fries

[Intelligentslug]

I have been feeling really well for the past few days. I am 5 weeks out. My daughter just got door dash. A bacon cheeseburger and fries. Smelling it and watching her put all in her plate take a bite….I am fighting back tears. After taking tiny bites of yet another (almost) 1/2 an egg, I want to EAT something so badly right now. Just a small bite of a fry. It is killing me. I could sob.

 

[missyinacage]

Just don't. Best case, you'll make yourself sick. Worst case, you won't get sick. And so you'll eat more fries. Success is not guaranteed. Surgery truly is a tool. I know 2 people personally who have gained back a large percentage of the weight they lost by not following the guidelines. So, just don't.

Even so, these first few weeks are the WORST! Liquid diet is awful. It seems like everyone you seeks eating your favorite foods. You're tired. Hungry. Sad. I used to cry in the shower after my family had dinner.

It is ALL worth it. All of it. So, hang in there. Remind yourself that this diet is temporary. The sadness is temporary. The cravings are temporary. It does take a long time to be able to eat real food, in a reasonable serving size. Still worth it.

Plus, those foods are only good HOT! By the second bite they're kind of greasy and gross. So, door dashed fries are not worth your tears

 

[Intelligentslug]

Lol! So true about door dash fries. Thank you.

 

[KathyLev]

It's not fair ......... why do all the bad things smell so damn good ! LOL

 

[mam]

Hi Intelligentslug....this may or may not help you, but I am 4.5 months out of VSG surgery. I ate 2 Chik Fil A waffle fries last week, and I was okay after. I'm not encouraging it and don't plan to make it a habit but did have them.

 

[Intelligentslug]

I totally understand that I need to make choices but I like know I have the freedom to enjoy things that I enjoy on occasion. So yes, it helps a lot. Thank you.

 

[Intelligentslug]

*healthy choices

 

[Elidh]

It WILL get better! When I was allowed to eat a wider range of foods, and we had hamburgers and fries for dinner, I was (and am) satisfied with a slider and maybe 4-5 oven baked fries.

 

[Intelligentslug]

How far out were you when you were able to ear the slider. Right now a few bites and I feel full and often nauseous. I am wondering about the progression from tiny bites and tiny amounts accompanied by discomfort to the gets better stage. Basically “the middle of the story”. The beginning of the story is “this is hard” and the end if the story is “it gets better and it is worth it”. It is the unknown that is freaking me out. Do I endure this phase for weeks? Months? Years? Before it gets better. I am struggling.

 

[Elidh]

How far out were you when you were able to ear the slider.

For me, maybe a year or later. I can't really remember. Nutritionists/surgery teams vary widely in how you should progrss on your eating plan.

 

[Intelligentslug]

Thank you for taking the time to share all of that.

 

[Intelligentslug]

I really just want to know when I can look forward to not feeling sick.

 

[Mimi K]

If you are on soft foods. I would recommend peeling and cutting a fresh potatoe and air fry it or oven bake until soft. You can salt and pepper or dip in a little sugar free ketchup. You'll only be to get a few bites down of any foods right now, but it will progress over time.

 

[Intelligentslug]

Thanks Mimi K sounds yummy.

 

[missyinacage]

Straight answer is it takes a LOT longer than 5 weeks to be able to eat any significant amount of solid food. I wasn't even allowed solid food until week 6 and still only managed one meal per day.

The middle of the story is it gets progressively easier every month.

The long, truthful story is you will never be able to eat the same amounts as you used to. Wasn't that the entire point of having the surgery?

If you are feeling nauseous or having pain when you eat, let your team know. They have medication that can help you.

 

[Intelligentslug]

Thank you. I appreciate that.

 

[Marie Favorini]

Having read all of this, I’m wondering if nausea and vomiting is common in the first 6 weeks (or longer) after surgery or if it is only a problem if you don’t follow the diet? Also, I have heard that it can feel like food is backing up in your esophagus. Is that really what’s happening or does it just feel like that?

 

[Intelligentslug]

Everyone’s experience is different. I know of people who have had no nausea at all so don’t let this scare you. For me, it feels mostly like regular nausea or like a weight in my stomach. There is A LOT of trial and error with foods and a learning to eat even slower and with even smaller bites that you imagine. And much less than you imagine. I also have a lot of anxiety ( which I work through in therapy). I think that adds to my nausea as well.

 

[Intelligentslug]

I am learning, with the help of this chat group that I am rushing things and expecting too much right now. I need to sloooooow down (internally and externally).

 

[missyinacage]

Having read all of this, I’m wondering if nausea and vomiting is common in the first 6 weeks (or longer) after surgery or if it is only a problem if you don’t follow the diet? Also, I have heard that it can feel like food is backing up in your esophagus. Is that really what’s happening or does it just feel like that?

I was so lucky. I was rarely nauseous and was taking only OTC Tylenol before they ever released me from the hospital. My husband was nauseous for weeks. It really does depend on your body. And possibly your surgery? I had bypass, he got sleeved.

Acid reflux can feel very much like food is coming up, when its just acid. If food is headed up your esophagus, its probably going to make you vomit.

100% follow your teams dietary rules. Even if they are not the same as everyone else's. Even if they don't make sense to you. Some of us were allowed carbs, fruits etc. & some of us weren't. If they tell you avoid it, just do it. It's only for a limited amount of time and those foods can be difficult to digest. And they can slow weight loss.

Why trust a surgeon to cut out part of your body and then bicker about a few temporary food restrictions?!?