Tatiana

For those who have given me such support since I've been a member of the site I have to apologise for my absence from the site, there's been a lot going on both at home and with family and I'm at the hospital far too often for my liking.

For those who follow on FB I apologise that you've heard this before but I thought I'd update on my current situation post op.

Since my surgery I've not been able to progress properly onto any consistency greater than soup, yoghurt or smooth desserts which is what I've been living on for the best part of the last 5 weeks (I am now 7 weeks post op). Every time I eat puree or thicker foods I am sick after just 2-3 teaspoons. I have therefore been very reluctant to increase the consistency of food now I'm settled and losing some weight as I am.

I had to see the dietician and nurse about it last week and they were quite cross that I haven't moved on from soups etc. They decided that it was either a case of challenging the sleeve by
1) eating too much at a time - usually no more than 2-3 teaspoons at a time.
2) eating too quickly - usually take 15-20 minutes to eat this quantity
3) eating the wrong consistency of foods - doesn't seem to matter if it is pureed or mashed it all comes back up.
or is anxiety related and that I don't want to move through the different consistencies.

They insisted I should be taking 40-45 minutes to eat 3-4 teaspoons of food at this stage post surgery (6 weeks when I saw them in clinic) which would mean I would have to spend 4 1/2 hours a day over 3 meals and 3 snacks a day!!!

Anyway, they mentioned perhaps doing a barium swallow to make sure it's not a mechanical problem with the surgery but seemed to decide against it. Then, on Tuesday, I got a phone call from the xray department asking me to go in on Thursday for the barium swallow. This I did and, the swallow showed that, if I drink liquid, it goes into and follows through the stomach as they would expect. Then they added bread to it to change the consistency and, while it went down, it then comes back up of it's own accord - this was with one teaspoon of bread & barium mixture. Then, after that, when I drank the liquid on its own it also went down ok but came back up.

I now have to go back to the hospital on Thursday this week to see the surgeon and get the results and their plan of what's going to happen next.

If I'm honest, it's all getting to me rather. I am fed up with only eating soup and yoghurt and I really want to eat 'normal' food which is where I should be at 7+ weeks post surgery. I am angry that, they automatically decided that it had to be something that I was either doing wrong or not doing rather than considering there could be a mechanical reason behind my problems until it was shown not to be in my mind. I feel quite let down by the team and, while I don't wish I'd never had the surgery, I do wish they would not assume that if something is outside their usual expectations then it is the fault of the patient.

Sorry for the moaning,

Tatiana

tracyt84

aww so sorry ur going through this,these kind of things gets me thinking 'am i doing the right thing' we are all told of the risks etc but all think itll never happen to us,hope u get well soon xxxx

NOMOREyoyo

Maybe you need one of those 'stretch' things that Ryan had to have hun???? Look up Ryanrara's recent posts xx

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stuckinafatsuit

Hi tatiana
I can imagine you being well fed up stuck on liquids, thank god you went back for the barium swallow. They will have some answers for you on thursday im sure, this must have happened to other people. Im on solid food now but im keeping it really runny as normal food feels like its stuck even when i chew it well and can be quite painfull.
Hang in there until thursday and demand its sorted.
Kim x

Newmelani

I'm sure you are frustrated. I hope you get some answers soon. Hopefully you will be able to eat more solid food before you know it. I'm glad you were able to prove it wasn't something you did wrong

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angiemason

i hope you get it sorted soon take care x

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angie

flowerofshona

Sorry its been such a tough time hun, hope they get you sorted soon xxxx
Must admit it makes me question having the op

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1st 2st 7st
3st 4st 8st
5st 6st 9st

78lb lost pre op

Newmelani

Please don't question it. It's more than worth it! I'm seeing amazing results already!

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TwinkleTwinkle

Aw Tatiana, honey ... so sorry you are having a bad time It does sound like you may need a stretch sweetie After all you have been through, it would be a blessed relief I am sure. Ryan & several others have had this done & not looked back It is a minor procedure but makes all the difference. Hope it is sorted soon for you, lovely Is your mum OK now? xxx

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Clairey1975

So sorry to hear about all you're going through! You poor thing. I really hope you get things sorted ASAP! Thinking of you xx

Tatiana

Thanks all, it's great to continue getting this support when times are tough.

Denise, mum is still in plaster (see's orthopaedic specialist again on Tuesday) and has been sent an appointment for the falls team for the following week but at the same time I've got another appointment myself so she has to rearrange that one.

I would love to be on more normal food now but, after being sick after every meal for 2 weeks, I'm wary of trying anything. I want nothing more than to have an omelette or cottage pie but know what's likely to happen, and it isn't pretty!!

My mum thought they would have to do an endoscopy or something similar to make their next decision - and I guess they could do a stretch by endoscopy. Whatever is going to happen, I should hopefully know on Thursday.

Tatiana

flowerofshona

You have so much to cope with so please take time for you when you can hun (((((hug))))))

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1st 2st 7st
3st 4st 8st
5st 6st 9st

78lb lost pre op

OOnion

Good job they did the barium swallow then really! How annoying for you - hope you get sorted soon, perhaps they did an Australian bypass rather than the UK ?! xx

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Dani




My Weight Chart:

TwinkleTwinkle

Good luck for Thursday, Tatiana, whatever the outcome I am sure you will be better off ... hugs to you & your mum, honey xxx

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Tatiana

Oonion,

Perhaps that is the problem, I thought they were doing a sleeve!!!

Tatiana