No appetite, don't want to eat, nothing tastes good
I will be 2 months out on Feb 15th. about two or so weeks ago i was very sick, could not eat for 8 days, was dehydrated, VERY nauseated, gagged and dry heaved when i'd try to eat so I had to restart phase 1 and 2. I was told to go back to phase 3, which for me is chicken, tuna, fish, cheese, etc. But I can't seem to get myself to eat anything. I have no appetite, am not hungry and when i force myself to eat i can only take a couple bites and i am disgusted because nothing tastes good so I basically for about a week don't eat and I know that is not what i am supposed to be doing. The most i eat is a couple bites of something a day, usually cheese. I'm not nauseated like I was but when i put the food in my mouth and start chewing and swallow, i feel sick.
Today i decided i better eat something that sounds good rather than nothing so i had some yogurt (2 oz). I am taking my vitamins and have been drinking protein shots (26 grams). But thats it besides liquids. I had started eating beans a few weeks back but nutritionist told me no its too soon, but beans seemed to go down better for me and i had an appetite for them. I just don't know what to do. I want to gag thinking about meats and cheese so i really don't have many other options.
I have an appt on 2/19 and plan to talk to doc about this. In the meantime, anyone else having this problem? I feel like i'm starving my body and i know this is not good for me. And yes I try everyday to eat. That is where i get my couple bites and then i just cant' stomach the thought of food, its not that i'm just not doing it.
Chin up! It will get better. I suffered like this about about 2 months. I talked with my NUT. She assured me I was not alone and told me to eat what works. If I wanted liquids- have liquids. If I want only yogurt and cottage cheese- have it.
Hydration is number one. Keep your drinks coming.
Protein is number 2. Then supplements.
The take home message for me is that just because they advance your diet, does not mean you have to plow ahead. I have a very conservative surgeon. My diet was 4 weeks of liquids, 4 weeks of pureed, 4 weeks of soft then onto a "reg" diet.
I stay in between pureed and soft because I feel better. I like what is familiar, esp when I am working. On weekends I venture out and try new things. Still having trouble with chicken. Beef is okay. Turkey bad...tuna better. It is all new these days.
I have my whole life to advance to regular food. I am not in a rush.
So, don't be too rough with yourself and your system. Feel your way. Eat what sits well with you as long as you are getting some nutritional bang for the buck!
It will get better...really.
Revised from Band to Bypass 10/26/09
High Wt 355/ Surgery Wt 343 (BMI 61) / Current Wt 190 on 3/17/12
TT/Fleur De Lis 8/22/11
Mastopexy and Brachioplasty 12/14/11
-Wanda
Glad to hear that i'm not the only one. I figure it will pass but I do worry. I'm going to be honest with my surgeon. they may get mad at the things i'm eating and say i'm being non compliant but i do not want to end up in the hospital.
Thanks for the responses!
You can also add some whey protein to yogurt for an extra protein boost. Get creative. Mix protein into decaf coffee. Mix protein powder into SF pudding.
My favorite smoothie:
1 scoop Isopure Vanilla protein (23 grams protein, no carbs or fat)
10 frozen cherries
a couple of ice cubes
1/2 a cup of milk
a dash of vanilla
3-4 tsp of splenda
1/2 tsp guar gum (optional, makes it thicker. You can add a tablespoon of SF pudding mix instead)
Yummm cherry vanilla smoothie.....but I like the taste of whey protein. I'm sick like that.
If you like coffee and you're allowed caffeine, get some Click on Amazon. Try different proteins until you find one you can tolerate.
Try Wendy's chilli, and Boston Market Chicken or turkey, very moist.
At this point, you should be getting at least 60 grams a day of protein......remember, protein is medicine. As Shari says, you can do hard things.
Remember that if you get dehydrated, you won't want to drink.
The same is true of protein malnutrition. If you don't get enough protein, you lose your appetite.
Good luck, stay focused, you can do this.