Loss of Appetite

Aloha Guys, Remember me? I had my surgery on 02/13. When I got home I was hungry as hell and I could eat often and at least 4-5 ounces at a time. After about 17 days I now can only eat about 3 ounces and now I seem to have lost my appetite. Is this someting normal? I get all my protein (About 95 Grams) and take my vitamins but I no longer have any desire to eat. I am not sick and I have more energy than I ever had. On January 20 I weighed 298 and now I weigh 240. Am I on the right track? I would appreciate any comments from the other losers here. Mahalo

Sounds to me like you're right on-track.  If you've got no appetite but you're getting your protein and vitamins in then you're doing great.  Make sure you're getting your water in too...very important.  Some folks lose the appetite, others keep it....consider yourself lucky! Always good to ask!  CF

Mahalo,

Yes, you're body and stomach are still going "WTF happened?" You might have strong cravings one week and no appetite or response to food scents whatsoever the next week.

You are still healing and your body is confused over that, over the different level of flexibility of the pouch compared to the previous stomach, over changed hormonal responses to food, over cut nerves and probably more.

About 3 months out things start to stabilize.

If you have energy and getting in all of your nutrients, vitamins and liquids, you're probably fine.

Best Wishes,

Dave

I'm not a doctor but I can only say what I've heard about the hunger issue you just described post-op.  Ok, so we all know with RNY, our original stomach gets chopped off near the top and near the esophagus...then its sealed with staples so nothing can leak out... but otherwise its empty from this point on and only contains acids that are generated and link back up the lower small intestines at the anastomosis connection...  Theres all these nerves around the where the stomach got cut and the nerves are still functioning on your original stomach.  These nerves send the signals to our spinal cord and then up to our brain that says "Im hungry" if the stomach is empty.  Well, even if you drink a protein shake or whatever and fill up the pouch... those nerves on the original stomach are still sending signals to say "OMG I'm sooo hungry"... so why does hunger feeling go away after awhile?  Because the stomach starts to atrophy... theres no use for this organ anymore.  It's no longer using its elastisity and muscles to process food... the stomach doesn't die, it just shrinks, gets very weak, and turns itself into acid pump only and those nerve signals pretty much stop.  Your body starts learning to trust the signals from the pouch to determine if you're hungry or not.  That's why several weeks after post-op you hear those stories of people saying they're tired and non-functional because they're not eating enough (basically starving to death) because the body hasn't learned to deal with those new communications from the pouch.  Therefore, you have to listen to your dieticians and nutricianists when they tell you eat and how much, because your body plays dirty tricks with your head. As for your weight loss... its different for everyone... the fact you're losing is what counts.  Almost 60lbs in that short of time... sounds awesome to me.  Just keep doing what you're doing if it's still coming off.

> On January 20 I weighed 298 and now I weigh 240. Am I on the right track? Sheesh!  60 pounds in 6 weeks!  I think you're doing great! Or, as they said in "When Harry Met Sally", "I'll have what [you're] having!" /Steve

Thanks for all the answers men. I feel better now about it. The weight is just melting off. I was a 48 now I am into my old 40's and have the 38s standing by. Went from 4X to a loose 2X. Now when I look down I can see something besides my toes. Life is Great!!  You guys are great. Everything I wanted to know I found here. See when I became a member. Mahalo Nui Loa