What if you are just not hungry?

[Junebug36 154]

Had surgery on Tuesday (June 10th)...I am supposed to be on Protein shakes today...and for the next week. Problem is, I am not hungry! I have gone three days with no food...just Clear liquids...and was told only eat when hungry..stop when full. So, I'm not sure if I should drink a shake just to drink it....or wait until my hunger returns? I have bariatric chewable Vitamins I take. So I am getting some nutrition from that. I can swallow down Clear Liquids fine. Just no desire for food or Protein Shakes.. Anyone else like this after surgery?

[catfish87 3,471]

My doctor required Clear Liquids for a week pre and post op. But I had plenty of "reserves"....

My suggestion would be just as you say your surgical team described....ONLY eat when you're hungry and allow your body to heal completely. There'll be plenty of time for eating later.

Best wishes for a speedy and successful recovery.

EDITED to add..... Not all surgeons....OR surgeries are going to have the same post op instructions....so it'd really be best to place a call to Your surgeons office.

Edited June 12, 2014 by catfish87

[RJ'S/beginning 5,358]

At this point you should be on clear liquids. And Protein shakes are part of the menu. It does not surprise me that you are not hungry. Your still swollen and raw inside. your still at the start of this and your body is trying to recoup from all the junk they gave you when you were in the hospital.

No, no drink some Protein Shakes. Or you will find that your hair will start to fall out....There will be times as you go along in this journey that you will be hungry or not. I find both still happen to me. But for you right now.....

Liquids are the ticket...

[Junebug36 154]

Yikes...I like my hair! I'm just not sure I can handle the thick shakes right now....maybe if I Water it down. Surgeon was big on getting Protein as soon as possible..hence the shakes starting days 2-10. I can eat mushies days 11-20.

[plopez 77]

Yikes...I like my hair! I'm just not sure I can handle the thick shakes right now....maybe if I Water it down. Surgeon was big on getting Protein as soon as possible..hence the shakes starting days 2-10. I can eat mushies days 11-20.

I also bought Biotin to help with my hair

Trying to be proactive.

[queenie47 45]

Try the Protein shots! I know they are not good for you long term but they will help you thru this week and they come in 3oz clear Fluid. Just a suggestion. Protein and Water are important right now so that you can heal and not get dehydrated.

[B-52 7,113]

I'm over 3 years out, soon to be 4..and still I am not hungry, no appetite...could care less about food....

But it is Imperative I get my daily Protein in, no matter what!

Or bad things will begin to happen....

[B-52 7,113]

Try the Protein shots! I know they are not good for you long term but they will help you thru this week and they come in 3oz clear Fluid. Just a suggestion. Protein and Water are important right now so that you can heal and not get dehydrated.

Why are they not good for you???

[Junebug36 154]

B-52, it's a weird thing not to care about eating, even when I smell food. Pre-band I was literally salivating and so freaking hungry. Now...nothing. So how do you know when to eat if you have had no appetite for so long? I'll have to look into the Protein shots... Who sells them? I should get Biotin too.

[Bandista 7,466]

My post-op instructions were to have something only when I'm hungry and not to have anything if I'm not hungry. And mostly I was not hungry at all. So I had my tea, popsicles, broth, etc., then later on mushies I had more things but just in very small amounts and then I felt satisfied. The idea is to really learn how to listen to the body. Post-op can be a taste of what it's like to be in the green zone later. I still don't have a particular Protein goal for number of grams, etc., but when I'm hungry I go right for the Protein automatically. I'm listening and that's what my body is asking for. For me, this really works, but of course every one is different. Also, I find the thickness of protein shakes to not work for me until a certain time of day -- and even then a really cold shake can feel like too much even when I am able to swallow real food just fine. Best wishes to you and congratulations on your surgery!