Question:
Is it normal to not want to eat?

Is it normal to not really want to eat? I don't even want to put anything in my mouth. I'm really having trouble with the texture of food. I guess it is because I have to chew it so long that it is mushy and then I feel the texture and it makes me gag. Will I get past this stage? Cheryl    — Trin2rilax Cheryl McCoy (posted on October 8, 2003)

October 7, 2003
Yes it is normal not to want to eat but the reason i do not want to is just cause im not hngry. You have got to eat to lose cause last mth . I did not eat hardly at all and i did not lose much weight at all.I will be 6mts ot on the 16th of this mth. So im trying to get 15pds gone by then so it will be 100 pds gone by my 6th mth mark.Good luck to you
   — wildbrat

October 7, 2003
Cheryl, Absolutely this is normal. After my surgery, I found that eating was a lot of work and wasn't enjoyable anymore. It seemed that all I did was eat and drink. My first day of regular foods, I took a bite of something, chewed twice and then swallowed. Let's just say the pain taught me the importance of chewing up everything to mush. I am 5 months out now and still don't get hungry. I eat because I have to, not because I want to and many time have to remind myself that I need to eat. Hang in there and make sure you are getting in all your protein and water.
   — jmusser

October 7, 2003
Me too. I am 20 months out and still have no hunger. I get weak. I just know I have to eat and try to keep things "on hand" that are good for me instead of just easy to get to. Sometimes I hate the thought of cooking or eating out but I take it all in stride and count my blessings.
   — Oldsoul

October 8, 2003
Yes this is perfectly normal and you will get past this stage. It is important to either eat or take a supplement. Drink your water and exercise. Good Luck to you.
   — snicklefritz

October 8, 2003
I've been going through that same thing too, except I'm 8 months out. If you are further out than a new post-op, you may not have to chew so much that everything becomes mushy. It depends on what you're eating. I think that this is a stage that can come and go for some of us. At least, it comes and goes for me. Good luck-- I think it will pass!
   — lizinPA

October 8, 2003
TOTALLY normal. I am 10 wks today and still feel that way. I experienced those texture gross outs. I posted about it and someone wrote back to tell me they called it the "food revulsion stage". People have said it goes away and the hunger returns. I can say that I am not SOOOOO grossed out by everything now at 10 wks but I will ever, ever, ever eat certain things again - those were the things that grossed me out at week 3 and 4. Fat nodules in meatballs...yuck. And I was such a hog before. It's kind of funny to be this way now. I had some emotional issues with it all because it was so drastic. Just this last Saturday, I went to a Mexican restaurant with a friend and ate most of the topping off of one piece of mex pizza. I started to gross out on the smell of canned chicken but I put the thoughts outof my mind so I could get some nutrition in. Food is never "fun", "exciting" or something I look forward to. It is a chore - something I do to survive and that's it. for now, I am grateful because this is one of the things assisting me to be so successful!
   — Donya P.

October 8, 2003
Hey Cheryl - I have almost completely lost my apetite since I had this surgery. It's a strange phenomena because I'd really like to want to eat but I just don't feel like it. I agree with you about the texture of food as well. I've stopped eating most red meat because of all the cheewing. AT this point I eat to sustain myself, but I'm ok with that. I spend a lot of time standing in front of the fridge looking for something that appeals to me but usually just grab something easy and walk away. My wife laughs that I'm wearing a path from the fridge to the pantry from walking back and forth between them looking for something to eat. I think you'll get past the stage where you're turned off to the mushiness of the food, but I also think you may just decide to stay away from things that seem unappealing for that same reason, such as bread, rolls and tough meats, but you'll have to work your way through it. Good luck to you. - Mike
   — Michael N.

October 8, 2003
Add me to the list - I am 18 months out and have a hard time eating. Never would've imagined in a million years that this would be a problem. I don't get hungry, I dump easily and do not care for the feel of food in my mouth or my stomach. Everyone keeps telling me that it will change, and how "lucky" I am... but I know I am not losing as fast I could be, or as much (even though I am thrilled with where I am at). I am pretty active so I know that not eating enough is bad. I just have to force down every meal. Good luck, Cheryl! -shelli
   — kultgirl