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What is this word, "appetite" you speak of?

Posted by CassMoxie, 17 March 2012 · 246 views

It is 6:55pm MST, USA. I am almost 3 weeks post op and I'm in the puree stage, about to go into soft food stage. I thought I'd be so excited to advance to the next level, but I'm not. In fact, I'm finding liquid diets suit me rather well.

I've not had many bad reactions to any food I have eaten, save it one chicken issue that almost came up, but I had two little bites of chicken today that went down without issues. So there is no physical reason to have an aversion to food. Things still smell good, but food just does nothing for me anymore. I don't look at others eating with envy or disgust, no matter how delicious or revolting the food they're eating used to be to me.

Normally, I wouldn't complain about this being an issue, but it's 6:59 PM and all I've had today is half of a protein shake and 1/4 cup of chicken noodle soup (of which I ate only the mushy carrots, a few sips of the broth and 2 - 3 bites of the chicken). I have walked into the kitchen at least 2 dozen times, and then walked straight back out. I know in my mind I'm supposed to eat. I know I need to get more calories in and more protein. I just... won't.

I'm not sure how to kick start my willpower into a moderate range, where I am okay with making good decisions, but also, you know, actually eating.

Sigh.

BugdocMom

Mar 17 2012 06:22 PM

Hi Cass. I had exactly the same experience for a while. But, it is incredibly important to make sure you get your minimum protein, calorie, and fluid goals in. Otherwise you will not do well, it will catch up to you and you'll be miserable. There is a certain amount of "power" associated with being able to resist food and it feels good to not feel controlled by food (at least it did for me). But, we did this for our health and this period of no appetite is important to train ourselves to make good decisions and develop new habits and tastes for when the appetite does return (and it almost inevitably does.) I had to make a plan each day and develop a routine to get my calories and protein and liquids in. Every day from a very early point, I would have a protein drink at breakfast then make sure I had a snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack. Water or crystal light in between each snack or meal. What I chose for each meal or snack depended on what stage I was in and how my pouch was feeling. Even now, at over 9 months out, I still have the same exact pattern.

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CassMoxie

Mar 17 2012 10:08 PM

You're right. I guess I just needed a wake up call. Between your response and reading about low blood sugar (which I'm subject to this early on already), I cannot afford to give in, this early on.

Liquids I'm not having much problem with, but I was a bit too low on protein today, so I'll do better tomorrow. I did eat, though, and I'm starting a better routine tomorrow when I wake up.

Back in the saddle I go! Thanks for the response, it really did help