Question:
Almost 5 weeks P.O.-not hungry this last week..HELP!

It seemed for the first 4 weeks I have been doing well and eating and at times even feeling a bit of hunger, but suddenly these last 4 days or so I have become completely disinterested in food...not hungry, bored by the whole idea of eating..I can not find an appetite for eating anything...I try to force myself to have something, but worry that I am not getting the protein I need in. It seems that the only thing this week that I want is water or watermelon. This morning I tried to have a glass of protein shake and only got about a quarter in...for lunch I was able to eat about a quarter cup of oatmeal with lactaid free milk and that is it, threw the rest out...I am really scared b/c I don't understand why suddenly I am just not hungry and most food sounds completely unappealing to me..HELP..advice sooo welcome.    — Trish R. (posted on August 22, 2002)

August 22, 2002
Don't worry about it! We are so used to being overweight and being hungry all the time, that we freak out when we're not hungry. Just eat the amount of meals your surgeon recommended and you will do fine, and if you can't eat much at those meals, then so be it. Some days are better then others, just like some days you're hungrier then others. You never can tell what kind of day it's going to be till you wake up :) I'm 9 weeks post op and still never hungry.
   — BroncosMom

August 22, 2002
Listen, I would trade with ya, if I could. The first few months when you have zero appetite; it is SO NICE not to feel the burden of NEEDING or even DESIRING food. Secretly I think we feel EMPOWERED because finally, we are losing weight! and we are not hungry! we have control over the food! It messes with your mind! For so long food controlled us, now we control food. Unfortunately, you need the protein now, because otherwise in about 3-4 months you'll be back posting that your "hair has started coming out in chunks", that it "scares you" and "you're positive NO one has lost this amount of hair" or you'll ask "when will it stop" etc. etc. or "should I take biotin" - "should I wash with Nioxin"- what should I do?". Well the answer is protein. You will see the hair loss phase (no matter what!) and perhaps concentrating on your protein now may lessen this- you don't know! Most times it is the affect of anesthesia, but it also could be a lack of protein. So why risk it? At least tell yourself, if I do not eat this- my hair loss may be worse. Also, a reason to eat now- PLATEAUS! If you do not maintain a certain amount of calories, you will be back here, worried this time perhaps "I've stopped losing!" "Did I fail the surgery?" "Did I stretch my pouch" or I weigh hourly and "the scale went up!" You want to experience a steady weight loss, so your body accepts it willingly. Food is your body's fuel, exercise will require it. Your body may be a steady loser if you maintain this practice. Your plateaus may be over quicker, or easier to break if your body isn't so shocked. Also, the last and most important reason, you need to focus on what is GOOD FOOD. Take this time to really train yourself to eat well- you say your not hungry- well- that is the BEST time to learn new habits with food. Experiment! Learn new dishes. Find what you like. Train yourself now! Eat up, my friend, eat- just like your exercise program or water intake, it is a necessary chore. Figure out some way to comply with what your body requires even if it is a pain, and you may just be happier a few months down the road.
   — Karen R.