No appetite

[Trastan]

Hello, I am now 20 days post op and have no appetite at all. I am struggling introducing new foods as I have to force myself to eat. I can't seem to even get my protein shakes in. I went out yesterday and bought a fit bit and suddenly realized that my calorie intake was less then 300 yesterday and I burned 1200. This scares me as I don't want to start losing muscle. Did anyone else struggle trying to force themselves to eat?

[Donald G]

I have days when I'm not hungry but I force myself to eat. I don't think mine is anyone near as severe as yours is though, I would suggest calling your surgeon.

[Tamera2]

I agree with Don. My experience more like his. I usually don't have trouble getting down my food/protein drink I'm supposed too but occasionally its harder than others. Have you tried smelling/ cooking something yummy and see if that doesn't turn a switch in your brain and make you hunger? food for thought, No poun intended.

[Christie13]

I did not have a lot of appetite either. I did get a lot of heart burn in the beginning though. I struggled to get in my protein and fluids. I am doing a lot better now at 20 weeks. It will get better. I did not count my calories but I know I was eating very little. And I had to have the protein shakes for sure. I usually only drank one a day. My typical day was a tall nonfat latte, a bit of meat and veggie, and a protein shake. I was not eating much but it did get better. If you are really concerned, speak with your surgeon.

[Kindle]

Don't worry, this will change, but n the meantime you HAVE to eat and drink. It was a huge struggle for me for at least 4 months. Didn't want to eat or drink anything. But I did. Treated my protein and fluid requirements like a life saving prescription medication....not meeting them wasn't an option. I had no appetite and no interest in food but undertook the chore of eating and drinking every day. I seriously wished I could spend just one whole day not having to eat/drink. Then finally around 6 months out I realized I was actually enjoying a meal. Had my full appetite back by 10-12 months.

Definitely work hard to get more in. Only 300 calories at 3 weeks out is killing your metabolism and without the protein you definitely are losing muscle....it's easier for your body to extract needed energy from your muscle tissue than to burn fat.

[Nitasjourney]

I'm 17 days post op. Getting all my protein in and water but not to in to food right now. Somedays I'll eat nothing just protein shakes and water and other days I have a little bit of food (refried beans or eggs) around 5 bites

[Tommy1969]

Have you tried cream based soups? During week's 2-4 post op this is what seemed to help me as they were easier to get down. Like you, I really don't get hungry any more, is more of a weak energy feeling. Are you drinking the shakes cold or room temperature? I find that the Premier Stawberries N Cream at room temperature goes down very smoothly in contrast to the vanilla and chocolate.

Another quick fix for me was 50% fat free re-fried beans and 50% chicken broth and fat free sour cream warmed up in microwave. This also went down better than other foods.

I am 6 weeks Post Op now and just started introducing regular foods again, albeit not that much at a time and conscientious that it needs to be high in protein. I had a very small portion of Shrimp Lo Mien Friday night which was a nice treat.

Best of luck to you and as others have noted reach out to surgeon and/or nutritionist for advise.

Regards

Tommy

[sraebaer]

You need to get in your required grams of protein and ounces of liquid, weather you're hungry or not. Just do it! I would sip all day on Isopure, it counted towards my liquids and protein.