Question:
I feel ill whenever I think of food, let alone eat it. Has this happened to anyone?

I am 8 weeks post-op. I read all these comments from people about eating too much - I have the opposite problem. I feel sick almost constantly (I'm not pregnant!) and smells really bother me. Nothing tastes good, so I don't want to eat. It's not even that I vomit - I just feel "blah". My energy level is way down too - I can't even exercise. Does this go away eventually?    — Adrienne E. (posted on May 15, 2001)

May 15, 2001
I bet we have all been there. I know in the very beginning I was nauseated all the time, but now at 4 weeks I am starting to feel better. You might feel sick from lack of eating. Are you vomiting every time you eat? Are you drinking protien drinks? I'm sure you are feeling tired because of the lack of nutrients. I find on the days I can't eat much I am very lethargic. I am sure it will get better eventually. There is a website for post op. eaters, this might help you, It has helped me for sure. [email protected]
   — Kim B.

May 15, 2001
I felt this same way until maybe 3 months post-op, then the "sick" feeling went away. However, I am now 14 months post-op, and still have no hunger and no interest in food whatsoever. When I consider my previous obsession with food.... how it looked and tasted and smelled.... and how that very obsession took me straight to 325 lbs., I consider my surgery and the subsequent loss of interest in food to be the most wonderful blessing. Some post-ops are not easily able to get past grieving their "lost" relationship with food...it has given me the greatest pleasure to let that go. My daughter also has had WLS, and had more difficulty with smells than I did, but that seemed to bother her less and less after 3-4 months post-op. Best of luck to you....I think that this is temporary for most post-ops.
   — Diana T.

May 15, 2001
Funny...I was just getting ready to post my own question..just like yours! I am 5 weeks post op today..and can't think about food without wanting to yack. I'm barely getting in my liquids...I'm dizzy and have absolutely NO energy whatsoever. I was curious as to how long this last and what I can do to make myself eat?? I don't throw up after eating..I just feel yuck after. I think I could go all day without eating. I know this isn't good for me and I do need help. I too can't exercise..just don't feel up to it..always tired. Will this ever go away?!
   — [Anonymous]

May 15, 2001
I felt exactly the same way. At my one-month checkup, I mentioned it to my doctor. He said it was normal and gave me suppositories for the nausea. You will not believe how much better this made me feel. The nausea was debilitating. I am now 2.5 months and rarely feel nauseated at all. If I am it is usually because I have overeated, or eaten something that doesn't agree with me, like eggs or meat. My suggestion is to talk to your doctor immediately and get something for it. You won't have any energy until you start getting your body some nurishment. Good luck to you.
   — Dorothy T.

May 15, 2001
I felt exactly the same way. At my one-month checkup, I mentioned it to my doctor. He said it was normal and gave me suppositories for the nausea. You will not believe how much better this made me feel. The nausea was debilitating. I am now 2.5 months and rarely feel nauseated at all. If I am it is usually because I have overeated, or eaten something that doesn't agree with me, like eggs or meat. My suggestion is to talk to your doctor immediately and get something for it. You won't have any energy until you start getting your body some nurishment. Good luck to you.
   — Dorothy T.

May 15, 2001
I'm 9 weeks post op and have the same problem. I can't watch t.v. because the food commercials make me ill. I have to force myself to eat. I did notice that my energy level went up when I started to force myself to drink water. BELIEVE me this was not easy. I still have a hard time with drinking water. I truly think that water is the key. I hope that this sick feeling everytime I think about food is something that doesn't last forever. I can't believe that i can't stand the sight of food. I never in a million years thought that I would be like this. Hope everything turns out good for you!
   — S.A. C.

May 15, 2001
The exact thing happened to me. For the first 4 weeks I suffered through it. Didn't even think about eating because of the nausea, plus no energy. At my 4 week checkup with Dr. Vaughan, I told him about it. He gave me suppositories for nausea. The results were amazing. I started feeling like a real person again. Talk to your Dr. and he can give you something for it. The nausea is not unusual but it is unnecessary. Good luck!
   — Dorothy T.