No hunger after surgery...how to I know the right amount to eat?

[abrow218 0]

So I am about 10 days post-surgery and I have not regained my hunger back. I understand it depends on the person on when or if it will return. However, without the feeling of hunger I do not have the need to eat. I have to keep track my the clock or eat when other people are around and schedule with there meals. But I am having some troubles knowing the right about to eat. It kind of depends on what the item is but if I always have the feeling of fullness, when do you know to eat or how much to eat at a time?

[melvin5ft2 56]

I had handouts from my surgeons mandatory gastric sleeve nutrition class. At 2 weeks I went to pureed from only liquids.I eat super slow using an infant spoon(purchased at the dollar store for 12 for a dollar). I also got some 1/4 cup sized little disposable sauce type cups with lids. I put my food in those, and so far I really cannot eat more than that. I was given a whole host of written guidelines for daily Protein goals and water/fluid goals. Right now I'm drinking my protein between my 2 ounce 'meals'.

[melvin5ft2 56]

Also wanted to.mention that I haven't felt hungry. I have been thirsty though. Made the mistake of taking 3 sips of Water in quick sucession the other day. Major pain and discomfort. Will try to remain more mindful.

[FrankyG 1,450]

You may not feel real hunger for months if not a year.

You need to set reminders to eat every few hours, and you need to be weighing/measuring your food portions for each meal. Please consult your nutritionist to see how much you should be eating (sizing, Protein amounts, total daily calorie goal, etc.) at your current stage.

Also, make sure to drink lots of Water (or milk, or broth, or flavored sugar free drink mix) so you don't get dehydrated. Just no drinking with eating (and should wait a minimum of a half hour after eating so you don't wash the food out of your stomach faster).

Not only can you make yourself sick from not eating and drinking properly, you can cause your body to stall out as it might think you're in starvation mode, so get on a schedule ASAP to avoid that!

Edited July 29, 2016 by FrankiesGirl

[kmorri 1,689]

You've received good advice so far. It really depends on what food stage you're on. If you're on pureed stage you should be having between a quarter cup to a half cup....but do check with your nutritionist because all plans are different and you want to be doing what your specific plan calls for.....Once you move to more solid food it will be easier to determine how much to eat as you will feel it!....For example I usually weigh out about 2oz of meat and put a small amount of veggies on my plate.....my plan says to eat my Protein first and very seldom do I have room for any veggies....sometimes I can't eat all of the 2oz of meat.....My hunger hasn't come back and I'm almost 10 weeks post op.....although I'm not hungry I don't feel full all the time.....and actually feeling full is something I avoid as it's uncomfortable....sort of like an elephant sitting on my chest......it take time but you will learn your body's new signals.....

Good luck!!!

[JamieLogical 8,708]

It is INCREDIBLY important, whether you feel hungry or not, to eat on a schedule and measure your food in the early weeks post-op. DO NOT rely on any signals from your body for anything at this point.

[Dub 9,922]

At ten days, my plan didn't involve eating anything. I was on 3 Protein shakes a day.

[Ryan TN 348]

Enjoy the no hunger part. it doesn't last forever and is a perk of the surgery. I don't get very hungry and I'm 9 months post op. Make sure you are tracking what you take in and meet your nutritional goals that i hope your weight loss center or surgeon gave you. As long as you meet your goals, you're fine.

[SilentBotts 138]

You'll want to just plan your portion sizes and meal times around hitting any Protein or calorie goals your surgeon/NUT gave you. You want to try to stick to three meals a day with no more than one snack, grazing through out the day can lead back to bad eating habits.

[triplethreat 257]

I have a food scale and I weigh everything. I can eat about 2 oz right now. I have to make myself eat because I don't feel hungry. I think that I over ate yesterday and I felt awful... Like flu. Since I can't really tell if I'm full I'm using the measurements, eating very slowly, and focusing on evenly distributing Protein among three meals.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[JamieLogical 8,708]

You'll want to just plan your portion sizes and meal times around hitting any Protein or calorie goals your surgeon/NUT gave you. You want to try to stick to three meals a day with no more than one snack, grazing through out the day can lead back to bad eating habits.

Actually every plan is different when it comes to the number of meals/snacks. While grazing is never a good idea, my nut had me eating 5-6 times a day. Definitely follow your nutritionist's/surgeon's plan!

[indgrip 4]

I am 6 weeks out and I cant each much either. Even if I overeat by a little bit I throw up. Is it possible for your surgeon to cut your stomach too much

I once tried to drink some Water too fast after eating and again threw up.

[JamieLogical 8,708]

I am 6 weeks out and I cant each much either. Even if I overeat by a little bit I throw up. Is it possible for your surgeon to cut your stomach too much

I once tried to drink some Water too fast after eating and again threw up.

At 6 weeks, you are still healing. I promise it will get easier over time. You will regain some capacity and your stomach won't be as sensitive.