Having some Issues

February 4, 2014 I had my sleeve. Since then, I have followed my "bible" the doc gave me to the letter. When it said I could eat something I tried it, when the doc advised I move to next level or try drinking something, I did.

I have had a lot of random vomiting lately. I can just be sitting watching a movie with my daughter and find myself about to vomit. Within seconds I have to grab the nearest trashcan otherwise I will not make it to the bathroom... I've tested this once already.

I am severely limited on what I can eat still. While I am successfully having some solids, I find it difficult to eat some things I should be able to. I have to absolutely feel like what I eat is what my body needs otherwise I vomit it. I've tested this and found out the hard way numerous occasions. I have brought this to my doctors attention but have heard 3 times so far that I am doing something wrong, eating the wrong foods or even possibly overeating. I have been terrified at the idea of tearing my stomach open so I never did anything other than what the papers he gave me, said to do. Considering most days I can't do little more than super soft foods, there is no way I could be doing that. On a good day, I can eat 1/8 to 1/4 cup of anything 5 times a day. Anything is actually quite limited. I'll give you a quick run down of the foods I can eat in just a moment. It's not a big list. That being said, overeating is in no way my issue. Finally foods... foods I was told to avoid, I eat with ease; foods I was told to eat, make me nearly instantly sick.

Foods I can eat:

• Shrimp with salsa and sour cream
• Orange juice
• single slices of roast beef sandwich meat from the deli
• Tillamook pepperjack cheese slices - 1 oz per
• turkey bacon - 2 slices
• crab salad but it can ONLY be made at Sprouts grocery store. The small container and it takes me the entire day to eat it.
• Now and then, lightly salted and dry roasted sunflower seeds.
• sauteed portabella mushroom in avocado oil.

I've spoke with my pcp and the doc over him and both tell me if I can eat it well, then go ahead, not to worry about it. My biggest concern is, drinking water makes me sick. I cannot drink more than a half a cup in a single day. That is absolutely it. Orange juice I can do 16 ounces a day with ease, sometimes even more than that. Each of these foods listed above I cannot eat daily. I track my daily intake and count calories and I barely go over 500 calories a day, on a good day.

Has anyone else faced a challenge like this? If so what did you do? I am losing weight so I am happy about that. Just very afraid of going at it the wrong way.

as long as you're taking in fluid... it doesn't matter what it is, really. I had a reeeeally hard time with water ~ still do. But if I pour 3/4 water and 1/4 fruit juice, I can tolerate it much better. Your sleeve is so new, I'm surprised that you can eat as much as you've listed.. Everyone's body is different, we all can't tolerate the same foods at the same time. For me, key lime greek yogurt was breakfast, lunch and dinner for at least 4-5 months. Everytime I tried to eat 'normal food'.. by the second or third bite, my mouth was all watery and I was running for the bathroom. My sleeve was tiny, it just couldn't handle what other people could. It's not forever ~ it will get easier. You need to just make sure that you're getting your protein in, and even if you have to keep ice chips for a snack option.. get your fluids in. Nothing wrong with OJ, or tea, or whatever works for you and your tummy. I bought a Vitamix ~ EXCELENT investment. I could never eat in a whole day, what I can throw in that blender.. it pulverizes everything and I've come up with some pretty yummy concoctions.. add some unflavored protein powder and Wa-Bam! A whole day's nutrition in one shake ~ anything else I can get in is a bonus. ;)

Can't drink just water. So I add all kinds of things to change the flavor. Now can get down all I need.

From what you have stated you are not getting enough fluids in for one thing. I know that water can be hard to drink and I have posted many times that it has to do with the surface tension on the water. Try mixing a little MIO or Crystal light into the water. This changes the molecular structure of the water and thus changes the surface tension. You should be able to get your 60 ounces of FLUIDS a day by this point. Be aware that of all the juices, citrus juice is the hardest on your stomach. I was told to avoid it for the first 6 months. The acids in the juice hurt the new stomach. Also you should lay off the seeds and nuts for the first 3 months. They seeds and nuts can get lodged into the crease where you are stapled. You dont mention anything about trying fish. IT is an easy protien for most of us to digest. I am not talking about no nasty canned fish either, lol. Beef should be one of the last meats you re-introduce to your stomach. It is one of the hardest ones for anyone to digest. IF you dont get your fluids in you are running a risk of dehydration and the vomiting doesnt help there either. Godspeed on your journey.

Yes I hated water. It just tasted horrible and its not so bad now, just really really boring. The first thing I had was english breakfast tea with milk and 1 sugar and I have been having that a bit since surgery. Its really nice and now because I have lost weight, a hot drink does not make be feel hot so its nice. Like a little holiday in a cup. I would try that. Give it time and you will get there.

Jewel has nailed it on the head. I couldn't eat anything more than lentils and cottage cheese for three months. Each of us is different. It is important to find out as quickly as possible what you can and cannot tolerate. There are still plenty of foods and drinks I cannot, and will not, eat.

Anything carbonated comes to mind. Beer, sodas, energy drinks. My sleeve just doesn't like tiny bubbles.

Some spicy foods sit well while some don't. Kind of strange because pre op, all things spicy were on my menu. Now, not so much.

So, take it all in stride. You have a long way to go and all the time in the world to get there. Just relax and do what Jewel suggests.

Her approach appears to be very sensible and it would be hard to argue with her results.

I found that if I refrigerate the water before hand it is easier to drink. Also, I do occasionally put mix in it to change the flavor. Like Seth said, be careful with that much citrus this early in. you stomach is still healing and the acid is hard on it. Plus, that is like drinking drinking fruit juice is like drinking pure sugar. Your body doesn't have to work very hard to break it down so it is straight calories. Also, remember that non-caffeinated teas and coffees, broth, jello and the like count as fluid.