Question:
Difficulty eatting 3 -6 small meals a day.

I had my Laproscopic rny Jan 31, 2008. I have lost 53lbs and I am estatic. I am concerned because I am finding it difficult to eat during the day. I am not hungry. I find myself eating when I am bored or trying to force myself to because I know I should. I know I am not getting enough protien, I drink the special K protein drinks through out the day. I noticed that I usually go through the entire day not eatting but at the end of the day, try to think of something to eat, just to have something in my stomache. Has anyone gone through this? How can I break this destructive habit?    — heartsablaze (posted on June 6, 2008)

June 5, 2008
You should be eating regular foods by now, some 5 1/2 months post op. I had RNY surgery 2 years ago. Normally this "non hunger" phase will last 2-3 months, then some appetite will return. You need more than Special K protein drinks for protein. Either get some protein shakes (Isopure from GNC, or others) or protein "bullets" to supplement your protein. You need about 75 grams of protein daily at your stage, and I seriously doubt your current Special K drinks supply anywhere near that. I had two 25 gram protein shakes daily for months after surgery. I still have 3-4 protein shakes each week to make sure I get enough protein. Shortages of protein will lead to muscle mass loss, potential infections, and a lot of other health issues. I'd consult your surgeon about this issue, and stronly urge you to attend monthly support group meetings for weight loss patients. You need to eat. Even if you eat every 2 hours, only small amounts of high protein. Dried peas are an excellent source of protein. They're inexpensive ($1.35 a pound), 6 grams per 1/4 cup, no refrigeration needed, crunchy texture to the taste, and are very easy to place in a ziploc baggy in your purse, pocket, console of your car, briefcase, etc. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

June 6, 2008
Tracy, You will harm your body if you do not eat at least three small meals a day. Now think aobut this. Would you go to work without stopping for gas it the tank was empty? Why do you do this to yourself. Plan your meals the night before. For breakfast have a choice of 7-10 items you like. Once a week I have poached eggs, and once a week I have scrambled eggs and cheese. If I know I am going to be rushed, I have fruit and yougart. Some times it is just some Bink Cherries that I eat in the car and a low fat, low sugar yougart drink. Other days I will have apple sauce and some cheese, as it is fast an easy when I am in a rush. For lunch, if I eat out with freinds, I order a small fruit or salad with chicken, or some other protein. I give half to a freind at lunch, because I can not eat it all, but I take 20-25 minutes to eat. At dinner, I set an alarm, so I try to eat by 6 PM. Then for a snack, so fruit or one ounce of nuts. I never eat anythiong in front of the TV or at my computer, and if I have to put something in my mouth, I make sure it is a water bottle. Now don't let your tank run empty or you will find your self in the repair shop (hospital) and take baratric vitamins. see www.bbvitamins as a good source for them. Best of success to you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

June 6, 2008
You got some good advice...and I'm gonna throw my 2 cents in now too! (Because I always do!) I didn't have much of an appetite either...but I knew I needed the nutrition and so I did eat and tried to make it mostly protein because I knew too that I was not getting enough being lactose in tolerant and not being able to handle Whey protein. That made it near impossible for me to get good protein numbers. BUT...what I did was eat on a schedule. Breakfast lucnch and dinner...NO matter what. I took my vits on a schedule too and make a check list to make sure I was getting what I needed in fot he day...After a few weeks of this...I had formed a habit that lasted me the next few years...After a while you just go on cruise control and lose all the ridgid guidelines and live your life as you should. Eventually, you will be able to get what you need. Just keep up with water, vits and try your best to get in as much protein as you can...Try it on a schedule and never force food if it makes you feel bad... Plan three meals and this should help you quite a bit...and when you have snacks in between...make them protein snacks for now...Even if it's just a slice of cheese or a boiled egg or a even half a protein drink is better than none. Good luck
   — .Anita R.

June 6, 2008
I am 3 years out and what you are feeling is normal. They are giving you good advice- schedule your meals. Be glad you are not feeling hungry because you can set good habits now. good luck.Dont worry about eating normal food either. It will not hurt you to stay on liquid or soft food as long as you get your protien and take fiber! Fiber is the concern about getting back to normal food. You need to keep the inside of you colon working properly and only fiber can do that.
   — Cdavis226

June 8, 2008
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! I know you must feel so much better! I'm a little over 2 years post-op and have lost a total of 210 lbs. At first, I was like you having a difficult time getting in all the meals and the drink too and worrying a great deal about it -- it seemed too much. The main thing I have done and I think it has served me well is that I buy the whey protein (The Vitamin Store is where I get mine). Just make sure the one you buy has no added sugar. Most of them have around 21 to 24 grams of protein per 1 cup serving. I mix it with nonfat milk to make it a total of 30 grams per serving and have two of those a day. Then I know I've had my protein for the day even if I don't get much other protein (but I usually do). Also, there are a good many foods that have added fiber and protein these days if you look for them. Special K has a protein cereal that has 10 grams of protein and I think 5 fiber, and Nature's Own makes a double fiber bread. Another thing is that (at least I think this is true) your stomach is still healing but eventually, you will work find a schedule that will be normal and right for you. I generally now eat five small meals per day: breakfast, lunch, dinner and a whey protein drink and sometimes a serving of All Bran crackers or something between meals.
   — skileysc