What if you just don't WANT to Eat? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Snow-Belle · 11-16-2008, 03:07 PM

Greetings All....

I'm five weeks out from my surgery (Oct. 7) and for the past week I'm having an increasingly hard time eating.

I just don't want to eat.

Granted I'm only on about 3 to 4 tablespoons per meal ..but after the first spoonful (or forkful), I just don't want any more.

I adhere to the no fluids 30 minutes before or after rule. And I get 48 to 64 ounces of fluid in a day (my doctor said given my height, etc., that I only needed 48 to 64 ounces of fluid a day-I was having problems with waking up two or three times a night to pee).

Even when I 'think' I'm hungry.... I still can't get more than a spoonful down without forcing it.

There's no pain or anything involved in eating more than a spoonful...I just don't want it.

I had no problems getting my 3 to 4 tablespoons of food down comfortably previously...now I just don't want anymore than the first spoon or fork full of food.

I am getting all my protein in (protein drinks made with water) and vitamins.

Should I force the other 2 to 3 spoons of food down or just let it go at the one?

Is this even an issue, or should I just 'enjoy' it while it lasts since eventually my appetite will return.

MiladyB · 11-16-2008, 03:34 PM

If you are getting in all your protein I wouldn't push it too much. But that being said you do need to push yourself a little bit. I went through the same thing. I just didn't want to eat. My surgeon wanted me to stay away from protein drinks as much as possible, but I was also 3-4 months out and I still didn't want to eat.

I looked at it as a job. Something I had to do. I ate what I could and then supplemented with the protein shakes. You do want to gradually wean yourself down on the protein supplements and gradually increase your protein intake from solid food.

Don't make yourself sick by pushing it too much but maybe try to increase it a couple teaspoon fulls per day. It's hard but it will come. I remember wondering if I would ever enjoy food again. I felt so "abnormal" and all I wanted was to be able to eat "normal". No, not a bunch of unhealthy foods but I was so tired of feeling different, when it came to eating meals. Gradually it got better and gradually I started enjoying the taste of food again.

Be patient with yourself.

Snow-Belle · 11-16-2008, 09:15 PM

Thanks Beth!!!!!

It's just such an odd experience...particularly since I had no problems a week ago eating my 'meal's. I've been slowly trying to add a little variety (as much as I can, I'm still in the pureed/mashed stage) from my list of foods I can have at this stage. But again, I just don't want more than a spoonful.

I suppose in a few months I will look back and this time and wonder what on earth was I worrying about!!!

Again... THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Corrine · 11-17-2008, 07:40 AM

I went through the same thing Michele - still do sometimes to be honest.

My surgeon is different. He has no issue with me still using protein drinks - not eating meat makes it difficult to get all my protein in sometimes.

The early stages can be difficult for some but don't stress over it. When you get over the mushy stage, you'll have more foods available to you.

In the meantime, just keep plugging away - honestly sweetheart, it does get easier.

Can you tolerate dairy? Sprinkling some semi-skimmed mozzarella on anything you can. That adds 7-8g of protein per ounce. Make your protein drink with ff milk for an additional 8g or so of protein.

Making sugar/fat free no cook Jello pudding with ff milk and adding a scoop of matching protein powder was a good standby for me too. I just scooped out a spoon or two every time I went passed the fridge.

mistymee · 11-17-2008, 09:51 AM

I have days when I just can't bear the idea of eating much of anything... so far at least, on those days I can still tolerate the greek yogurt (FAGE), which has a huge amount of protein in one seven ounce container.. I can usually do some sort of cheese as well, which will help getting protein in me.

Colleen · 11-17-2008, 12:22 PM

Gah, I feel that way too. I eat only because I have to...

Momof3 · 11-17-2008, 02:43 PM

I miss those days LOL

Thin in Progress · 11-17-2008, 05:14 PM

Gah. I don't feel like eating dinner right now. I actually hate eating now, and it's mostly because I am scared.

GrandmaRose · 11-17-2008, 05:23 PM

Michele, If you were right in front of me now - I would beat you with my cereal bowl!

I even DREAM of food! I want to eat, eat, eat. My name is Rose and I am a food-aholic.

I am still working thru lots of issues with my brain, as you can tell. However, I have learned how to "control" eating - think about something else! Distract myself with something physical: treadmill, walking, reading, grandchild, phoning a friend, etc.

However, the OPPOSITE "problem"? I don't think it's a problem, myself. (ha-ha). Don't worry. Things will catch up with you. I started out that way, too. I was afraid I would vomit, afraid food would get stuck, didn't feel like eating. One thing that helped was being able to smell it cooking.

Love,

Rose

Snow-Belle · 11-17-2008, 05:56 PM

I know, I know....someday soon I will look back at these days and say "WHAT ON EARTH WAS MY PROBLEM!!!!" *ducking Rose's cereal bowl*

I've been trying to add low fat cheese to some of the things that I eat....

I am getting my protein in through the protein drinks.... I stopped making them with milk because all of a sudden, milk and I just didn't get along!

I haven't lost total interest in food...I still cook meals for my brother...and my son when he drops by...and I've started baking christmas cookies. I just don't want to eat any of it...I enjoy the way it smells...

As long as it's normal..... that's all I was worried about!!!

And I know that in a couple of months I will probably have the exact OPPOSITE problem and be crazy with hunger!!!!!!