Thank you @linda82 and (@hopeful33250 for your feedback. I will definitely try your suggestions. I had thought about a food journal and will definitely start doing that. It’s funny you talk about soups because that’s one thing I still make. As it makes a lot for just one person, I usually have single servings in my freezer. I try to use a lot of vegetables. I seem to be able to tolerate smaller salads and some fresh vegetables, but if I eat too much of that I spend the next day in the bathroom. So that’s one area I’m trying to figure out because I know I’m probably not getting enough fiber. The only way I can describe the tightness is that it feels like my gut has been pulled tight. And maybe that’s exactly what it is. I had 12 inches of bowel removed and then hooked back together. I started having this feeling around the 4 month mark.
The stomach discomfort is right in the middle of my gut and typically comes on suddenly and usually midday. I’m guessing something I ate brings it on but I don’t really know. And if it is I haven’t figured out what foods trigger it.
I have a follow up appointment with my surgeon this week and will talk to her about this stuff but I’m wondering if it’s time to make an appointment with my GI for additional help.
I guess I had high expectations that when I had the bad part of my bowel cut out I’d be normal again. And while my quality of life is way better than a year ago I still haven’t figured out my new normal. It helps so much to read what others who have had similar experiences are dealing with.