Question:
Is anyone else not hungry? everything makes me gag.

The things that i could eat before I cannot eat now. I am 3 months post-op and all meat makes me ill. I still can't drink enough water and my calorie count is around 350. Water intake is 24-30 ozs tops.    — Laura C. (posted on October 2, 2001)

October 2, 2001
I am now 1 year post op and I feel the same way you do about most meats. Red meat makes me gag. I do eat chicken and fish sometimes but I try to stay away from it most of the time so I don't get gassy. I too have problems getting all of my water in but I work on it each day. You need to find some types of food that you can tolerate because your intake is really low. If you want to talk just let me know.
   — Sherri M.

October 2, 2001
Hi, I too dont love red meat and cannot eat chicken as of this point...(im 6 wks out). I have opted to get my proteins thru beans....in soups and stews and I love this. I also had some try to drink my water...so I add crystal light to it...but I make it and freeze it so it stays cold all day at work....It makes it more enjoyable! Hope this helps...
   — Melissa S.

October 2, 2001
Meat is not a necessary food--even for WLS patients. You can get all the protein you need through non-meat sources. Please check into vegetarian sources of meat. I am vegetarian and get all my protein this way. Here are some ideas: beans (legumes), nuts, seeds, nut butters - i.e. peanut butter, dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, soybean products such as tofu, tempeh, TVP (texturized vegetable protein), seitan (wheat gluten which has been mixed with broth and boiled, broiled or fried. Not to mention there are thousands of meat substitute products in the stores now. For example, Garden Burgers, meatless sausage, meatless hotdogs. The list goes on and on. Get yourself a good vegetarian cookbook and have some fun. Just because you had WLS doesn't mean you can't enjoy good food anymore. Best wishes to you.
   — artistmama

October 2, 2001
I am just over two weeks postop and I cannot eat meat. I do have a problem getting my water in, if my stomach is upset I try to drink things that are warm or room temp, it is easier on my stomach. Meat is oof of my menu, I toerate cheese well, beans, and tcby fat free sugar free yogurt. I know if I get too hungary I eat too fast and it makes me queazy, I hope that helps. I have had stomach surgery before so I kinda knew what I could or could not tolerate.
   — Loretta C.

October 2, 2001
Hi! I am 6 wks post op and was having the same problem. Eggs make me GAAAAAGGGGG!!! Before surgery I could have lived on them...My dr had to go back in at 5 wks and stretch the opening from my stomach to my intestine(did it thru my mouth) and now I can eat most anything and am not gagging hardly at all...The procedure has seemed to really help. I am having a hard time getting in all of my proteins and my water also...I try to add 2 more bites of food per sitting and 4 more ozs of water per day. This seems to work better for me than trying to cram down what everyone says to eat and drink...Work up to it...It's easier that way....Good Luck
   — Joi G.

October 2, 2001
Hi, I am 2 months post op and cannot eat meat, chicken, turkey, or fish. If I do attempt to eat them I soon throw them right back up. I get my protein from cottage cheese, cheese, and a protein shake once or twice a day. I am able to drink a lot of water. My suggestion to you is to try to drink more water everday, gradually. At an extra 2 to 4 oz everyday until you are up to 64 oz. This may take several days or weeks, but at least your getting more each day. I talked to my doc about the meat and not being able to eat it, and he said that sometimes it takes a while for your small pouch to adjust. Good Luck to you!
   — Carey N.

October 3, 2001
Everything changes after wls and you really have to figure out the changes and adjust. I'm four years post-op and I still can't eat beef. I can handle half of McD's burger but nothing else. I can't eat bread or rice. I make myself eat fish and baked chicken but I have no appetite for them. I eat them because I know I need the protien. I love boiled eggs and I eat one for breakfast almost every morning. Weird..because prior to wls, I hated boiled eggs. You really have to force the water. I still can't dring 8oz. at one time so I carry a bottle around at all times and sip...sip...sip. Caffeine free herb tea counts a water. If you can't eat much, try a low carb protein drink. Carb Solutions is a good one. It's a little pricey but if you drink one or two a day you will get the necessary protein, vitamins and minerals. Your calorie count seems much to low to me. If your body goes into starvation mode, you'll plateau.
   — [Anonymous]