Question:
Is my body in starvation mode?

I've talked about this before, and maybe I just need to go to support meetings. But for over a month now, I am just never hungry. I have to force myself to eat. My day to day intake looks like this: <p>carnation instant breakfast w/ SKIM PLUS (has extra protein) milk <p>1oz cheddar cheese w/ 2 crackers <p>10oz ISOPURE <p>2oz fish or chicken w/ some kind of veggie <p>then sometimes a snack of pnb or a yogurt smoothie w/ a couple strawberries. <p> I always get 60-65 grams of protein a day, my doc really wants me to have 70-80. And i drink atleast 80 ounces of water. My bloodwork is all normal. I've lost 60 pounds in 3 1/2 months (I was 250 to start out). But i'm scared i'm going into starvation mode, i just never want to eat, nothing looks appealing. I am sick of eggs and yogurt (unless it's in a smoothie) Does anyone have any ideas? I know this honeymoon period won't last forever people said, and it's funny, who would've ever thought I'd have to force myself to eat, but I don't want to hurt my body either! THANKS!    — Lezlie Y. (posted on September 17, 2002)

September 17, 2002
Lezlie, starvation mode occurs when your body reacts to the decreased calories by holding on to the weight. One way to break it is to take in more calories. However, you didn't say your weight loss stopped, just that you aren't hungry. My surgeon told me to just make sure I got in the 70 grams of protein (whatever the source), my vitamins, and plenty of water and not to worry about eating unless I wanted to. Eventually your appetite will come back on it's own.
   — LLinderman

September 17, 2002
It appears that you are doing great! 60 lbs.!! I'm not much of a believer in 'starvation mode'. Everyone loses the most when they are taking in the least amount of food, then when they increase their caloric intake, the lose at a slower rate. Everyone is different of course, but when I consume more than 1000 calories, I stop losing weight. 800 cals a day is ideal for weight loss for my body. Enjoy this time that food doesn't interest you. That means that you are eating to live, not living to eat! You are doing fine!
   — Cheri M.

September 18, 2002
I WENT TO MY 6 WEEKS DR'S APPOINTMENT AND I TOLD HIM I WAS GOING TO STARVE TO DEATH,, I WASN'T GETTING ENOUGH FOOD INTO MY BODY TO SURVIVE,, HE LAUGHED!!! HE SAID, "YOU'RE FINE,," I TOOK THAT REMARK AS HIM SAYING I HAD ENOUGH FAT TO LIVE OFF OF.. LIKE OTHER POSTERS, YOUR O.K. IT JUST TAKES TIME.. HANG ON,, BEING AT GOAL IT IS JUST WONDERFUL,, NEVER SORRY A DAY I DID THIS, GOOD LUCK..
   — bruce M.

September 18, 2002
Leslie--sounds like you are doing everything right--great job! Do you like shrimp? crab? seafood is high and protein, low in fat and in my opinion--yummy! I also make manwich and nibble on that and I get the blue bunny healthy smart bars--4gr protein, no sugar and soooo good! Another protein source I use is Sport Cookie from www.protocookie.com They will mix and match the cases and they are sugar free with 15gr of protein. Hope this helps!!!
   — Bambi C.

September 22, 2002
It sounds to me that you are doing just fine. About 3 weeks after my surgery, I began throwing up everything-sometimes even water. I was like that for over two weeks until they began doing dilations-I have had 5 dilations so far-the last was 2 weeks ago. (The opening to my new stomach had almost closed completely-a rareity.) Anyway, I did go into "starvation mode" and didn't even get my period. As a result, I lost almost 30 lbs in 3 weeks...too fast! I am now at almost 2 months post-op and have lost a total of 52 pounds.
   — Jennifer R.