FOOD...it's just not the same anymore...

I think what the problem is, is that we don't get enough food to actually TASTE it--so it's just not satisfying.  For me since surgery I have to spice everything super spicy just so the taste lingers in my mouth.  That way I actually FEEL like I ate something.  BUT food just isn't satisfying anymore--I don't get the same feeling from food anymore--I don't enjoy eating because it tastes good in my mouth BUT when it gets to my tummy it doesn't feel comfortable.  Before I never felt the food in my stomach so I just kept eating but now since surgery I feel every bite in my stomach.  I'm grateful and NOT complaining because I've lost 178lbs as of 5/11/08 and that's since 1/22/08.  I'm just explainging how food is for me nowadays and wonder if anyone feels the same??? ~Angie!

For me, it wasn't about the food, but the sense of good feelings that I had when I had a nice full tummy.  I wasn't satisfied unless I was about to bust.  Now, I still get that comfort feeling with so much less food.   Food is definitely different experience now and I've learned to appreciate new tastes and textures instead of shovelling it down the pie hole without stopping to taste and experience the food.   I don't miss the old days one bit. I think as you get farther and farther out from your surgery, your tastes change and your attitude towards food changes as well.  Wait for Jan to post...she's had great experiences and eats such a great variety of food.

I know what you are saying today i fixed tuna fish which i love and it didnt taste good.... Watermeleon is the only thing i found that taste good,but i can only have 1 serving a day. Last night my boys ate at taco bell who has the  new   fuitisa so i took a sip `of lucas's strawberry one.omg never again i had cramps so bad it wasnt worth it...but it did taste good. I hate the taste of splenda its to sweet. But im glad for me that eating has become a chore ,it keeps me from craving the wrong things..............

It really takes a while to find the right balance of enjoying food again.  At first everything for me was just nauseating, and I was also mourning the loss of my best friend, food.  Then it was a while before I got the hang of eating correctly, so often times I felt kind of bad afterwards.  Well who wants to eat when it makes you feel uncomfortable.  It takes a while for the nerves in your tummy to grow back (you should be past that now) and to actually feel full and connected to your pouch.  Sometimes my nose would run or I'd hiccup and that's how I'd know I was full.  One bite too many and pain/nausea etc.  Also, in ketosis, which you are probably in, losing as fast as your are - things don't taste RIGHtT they taste weird, they smell weird, you don't have an appetite.  It passes.  But now, I am happy to say I enjoy food again.  I really crave vegetables.  My relationship with food is a lot different now, and if I fall into an old habit, my pouch reminds me - too rich, too much fat, too sweet, you ate too fast, etc.  Its now fun to explore new recipes and ingredients.  I buy at least one new thing every week at the grocery store to try - usually produce.  Its fun :)  Its a journey, and its a tough one.  It takes a while for each person to come to terms with their new life and their new foods.  Your tastes change, and its trial and error.  It sounds like you are still looking for food to give you the same kind of satisfaction that it did pre-op - taste wise and maybe comfort wise.  I personally think thats part of the mourning of food that I went through too.  It isn't the same now, it doesn't soothe my soul.  Food is a means to stay alive.  It can be tasty and enjoyable, but its not the kind of soul satisfaction it once was.  Now I have to find other ways to feel satisfied.  Sometimes exercise or a nice bath does it, or a good book, or snuggling with my husband or my kitty cat.  For some people shopping or gambling or other addictive behaviors replace food.  We have to find new healthy ways to feed our souls - I wish you the best and all I can say is it takes time to come to terms with all of it.  A lot of time. 

Angie, I have to say that everything Jen said pretty much hits home for me.  I am still struggling to figure out how to deal with it. One thing that has helped me is that I prtion out my meals so on my plate is as much as im going to eat and I never get more...mostly its hard to eat it all actualy but I try to eat it slowly and chew all my food really good , My meal is less than 1/4 of My dh's and takes me as long to eat...So I get to eat as long as I did before...this may help with how it feels in yout tummy too. There are alot of really great people on this board and you wont always feeel the same as everyone but maybe you'll feel the same as someone!  Good luck and I want to say Congrats on your loss your certainly doing amazing! you must feel really good! Estelle

All I can say is I don't crave the same foods I used to. Guess thats a good thing because I ate alot of junk. I just tried a grilled hamburger last week and it didn't set well at all. I was hoping being 6 months out & with BBQ season upon us I could enjoy it but Nooooooooooooooo.  I'll stick to turkey burgers....they're better for me anyway and don't cause a belly ache.  Everything else has been fine and easy to tolerate.  You are doing fantastic...keep up the good work!  HUGS  Jeanine