doctor next week.. but could do with some support.

Have lost roughly 30 pounds since my op ... but haven't really lost anything in the past 2 - 3 weeks...

Not exercising either as I tore a ligament in my ankle last week... ouch!! OH and then a bee stung my big toe (the one in the cast!!!)..not doing too great eh!!?

Am happy to have my band still..you won't find miseries here!!!

THanks guys!!!

Fernando · August 17, 2008

Kizzie what a trooper you are... I hope you get things figured out soon...

Just glad to see you are still happy to have your band.

Keep us posted

greyhoundmom · August 18, 2008

hi kizzie! you get a big A+ for hanging in and taking care of yourself! you sure have been thru a lot!

you asked a few questions - so this is what i do - and i find some solid foods still don't work no matter what i do (anything that is too dry - like leftover chicken or even fresh chicken salad - chicken in general is iffy for me). but most do workout ok.

i try to follow the fluids rule: nothing to drink 15 minutes before eating, nothing during and nothing 30 minutes after eating (after my last bite). sometimes i even set the timer if i'm home so i know when i can drink again 30 minutes later! usually i do that when i'm thirsty (which is often).

i eat one fork/spoon at a time. put it down between bites and chew until it's mushed up in my mouth almost like it was pureed before i ate it. if i swallow by accident before i'm done chewing (sometimes that happens) i just wait to see how i feel before i have any more solid food. i probably chew at least 30 times for each bite. it takes forever and sometimes i forget or get interrupted (i.e. someone asks me something) and then swallow too soon. i just wait to eat the next bite until i swallow and then just let myself feel how it went down -ok? then i take another bite. not ok, i wait a little more and sometimes just stop.

it takes at least 1/2 hour for me to eat a meal - if i last that long and don't get full or that 'stuck' thing going on (chicken).

my stomach healed slowly - i had swelling for a long time - even a little will make you feel full and weird. so i hope the little that's left for you - when it's gone - will make this easier for you.

i hope you are getting enough Protein - it probably is just fine for you to keep at the Protein shakes until you get thru this rough patch you are having! i've read the trouble with sticking to shakes is you don't get the full feeling that the band is designed to help with and thus you might get too many calories BUT you probably don't need that full feeling right now from the sounds of it! you need nutrition! and the shakes do make me feel full - at least they do for me. i was away this past week and missed them actually. "real" food can be such a challenge! tho delicious but i have to constantly think about what i'm doing. i know it'll become second nature soon but not yet for me.

good luck! and hang in there - get your Protein and experiment with solids when you have time to concentrate. i have the most trouble when i'm with others and trying to listen or watch tv or do something else while i'm eating.

bye for now!