WHO ISN'T HUNGRY?

hi everyone! i think this may be my first thread on this board, but i figured those further out could be more insightful than the main board. does anyone NOT get hungry? i am 14+ months out now and i still don't get hungry. i am below my goal now and last time i went to the dr they told me they "really would like to see me at 125". this morning i weighed 110.8. i am 5'2'', so i am still "normal". i don't want to lose more. i know i am not eating enough and not getting in my protein requirements. lets see, it is 3:20pm here now and i have not had a thing to eat, just coffee. and i don't feel hungry. when i do eat, i usually get "full" real fast and end up eating a max of 2-3 oz. has anyone had troubles like this? is this all in my head? i have to admit, the idea of an eating disorder has crossed my mind. but i just don't think that's it, since i don't want to lose anymore. sometimes i actually think i should gain a few lbs. i am planning to call the nutritionist monday and making an appt and also making my follow up appt with my surgeon for next month. any thoughts or experiences on this are welcome! hugs~mary jo

Mary Jo, I'm 2 years post-op TODAY and I still don't feel hunger. I usually eat by the clock. Every morning I drink 2-3 cups of coffee. Then I have a protein shake (mostly because I don't like to eat in the morning - never have). Then I set the timer for an hour. When it dings, I drink 32 oz of liquids. Then I set the timer for 30 minutes. Then I eat, usually 2 cheese sticks & 2 slices of turkey. Then I set the timer for 1 hour. Eat dinner (usually chicken and 1/4 C veggies). Then I set the timer for 1 hour and drink some coffee. Set the timer for 30 minutes and eat a protein bar. Then I am done for the day. It's a pain in the a$$, but otherwise, I don't think I would remember to eat until I was in the middle of a really bad hypoglycemic episode. I'm 5'3-1/2" and weigh 140, which is my goal weight. I've maintained it for 11 months now. Hope it helps to know that you are not alone. XOXOXO, Sharyn

thanks so much sharyn! yes, it helps to know i am not alone, but more importantly...i am not crazy! LOL i could try the timer thing since i am out of work right now. i hate the idea of eating when i'm not hungry, but i know i have to. i was also thinking of doing the 4-5 smaller "meals" since i really don't eat much in one sitting. and then of course, there's the dreaded protein drink. LOL my doc prefers we get our protein from food, which i was thrilled about. but i also know he has no problem with me using them if i am not getting enough. that may be another road i have to travel. thanks for your input. i appreciate it! hugssssssss

Hey, MJ! I do get hungry some real, some not... LOL!... but I basically eat by the clock and have all along my journey. I was diabetic pre-op and know the importance of keeping the blood sugars stable all day long. If I skipped meals... I'd be at risk and I hate feeling low sugars plus it's dangerous. If coffee is replacing meals... you should skip it. Easier said then done, eh? LOL! I guess the question is are you avoiding eating for fear of regaining? Are you addicted to the act of losing? Is it too important for you to keep seeing the number go down? Does it still bring you joy or is it scaring you? I think many of the answers to questions like this could help let you know if it is an eating disorder. Eating disorders are NOT that unusual after this surgery. Good luck, hon! Glad you are seeing a nutritionist. Hugs, Kathy

(((kathy))))) i guess coffee does replace my breakfast. i don't feel like i can eat in the mornings, so i usually have a ff/sf vanilla latte from starbucks. but i have been trying to save $$$ and started making my own iced coffees at home with sf vanilla syrup. so i make 2 or 3 a day now! maybe i should cut down.... now i'm thinking about your questions. fear of regaining? definitely. but i am not consciously avoiding eating because of that fear. i don't know if i am addicted to the act of losing. i know ever since i reached my goal of 120, i have had the hardest time trying to figure out how to maintain. i know i am afraid of adding calories, carbs or whatever because i don't want to regain. i guess in all honesty i would say that i would rather lose than gain, if i can't figure out the maintenance part. it is not important for me to see the number on the scale go down. but when it does, there is a part of me that is happy to see a lower number. why??? i can't even answer that myself. i don't know if i am happy to see it lower or just happy that its not higher. i am going to be very honest with the nutritionist. maybe a therapist would be a good idea. you asked if it is scaring me to see the number go down on the scale....and really it scares me that it DOESN'T scare me. hugsssssssssssss

Hey, sweetie! I think because we've hated the number on the scale for so very long that we always think lower=better which isn't necessarily the case. To maintain weight, you have to play with your diet. That is a foreign concept and I know that adding more food in is scary. You need to bump up your intake little by little and where you stop losing. If you regain a wee bit, don't panic. Do this on a week by week basis. Try to eat a steady amount and then increase a bit. I know my surgeon recommends eating every 3-4 hours. It keeps your metabolism constantly working. Yes you get a bit hungrier but that IS because it is working more efficiently. My sister's idea of a diet for a long while was two venti iced SF lattes - one for morning, one for afternoon and then dinner. So maybe 300 cals for the milk in the 2 lattes and dinner. That is very low calorically. Metabolisms get adjusted to those levels unfortunately. Therapy is always a good idea. I'm waiting on a call back from mine. Not for food stuff but other things. I have a great therapist. Haven't seen her in 2 years but boy is it comforting to know she is a phone call away and we can pick right up from where we left off. I think you are doing the right thing seeing the nutritionist and being completely honest. Let them help you form a healthy way of eating so that your body gets the nutrition it needs and keeps you healthy. Don't be afraid of what they tell you. Work with them. Try it. If you are resisting what they tell you... therapy may be a good idea. Be well, honey, be well! Hugs, Kathy

Me Hi there! Just a little past 3 years, and still not hungry. Now and then, but usually I eat because "It's time." It's hardest, first thing in the morning, but I eat because I'm supposed to. So far, that's kept my blood work and such perfect, and I've maintained my loss for around 2 years. I've got about 4 pounds that go up or down depending on the day of the week, but for the most part, I'm at a "flatline." I have found when I "get off my schedule," and miss a mal early in the day, I'm hungry that evening. As long as I stick to my routine, I'm not. I get most all of my protein from food, and rarely have protein shakes. And I also eat 5 to 6 "mini-meals" each day because that's how I was set up to eat by my nutritionist and Bariatric Guy. So Far, So Good. Glad to see you over on the "Old-Azzes" Board! Best Wishes- Dx

thank you, dx! glad to be here with all you wise people! your routine does sound like something that would be fitting for me. i hate being "afraid" of everything. for example, i think "well, maybe if i eat string cheese for a meal or a snack, i can get protein in at least:. but then i think, well what if the cheese constipates me and then no bms and then i gain, etc.... you get the idea. i have to get out of this mindset. but at the same time, i think this mindset helps me to stay successful thus far. sometimes i feel like i have lost my mind! LOL i will discuss this with the nutritionist to see if she can't help me come up with a meal plan. something i can stick with. thanks again for your reply! hugssssssss

You guys are so lucky I am hungry all the time and have to be very careful when and what i eat. I have felt hunger from the start. I guess it will be something i always have to deal with. good luck, Terri

Hey girl, I haven't seen you in forever. Ok now.....it's time to refocus. I'm going to email you off line in a bit ok? Hugs, Dana