Question:
3 weeks post-op..still not eating...getting a little concerned!!

I am a little over 3 weeks post-op lap RNY & would just rather not eat. I know this is horrible but I just don't like anything! This is really starting to concern me. I've lost almost 40 LBS. all ready (not that I'm complaining about that..LOL). I keep trying different things hoping something will catch my attention but NOTHING appeals to me. I'm having a hard time adjusting to eating slow or taking little bites because I was such a fast eater before. I end up feeling YUK most of the time after I eat & get fed up with it. I just don't eat anymore because I don't want to feel like crap from something not agreeing with me or eating it too quickly. I will only eat maybe a few bites of soup then maybe 4 bites of a baked potato & that's it all day!! Is this normal? I'm afraid I'll have a problem with malnutrition. I do take my vitamins though.    — Allison T. (posted on May 5, 2002)

May 4, 2002
Hi, Allison. Sorry you're feeling so yucky. I'm still pre-op, so I may not have any business answering this question. But, I remember my surgeon telling us not to get worried about the small amount of food we'll be eating early on. He said that eating so little over a LONG period of time could result in malnutrition, but initially, it's okay. He said the biggest concern in the early stage is hydration. And at least you're taking your vitamins, so I'm sure you'll be just fine. Good luck!
   — Kristie B.

May 4, 2002
You will do fine. You can't let your body do without completely. Stick very closely to your diet plan. Intake is very important. The reason that we had this surgery is to CHANGE what was wrong before. Take your time. SLOW DOWN WHEN YOU EAT. That is important. One of my problems was eating too fast. Now I enjoy every bite I get and TASTE it. You will find something that will spark you taste buds, but not if you give up on eating totally!!!!
   — Sherrie G.

May 5, 2002
Hello Allison, I am 5 weeks post op, and just now coming out of the awful period you are in. Trust me, there is light at the end of the tunnel! I was really worried that I woud never be able to eat anything again, without being sick, but the period you are in does pass. Since I am so close to what you are going through now, I just had to reassure you that it is just temporary. My inclination was not to eat at all, like you, but I found that if I didn't eat, I felt even sicker and more nauseous. I would wake up in the morning nauseous, and think, there is no way I can eat some breakfast. Sometimes that sick feeling you are experiencing is actually hunger. I think it's the way our new insides express the need for food...different from the way we felt hungry before. One thing I had to do was stop drinking Instant Breakfast and all milk products for a while, as they were really making me sick.Something that is a life saver for me is rice cakes, extremely digestable, and almonds, easy to eat, convenient, and they chew into a powder that goes down easily. Also diet TANG tastes more refreshing to me than water.Rice and beans, when you are ready is another very digestible meal, and makes a complete protein.One thing I didn't understand at first was how important the moisture content of the food is, for going down smoothly. I kept trying to eat tuna and chicken, and couldn't, but found when it was mixed with free mayo or broth, I could get it down. Same with eggs, I tried a hard boiled egg, and it stuck, but scrambled, and egg salad went down fine. In this 5th week, most everything is going down better, but I still must eat small bites, and slowly. Believe me, you will feel better, not worse, if you can get some protein in. Good luck and know that things are going to get better and easier!
   — Lynn S.

May 5, 2002
Since we're on clear liquids (plus protein supps, no milk, no sugar, and vites) for 4 weeks, the idea of no food doesn't scare me. As long as you are nutritionally sound with good quality protein (not Ensure/Boost or CIB + milk), and your vites are going down AND you've got plenty of water, solid food is really not critical just yet. When you do want to eat, measure out a 1-2 oz portion and make yourself take 15 min to eat it. I read while I eat when I'm alone to slow me down. I'm not a fan of the force feeding method. Keeps us too food focused when we're trying to break the habit. And I'm not sure that replacing your desire for food with a pain-association is healthy, either. Just put food into perspective. Nice, but not today, thank you. When it's not PRESSING you, then maybe you will feel OK about small portions again?
   — vitalady