Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS): What can I eat?

I just had mals surgery , I can not really eat! I am having trouble drinking water, I am nauseous all the time, I do not now what to eat are drink or how much, does anyone have any suggestions,

@329751
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
I’m happy for you having had the MALS surgery but I’m sorry you don’t feel well now.
You could ask your doctor for a prescription for an anti nausea medication.
It’s probably better in the beginning to eat smaller meals more frequently. Same with liquids. Continuous sipping. Choose some easily digested food- yoghurt maybe, toast, egg, applesauce or similar.
If the anti nausea medication doesn’t work you will have to be examined.

Been suffering from MALS for several years looking back on symptoms since at least my teens, 58 years of age now and it's progressing been complaining for years being sent from one specialist to another was prescribed so many different medications which served only as bandaids leading to worse problematic side effects. Finally the MALs showed up on a CT scan just last month while nephrologists was looking for FMDs ( fibromuscular dysplasia) in my kidneys and or stomach since I have an FMD at my carotid artery. Now I have been referred to Oregon Vascular after meeting with one of the surgeons I was informed that there are no qualified surgeons in my region to perform the specific laprascopic surgery needed to fix it. Things are real slow out here and all too often we have to wait a month for insurance to give permission for any type of treatments or surgeries and then there is waiting for an actual surgery date which can take two or more months. On top of waiting for clearance and date I will have to travel 5 hours one way to the surgical center and even then it's a scary thought because the state I live in is one of the worst in the U. S. when it comes to health care. The wealthy ranchers and farmers in our area actually go out of state for their Healthcare needs. Unfortunately our retirement income is barely enough to survive. As a result of of having MALs all these years untreated I have developed secondary issues of poor blood circulation that had lead to extremely high cholesterol and heart disease . Currently I have gone from 130 pounds down to 107 pounds in a few weeks and am starving because I can hardly eat. Been an athlete all my life and have always ate well, never smoked, never consumed alcohol, never took drugs. Have never been overweight so anytime I see or hear " You just need to change your diet, lifestyle and exercise more " I cringe like hearing fingernails on a chalkboard. If there is a surgeon out there with a human heart the empathy and compassion and experienced in this surgery is reading this and is willing to travel to our most near hospital 100 miles away and accept our states insurance and help me; please make contact. Sincerely broke, broken and hopeless in cow country USA where the cows outnumber the people

@cowtownusa
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
I’m sorry to hear that you have been dealing with MALS for such a long time.
Finding a surgeon who has experience with MALS surgery is not always easy.
Here is a link to a National MALS Foundation - showing lists of surgeons by state. These doctors are referrals from patients.
https://www.malsfoundation.org/

Are you able to visit Mayo Clinic?

I wish we had a Mayo Clinic out this way. I just wish now when my husband and I retired we would have researched the health care ratings before moving here. Thank you for the resource link, much appreciated.

@cowtownusa
We made the same mistake- not checking what health care is like where we were moving.
Where do you live?

Oregon now, I worked in Law Enforcement for 18 years which took me to various states and cities on different cases, my husband worked in communications. We researched crime rates and noise levels along with traffic concerns before moving to our particular location which is very rural with lots of peace and quiet, thankfully we were able to buy into life-flight coverage which is the quickest response time should medical emergencies arise. I guess it's the trade off for wanting to settle back to country with clear skies, clean air and clean water with no chemicals. My primary Doctor is great working hard at advocating for my care but he can only do so much since our Healthcare systems often tie up the process with politics and putting profit before people.

@cowtownusa
We moved from NY metro area where there is a university hospital around the corner everywhere. We were so spoiled. We moved southeast, SC, also a medical wasteland when we first moved here. Within a couple of years I developed some medical problems and the local specialist gave up on me.
I was able to get an appointment at Mayo in FL close enough to drive 2-3 hrs.
I ended up having MALS surgery at the university hospital in Charleston.
I’m on Medicare now so I’m not limited to SC. Are you limited to your state?
Something many of our Connect members have realized is that you have to advocate for yourself.
You have suffered so many years and it’s affecting your general health.
You seriously need care. Sometimes it’s helpful to talk to your insurance company- they should be interested in helping you find a way to get the surgery you need. It is a rare disorder and they do have to get you care. Don’t give up.

I found phone numbers to specialist in Portland at the university hospital. I gave the information to my primary, the referral was sent yesterday. Now I wait to hear from Portland, of course I won't wait the suggested two weeks. I will be calling them before the suggested time frame. Not on Medicare yet , I still have a few years to go. Since I retired just after 18 years I forfeited my pension. My jobs burn out rate is 10 years, however if you want the pension and retirement plan you have to stick with it for 20 years. That's a federal job for ya. Long story short, my husband has Medicare thankfully. As for myself I am stuck with our states insurance for now.

@cowtownusa
I’m glad to hear that a referral is sent. You seem to have a good primary- this doctor will be able to help you along the way.
I have a few different chronic and more acute illnesses and my primary has really helped me find good specialists.
I retired early also because of burnout- nothing one can do about it.
Let us know what happens with the referral!