Question:
Should I Be Concerned?

I am 4 months out from open RNY and all of a sudden I have completely lost my appetite. For the first time in my life, I am actually FORGETTING to eat. I might get a mild gnawing in my stomach that signals I should eat but I'll take one bite and have absolutely no taste for anything further. I know many people would say for me to count my blessings because appetite does eventually return and often with a vengeance. But this has been going on for 2 weeks now, and it can't be healthy! I know I am not eating enough. I am still losing - 65 pounds so far and only 45 pounds from goal. But I don't want to put myself into starvation mode. Help???    — MomBear2Cubs (posted on September 25, 2003)

September 25, 2003
Hi there. I wanted to tell you that you are not alone. I am almost 8 months post op and am still going through periods when I don't eat or drink much for that matter AT ALL. It's not healthy and we both know that but it's a tough thing. I have not been able to pinpoint why I go through these times but I can say that I have come this far and I have to focus on what's important. Eating right, drinking my fluids, and exercising. Although we don't feel like eating and drinking we have to make ourselves do it. It's exciting to be just 45 pounds away from your goal. Let nothing stand in your way. I would like to make some suggestions to you for quick snacks/foods that may help you out with the non-eating. I often times go for string cheese, steamed veggies, sliced deli meat and cheese wrapped together, and fruit. My schedule is completely full daily so often times I find that these items tend to not only fill me up but gives me protein and nutrients that I need. Good luck.
   — Kitty Kat

September 25, 2003
Actually, most of us have this feeling right from the beginning. Never hungry, and just a little food is plenty satisfying. For those of us in this situation, we need to remind ourselves to eat. If I'm not careful, I start to feel lightheaded or just plan crummy - then I try to remember what I've had to eat - and once or twice the answer was almost nothing - like maybe one cheese stick at breakfast and nothing else, and it is close to dinner time. So, don't go into starvation mode - eat, but make your choices for your benefit - try to get in 500-1000 calories, 60 grams of protein (depending on your current muscle mass). Eat small, frequent amounts of protein with just a little bit of carb to balance you out. ~~~~~ What you are experiencing is a normal postop pattern. Because most days I don't feel any hunger at all, I drink a protein shake (unflavored whey protein from GNC) which counts as 30 grams of protein when I add it to 8 oz of milk, so that takes care of half my food right there. On a day that I am feeling like nibbling, I don't have the drink, and just enjoy the food - and even sometimes the taste is just not there. All part of the package.
   — bethybb