Question:
Why does my appetite fluctuate

I am a little over 3 months post-op., open RNY. 60 pounds down. My question is why does my appetite go up and down like a yo-yo? One day I can barely force down a protein drink and my water, and then the next day I can eat like a lion. The same amount of food that on one day causes me to feel stuffed, on another day doesn't even begin to fill me up. Example: the several days ago, I had a protein shake for breakfast, and 1/2 cup of cottage cheese in the evening, which I forced down. A couple of days later, throughout the day, I had half a banana, a chicken tostada(small), half an English muffin w/cheese and pepperoni, a double cheeseburger without the bun, and 1/4 of a cup of trail mix(raw nuts, dried fruit, chopped up protein bars). Why does my appetite go up and down, and will this be a permanent thing or will it even out over time? Oh, I forgot to mention--on the days when my appetite is small, I dump easier, and must eat more slowly or I will have pain. On the days when I am very hungry, I can eat faster and never have any dumping. Thanks in advance for your answers.    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on November 23, 2004)

November 22, 2004
hi and congrads on your weight loss. First and formost never force your self to eat. You will stretch your pouch out. There are days when I am very hungry and days where I am not. That does seem like a lot for only being three months out. If you are feeling hungry maybe drink a little more. Or eat a protien bar. Remember this is a marathon and not a race. good luck
   — T. Rosario

November 23, 2004
I feel the exact same way. I'll usually bring the same amount of food for lunch that I had for dinner the night before. Sometimes I can only eat a portion of what I ate for dinner and sometimes I feel like I could eat more. There is just a trigger that I have that tells me to stop eating and whenever it comes, I listen to it and never force myself to eat more or less.
   — shannondab

November 23, 2004
If you think of it, what you are experiencing is what a normal person goes through with their appetite. I would caution you about the days that you seem to be able to eat faster, don't do it. You should still take your time eating your meals and snacks so you are aware of when you feel full. And the days that you have no appetite and seem to dump, are you maybe drawn to those types of food that normally make you dump? I do not dump so I cannot give you much more advice on that issue maybe someone else that does can help you with it. I politely disagree with another poster that says that you should not force yourself to eat if you are not hungry that you will stretch you pouch. Stretching your pouch will come from when you force more than the recommended amount of food into it (ie: 1/2 cup at a meal) than you are supposed to eat and doing this on a continuace basis. I was instructed to get in my 3 meals and 3 snacks in a day even if I do not feel like eating. You need the nutrients and calories for your body to sustain itself. Good luck. Christine
   — ChristineB