I'm having some trouble...

Hello All,

I am just about 4 weeks post-op from my RNY surgery last month.

I don't have any hunger or desire to eat. Even when occasionally something sounds good, once it's in front of me, I don't want it. And, because I'm not eating regularly like I'm supposed to, I'm unable to get all of my vitamins in. I'm only able to drink about half the water I'm supposed to as well.

And, because I'm not getting enough in, I'm exhausted after my seditary work day and the thought of exercise is laughable.

Am I alone? Did anyone else feel this way after their surgery?

 I'm only 2 weeks out and I'm not hungry at ALL either.   I eat according to the clock whether I want to or not.  I found that's the only way for me to get everything in that I'm supposed to though I'm still a little short on water yet.

 It is normal to NOT feel hunger or a desire to eat in the months after surgery.  The nerves in your stomach were cut during surgery, so your tummy is not communicating with your brain right now.  But obviously your body is giving you the signal loud and clear --- being exhausted is your body's way of telling you that you need to eat.

Which means you eat and drink whether you want to or not.  Right now food and water are so important that you need to treat 'em like medicine if necessary.... you don't get to choose, you do it because it's necessary.

During my pre-op nutrition class I was given an hour by hour schedule that helped me figure out how to get in all my food, protein and water throughout the day.  And now, almost 3 years later, I'm still following the same basic schedule (because I still don't feel hunger most days). Some days forcing myself to eat was the biggest chore I had to face ... and some days it didn't work so well ... but we have to try anyway. 

Here's the schedule:
http://pamtremble.blogspot.com/2009/10/hour-by-hour-post-op-schedule.html

8:00 - 8:30 -- Breakfast (meals take no more than 30 minutes to eat)

9:00 - 10:00 -- Water - 8oz. 

10:00 - 11:00 -- Snack (protein shake) 

11:30 - 12:30 -- Water - 8oz 

1:00 - 1:30 -- Lunch 

2:00 - 2:30 -- Water 8oz. 

3:00 - 4:00 -- Snack (protein shake) 

4:30 - 5:30 -- Water - 8oz 

6:00 - 6:30 -- Dinner 

7:00 - 8:00 -- Water - 8oz 

8:30 - 9:00 -- Snack (protein shake) 

9:30 - 10:30 -- Water 8oz. 

Eventually I added my vitamins into the routine. This is the schedule I follow today: 

7:00 a.m. --- Breakfast #1 (usually a protein drink) -- Calcium +D 

8:30 a.m. --- Water 

10:00 a.m. -- Breakfast #2 -- Morning dose of vitamins 

11:00 a.m. -- Water 

1:00 p.m. --- Lunch -- Calcium +D 

2:30 p.m. --- Water 

4:30 p.m. --- Snack -- Calcium +D 

5:00 p.m. --- Water 

7:30 p.m. --- Dinner -- Calcium +D 

8:30 p.m. --- Water 

11:00 p.m. -- Bedtime (no food) -- Evening dose of vitamins

I concur

Your definately not alone, totally normal.  What you have to remember is you went though this to be healthy right!  Then you've got to eat and drink.... have to, no ifs ands or buts!  Like Pam said look at it as medicine.  Your body is talking to you, listen to it.

Edie