Help I think Ive started being afraid to eat!

[snowwhytequeen 0]

Hi I am week 5 post op. I have one more week on the soft food diet but I am already at a loss for what to eat and what not to eat. Everywhere I go there seems to be no food for me. I am starting to become afraid to eat foods! Like when has anyone tried steak? Does anyone have a problem with shrimp? My friends want me to go and eat with them but i keep refusing because everything seems to be fried including the seafood. Plus I am getting totally freaked out about getting something stuck in there that has to be surgically removed. Please anyone have any advice? I never thought I would start having an aversion to food in general.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Respectfully you need to just chill out. I am 7 months post op. I have 6.25 ccs in my 14 cc band and I have pretty good restriction AND I eat steak, and shrimp just fine. I even eat bread. If you're worried, try things at home first. I honestly have never heard of a person getting something stuck and needing surgery to remove it...except chewing gum, and that isn't surgery, just an endoscopic procedure. Doesn't mean it can't happen, but the odds are very very VERY slim. You may take too large a bite, not chew well, and "PB" it back up (kind of burp it back up) and it isn't necessarily fun but won't require a trip to the doc etc.

Seriously discusss this with your surgeon or nutritionist if you can't move beyond it. While it's understandable to not want to try different foods out in public, you shouldn't be afraid to try them at home. Order things at restaurants that you've already tried and know you can eat.

And FYI for many (not all, but many) of us...until we get some fills, our bands are wide open and there are no problems eating anything!

[alotlessofme 3]

I was banded on 1/29/09 had one fill and have some restriction. I haven't tried steak ~ because I'm afraid it will get stuck. No longer eat bread for the same reason. Actually, I don't miss either!!! I love shrimp and have no problem eating it!! I can eat anything I want I just make sure I chew everything well and try my very best not to eat and drink. Happy eating!!!:w00t:

[Holabbie 0]

If you do have concerns about a food, try it at home first if possible. When you do go out to eat, just remember to take small bites, chew, chew, chew and take your time.

I was banded on January 27 and the day I came off liquids - 2 weeks post op - my doc said "start with soft foods but whatever you can eat without a problem, go ahead and eat". We went to Old Country Buffet that night and it was great because I could take a spoonful of different items to see what worked and what didn't. After a month of liquids, everything tasted incredible!!:thumbup:

Shrimp is wonderful when you have it broiled or grilled. Same with chicken and fish. I do have problems with soft bread but toast has been no problem. I bought some melba crackers and put chicken or crab salad made with fat free mayo on them for lunch. Salads have not been a problem at all. I just chop my lettuce into smaller than usual pieces and it's great. Add some chicken and cheese and you will add Protein and Calcium.

Don't let it worry you but here's the biggest thing...if you start feeling pressure or fullness behind your breastbone or in the upper abdomen area, stop eating immediately and wait at least five minutes before eating more. Go to the restroom or something if you are eating out. That feeling means something is taking it's time to get through and the worst thing you can do is put more food on top of it. You WILL be throwing it all up. The first few times it happened to me, I didn't realize in time that I was heading for trouble. :w00t:

I have found that raising my hands over my head for a minute or two seems to help the diaphram unlock and the muscles then help send the stuck item through.

Good Luck and don't let it scare you. When you are nervous you tense up and that just makes things worse.

Karen

[jillrenee15 0]

This is all excellent advice, and I'm glad I read it too. I'm only 6 mo out and still have a hard time deciding what to order. I really really really want a great big burger on the grill this weekend, with barbeque sauce and tomatoes, lettuce, etc. Spring Fever big time!!!! I'm gonna cook them, but don't know how much of one I'll be able to eat.

If you really don't think there is anything you can eat when you go out, get a cup of Soup. I love restaurant Soup, it is much better than the crap from the can, and I get it a lot. I try to stay away from the creamy ones though. You know those have got to be loaded with fat and calories. I'll order my soup, and my husband will give me 5-6 bites of whatever he's got if I want it, and I'm all set. We had mexican today for lunch, I did order my own plate this time. I eat about 1/4 of what was on it, my 2yo ate another 1/4, and I took the rest to work for my dinner.

All in all, there will be something. You may only be able to eat 1/2 of it, but that's a good thing!!!!