Question:
I am not hungry and I never feel full. Should I worry?

I had lap RNY surgery on 1/21/09. I am doing pretty good. I have lost about 21 lbs so far (weeks out). I have not been hungry at all (mental hunger yes, but not physical hunger). But I am also not feeling full. I have strayed once from my full liquid diet, I know I shouldn't have but I did. My worry is that since I'm not feeling hungry, I will also not feel full. The time I strayed I ate some chicken (3 to 4 small pieces - that I ate very slowly and chewed until they were almost liquid in my mouth). I though for sure I would feel full after that, but I didn't. Is this something I should worry about? Or not really cause if I'm not feeling hungry I probably won't eat as much anyway? Any advice would be great. Melissa    — fairyprincessme (posted on February 6, 2009)

February 6, 2009
I didn't feel hunger for 2 years! I felt full though which is something all RNYers need to avoid. It hurts really badly the first year. Don't do that! Learning to eat til you are no longer hungry is really what you should take this time to learn how to master...Listening to the little signs from your pouch is something new and alien! It feels NOTHING like your old stomach...It can be grouchy, achy, crampy, and just plain angry or completely calm and almost non existant...and sometimes it will give you little twinges of warnings to stop eating... NOW! I know exactly when I've eaten too much sugar and brace myself...I know when I've taken one bite too many! You will need to focus on what you feel an learn to listen to your pouch...Once hunger came back, I was acutely aware that this might be trouble...and really it wasn't...you just have to control your servings, don't over eat and be aware of the head hunger vs the real hunger (when that happens). Right now, for your stage of the journey, it's soooo easy to ignore the head hunger because there just is NO hunger pangs! Take advantage of that! But don't "forget" to eat either! You'll be fine!
   — .Anita R.

February 6, 2009
Melissa, Hi. Try some pudding or yogurt; since these are semi-solid. Applesauce too. Soft food being key here; nothing chunky. Then you probably will feel full; check with your doc. This is mostly trial and error. Anyway, real concern check with your doc. Good Luck and God Bless, vinnigirl, retired RN
   — vinnigirl

February 7, 2009
Hi Melissa, I had my surgery in December,I am the same way I don't feel hungry and I have no feeling of being full. I have found that I really have to make sure of my portion sizes because I don't have a feeling of being full I have had issues with over eating by 1 or 2 bites and then I end up throwing up this foamy stuff. However once I get rid of the foam I feel fine. I assumed this is how everyone feels so I have never questioned it. I have had to make myself eat because I never feel hungry, only head hunger when someone around me is eating something that looks really yummy.
   — Marcie H.

February 7, 2009
I had surgery 10 months ago, I am never hungry. I just eat when I know I have to. But when I do eat the wrong thing or too much I throw up foamy stuff also. I was hoping that would go away. Just be glad you don't feel hunger, I have read that some people still feel hungry. Use the fact that your not hungry as a tool in your first year. The first year is the best weight loss and sit back and enjoy that food no longer rules your life.
   — okbuffy