Okay, there is a medical issue here...and I cannot seem to make myself eat ANYTHING right now...and I mean nothing. I can sip water...and that is it. I have tried drinking protein shakes, energy bullets of different types, and broths..etc. Nothing is working. So, I had a checkup today with my oncologist, tell her the situation, and am told to eat whatever I can...regardless of what it is.

So, my question is this...which is the greater of two evils? Eating junk like potatoes and gravy because it is possible that I could keep it down and risk creating a carb monster that I cannot control, or not eat anything at all? Right now...they are threatening me with hospitalization...

Any suggestions of what worked for you that has protein in it...would be helpful. Thanks!

Marianna, I really don't know what to tell you. I am just not sure that you would be creating a problem eating carbs if that is all that you can get down right now. But, if all you eat is carbs, you aren't doing your body any good either. Protein is what you need. Could you eat eggs? Or cheese?

I hope that someone has a better answer for you.

I am not really understaning the problem, you just can't eat anything. are you sick or you don't want to eat?

Sweet chickster...you gotta eat, hun...doesn't matter at this point, unless of course you wanna go into the hospital...if you eat the mashed potatoes w/gravy can you put "plain" protein powder in them so that you are getting some protein??? Are you losing too much weight and getting dehydrated???

{pointing finger and shaking it in your face, lovingly, of course}You have to do what you have to do to maintain life...and whatever it takes for your body to be in the best possible shape to help you heal. Now, I know I may be going against the popular thought when I say this, but this is your life here...so you have to give your body "fuel" to fight even if that fuel is carbs for the moment...that said...

Can you tolerate something like the black bean soup??? Or any other lentil/bean type soup...it's carbs but also protein and fiber. Or what about a Greek plain yogurt mixed with fresh fruit and splenda or something...or a baked potato with the yogurt (has approx 22g protein per cup) instead of sour cream with cheese too??? Or a potato type soup...you can just use a few (maybe 2-3 small Red skinned ones) and then puree chickpeas and add them to it and whatever seasonings you like just do not drain the water off of the potatoes also puree about 1/2 of the potatoes then you have chunks and smooth...maybe add the Greek yogurt and cheese a lil bacon bits for extra protein...just do what you have to do...what about deviled eggs??? Bamagal has several good recipes in the Community Kitchen....

Please, please, please take care of you and let us know what works for you...

Lots of luv and blessings!

I'm pre-surg, but I have a recipe for baked custard that I developed using skim milk and egg substitute. It tastes really good, is easy on the stomach, and has 7 g protein, 6.5 g carbs, and .5 g fat. I also have variations for cocoa custard and bread pudding. Let me know if you'd like the recipes.
Beth

What is making you think that the potatoes and gravy will sit well? Honestly, I think that they'd make me feel worse than a stick of cheese. I'm assuming that you are nauseated from your treatment...so how about some soup? Any sort. Just keep yourself hydrated. What about vitamins and such? Are you getting those in?

Sorry that you're going through this...oh...how about a protein ball? Everyone seems to go nuts for those darned things.

Marianna,

do what you have to do hun, and we'll worry about details later. If you don't, you won't have to worry about the carb monster, right?

Love and hugs baby cat.

Marianna... you are not a typical WLS patient anymore... you are dealing with a life-threatening issue here, and you need to hold on to whatever physical strength you can muster.

Now, no you cannot just live on Carbs, but, if that's all your stomach can handle right now, than dammit, that's what you give it. I don't really understand what all you had done, but, the fact that you're dealing with an oncologist at the Mayo clinic tells me enough to know that you've got big things to deal with right now, and being on a friggin' diet shouldn't be one of them!!

Criminy! Way to get my dander up! worrying about whether or not you'll be dealing with a carb monster when you need to be worrying about beating a recurrent bout with CANCER is just downright SILLY!! Woman!! (Can you see my head doin' the neck thang? Good!! 'Cuz I think I just hurt myself!)

Listen... we already know that if you end up needing to beat the Carb monster that Kaye's 5DPT is the ticket to salvation... For right now, go get some potatoes and smash 'em up!! Go get some pasta and lather some butter on it if you think it'll stay down... Whatever it takes to keep you home and in fighting strength... When you're spending your days and nights vomiting from the effects of the cure, you get the calories you can from what you can. Again, I don't know if it's about effects from what they implanted, or if it's just an effect of the surgery... either way, it really doesn't matter. If you're looking at another trip to the hospital - ripe with MRSA, STAPH and a whole plethora of other nasty bugs - or at eating a POTATO and staying home... guess which option sounds more logical and SANE??

Did I yell loud enough? Should I get off my soapbox now? Huh? Huh? Where's you BH when we need her to bang some sense into your head??

As for what's been tried before and works... When my 12 year old nephew was down to 50 # after his third round of chemo, and could keep nothing down, he practically lived on Wendy's chili and Chocolate milk shakes from Arby's. I don't know if the sugar in the shake would be a good idea, but, I can tell you that chili worked very well for him...

Ditto what Darrie said! *ROTFL*

Hon, E A T!

When my mom was going through chemo, she couldn't eat much either - but one thing she could eat/drink was Ensure thrown in a blender with a scoop of ice cream. Now, I'm not suggesting you do that - the ice cream would probably get us all. BUT...do what you have to do to get nutrition (ANY nutrition) into that body of yours. You can't fight the battle of the bulge if you lose the war! We'll worry about those pesky lbs later!

Wow...chili! Who'da-thunk-it. However, that made me think of my friend who is going through treatment right now. He had me bring him a hot pastrami sandwich with extra peppers and mustard. Being the food pusher that I am, I bought him one with double meat. He ate the entire thing, along with a bag of BBQ chips and kept it all down. I was thrilled to know that those calories were inside of him, as he had dropped about 40 pounds. The night before that he had Mongolian Beef from the Chinese take-out. I guess spicy foods work for those going through treatment!

It's an amazing thing, but, my nephew couldn't deal with anything bland, or too high in protein... he wanted the junkiest foods imaginable, and Mexican topped the list...!! I just used to shake my head, and silently celebrate as he managed to keep some of it down... sometimes... *sigh*

(By the way, I'm happy to report that the above was in the summer of 2005, and he's now a 3-year cancer free 15 year old, worrying about whether the girls will think he's pretty enough to go out with... We're all still holding our collective breath that we're ok, but, considering he was given a 30% chance of surviving - and that was IF he managed to survive the chemo... We're all as happy as pigs-in-you-know-what!!)

Sweets considering that I can only get certain foods down right now as well because of food aversion I would say eating junk is the lesser of the evils. Keep trying the healthy stuff first. I don't know how much sugars you can handle but for when I can't get much else down an odwalla high protein bar usually goes down because it feels like straight carbs in my tummy but it has 16 grams of proteins. I can't get most protein bars down because they taste like protein and me and protein aren't the best of friends as of yet.
Peanut butter or cheese on a whole grain bagel. The thomason's ones have 12 grams of protein and the cheese and peanut butter add a bit more without it sitting too heavy like proteins. If that is the feeling that is keeping you from keeping things down.

Sending my love!

I just wanna say... Way to go, Darrie!!! Get on your soapbox, darlin'...and stay there til Marianna gets it! :) (no offense, M...)

Fight the good fight, Marianna..."Do what you can, with what you have, where you are!"

Much luv & blessings!

Okay, consider my tush sufficiently chewed. I think I may need to get some bandages to cover the gaping wounds..lol, good thing I know it is all done in caring huh? <Can't believe I am thanking y'all for ripping me a new hind end, but I really DO thank you>.

I have the most wonderful BH anywhere I believe. I thought she had gone to work...instead she drove for three hours round trip to a gnc in a larger town to get me a large selection of protein stuff and the protein packets Amelia told us about a few weeks ago, and I just had one...no problems keeping it down so far. Took about an hour and a half to sip it all...but I will take it!

Marianna... you KNOW there's nuthin' here but lovin' and laughin'... You're a strong woman, and you WILL get through this... we just gotta do our jobs as some of those who love ya to make sure you don't hurt yourself with the occasional bout of stubborn um... er... uh... yeah that...!!

Good to hear you got the shake down... keep feeling better, and let us know if you need anything else, 'k?

YAY! MArianna! Keep at it with sippin' the good fuel for the body of yours. You have some quality choices!
Good stuff for our great gal!

Gosh...I want a BH!!! You're the luckiest gal around to have someone that cares so much about you to do this. Love it.

I'm also thrilled to know that you were able to stomach some of the protein. It's going to give your muscles the strength that they'll need.

Hugs to you and a big smooch to BH!

Awww...give your BH a big hug for us (she could probably use a good one right about now too) and tell her we luv her too for taking such good care of ya! You're a fortunate woman.

I'm really glad that protein stayed down!

Late to this post, but please Marianna, do what you must to feel the best that you can. Crackers, things with salt, always seem to stay down a bit better. They quell the stomach.

Glad your BH is there for you and so supportive. Hope you are feeling better soon and glad you have seen the light...we all get caught up in the dumb stuff sometimes. It distracts us for a moment - completly normal behavior for someone going through so much. All of us here in the neighborhood are ready to comment & put you straight when you need it...

Thoughts & prayers and plenty of hugs to you...feel better soon.

I totally agree w/ Darrie and just want you to get through this, whatever it takes. You are loved and appreciated. Eat whatever you can get down and worry about the weight when you are well.
To BH (Mel, right?) I say, congratulations on having your priorities in order. Take care of our girl!

Marianna, this one is pretty close to home for me! A number of years ago I began to have that kind of problem. I went for the crackers and anything else I could keep down. I was afraid to go to the doc because I was still overweight and I knew I'd just get yelled at. Can we say 'stupid'?

As the months went on, I could take in less and less. Weight came off simply because I wasn't taking anything in. I actually dropped below 100 pounds, looked like a famine victim and had no energy at all. I still wouldn't go to the doc! Until one snowy evening when I ended up getting dragged in by my hubby and getting an emergency admit to the hospital.

One of my problems was that the medical community in general didn't understand WLS back in the old days -- it wasn't nearly as common then. And my surgeon was no longer in the US, so I really didn't think I had anywhere to go. You don't have that problem!

I advise you to get with your doc on this. If they want to put you in the hospital, so be it. Don't suffer needlessly -- there is help out there and you might just be amazed!

Don't sweat the "Junk or Nothing" question. That's just a bandaid -- get the wound taken care of!

I'm sure you are sick of traipsing to doctors... can't blame you there. Sending love and warm thoughts your way!

Judy

Okay, tis 3:30 here in lovely snowstormed Michigan, and do you know what I have been doing? LOL! Had a treatment this morning...felt like the hind end of a camel afterwards, but refused all soda, juice, etc...and just sipped protein water. The Special K stuff isnt bad...and also seems to stay down well. I was feeling a little better, so I just finished about a half of a scrambled egg with cheese and salsa....and it DOES seem the spicier the salsa...the easier it was to eat! I just dont get it...but am not looking a gift horse in the mouth. My bh found some pistachio sf pudding at wally world..so I mixed some plain protein powder in it..and will try it later. She also bought me the cutest little dishes...almost like dipping dishes and I feel so spoiled when I use them...

Thank you everyone who had ideas on what to eat. I am sticking with the water, eggs, puddings, and SPICY for now....bh promised to bring home taco bell beans and cheese...I LOVED those right after wls..so we will see! It sure sounds good...which is more than I could say for anything yesterday or the past week!

I did talk with my doctor, who said that if I can get at least 40g of protein a day, as well as fluids, then she will allow me to stay at home, but am to see her in her office three times a week for right now. Heck, I will take it!

I guess that mentality comes from brainwashing myself for so many years to not care what I ate...then taking the complete opposite track after wls..to the point where I feel like I am a failure and a fraud if I eat anything that isnt 'perfect' for my pouch...guess all of life is a lesson, and I am still learning how to prioritize mine!

Hugs to the hood!

Woo Hoo! You kept a protein drink down...Way to go!!! And yes, luv, we'll take what we can get at this point! We are all in this fight with you...and be sure we'll give you the proper hiney kickin' any time you need to have one!

Oh yeh, I forgot to mention something that has helped my mil..."crystalized ginger"...you just place it in your mouth and allow it to dissolve or chew it...has a bit of a "spicy" /sweet bite...but it REALLY helps with nausea/upset tummy. Helped my mil TREMENDOUSLY during chemo. Let me know if you can't find any in upper Nowhereville and I'll send you some. Actually, if you'll just pm me your addy I'll get some this weekend and mail it on to you...

Blessings and luv sisterchick!

Don't have much to add except I'm thinking of you and praying that you can keep anything that you eat down and who cares what it is as long as it provides fuel for your body!

Okay, dinner last night didn't go so well, but today is a new day! I have been sipping protein water all morning, and since my wonderful bh had to go to work today, I have a friend and her 2 five year old boys coming over to spend some time with me and my girls today. She is going to teach me to crochet correctly..lol <apparently I do it wrong as she informed me last week!>, and I am going to teach her to knit! My youngest daughter is going to be watching the boys as a pre-cursor to her first alone time babysitting them this upcoming week...so we will see how she does! The last time, they spent close to an hour just playing with her hair...<she has tight ringlets that 'boing' each time you pull on them...stretch her hair so the curl is out, and it is halfway down her back...let it go, and it is above her shoulders!> And of course...the important thing today is protein protein protein and fluids! I had about 1/4 cup greek yogurt this morning with some finely chopped strawberries in it <I LOVE STRAWBERRIES!!>, and aside from a little nausea which I promptly ignored, all seems fine. It also seems to help to keep posting to this thread...as it is holding me accountable when I am home alone...

hugs to my friends in the hood!

Hugs back atcha, baby! Good to hear you so positive! And really good to hear you're getting food to stay in, it's not going to be everything, everyday, but, it isn't supposed to be that easy, is it???

If it was easy, they wouldn't call it a battle! Good thing I have no intentions of losing this one!

<we really need a 'big muscle' emoticon...lmao, or one that says 'grrrrrrrr'>

Sending you love, Mari. You are most definitely a she row in my book.

Way to go chickeroo!!! Yeah! Cheering you on! If it's accountability you need then by all means keep 'em comin!

Blessings & luv!