Do you ever enjoy food again?

It's been seven weeks since my operation and I just don't care if I eat again. Nothing tastes good and I'm in constant fear of dumping (which I haven't had yet) I get my protein mostly from protein drinks but have been advised to stop since it will hinder my weight loss down the road. The weight loss has been great almost 70 lbs but the forcing myself to eat thing is driving me nuts. I was so looking forward to eating regular food again but now that I can I just don't want to. Does it ever get better?

At seven weeks you can't eat enough to get in enough protein. What you can eat won't absorb enough to nourish you. Who told you protein drinks hinder weight loss? I'm two and a half years out and still drink it twice a day....If anything it helps you lose. Don't force yourself to eat, eat what you can for now, it' will all come in time. Are you getting in your water? That is very important to not get dehydrated. Being scared of dumping is a good thing though, don't test the waters. it gets better every day, the first few months are the hardest. Hugs Linda

hi Sharon.....i remember so much those feelings you are having right now. I felt very sad too thinking that i would never be able to eat and enjoy eating anymore. but it chnages over time and that is why right nowit is so important to do what your doc and nut tell you (although i agree with Linda that the protein drinks are strong assets to my continuing to lose). it took me a good 6-10 months before i could eat with any sense of enjoyment of it. So dont think you are abnormal because it is hard to eat right now. Just do the best you can and remember how you did the right thing in having the surgery and that the first year and even two years are full of all kinds of chnages...things you can eat, things you cant, things you can eat one day and not the next. But finally you get to a place where food doesnt rule your life. and that is such a gift. Please make sure you talk about your feelings--thats why we are here! hug rae

Sharon: The good news is you are TOTALLY normal. I would venture to guess just about everyone was in your shoes early on. I second guessed myself on the surgery at about 5 weeks out. Was it EVER going to be normal again? The answer is simply yes! The curse for many who are post-op more than 2 years is it often gets so normal, it is easy to fall back into old habits. Relish this time as you will soon be faced with having to make good food choices. You will get to eat a larger variety of food in time. Be patient and happy melting! Jon

WOW....70 pounds in 7 weeks....how awesome. Whatever you are doing...keep doing it..lol just kidding. I am 4 weeks out and only lost 22 pounds. I know I know...not just....after all I lost the size of a large turkey...lol I can't wait to see a difference. I notice a bit in my pants, and my rings are turning, watch is turning...so something is happening. I am not hungry either...and I have to get into the routine of eating every 3 to 4 hours, no matter what. I have been a bit tired...so was sleeping in and not do a reg schedule. Although I am getting all my protein in and water now. I haven't had any issues with dumping. I am pretty much just making healthy choices, 700 - 900 calories. I not dealing with the issues of "ever enjoying eating" yet. But I am a month behind ya almost. I do protein drinks in AM and then in PM....and if I am not getting enough protein in during the day....I might have another shake mid day. I love my shakes. There are quite a few things I go to take a bite...small bite..and it's not what I wanted. psssstt....let me know what you are doing...so I can too..lol WOW again...70 pounds in 7 weeks. Good Luck

Oh yes Sharon - It gets better and better and better!!! I too had to force myself to eat for the first 1 1/2 years. Some times I still have to do it, but I'm pretty much a normal eatter now. Food just didnt taste good to me at all in the beginning. KP said, "Ya don't live to eat now you eat to live" and that was exactly true with me!!! Food is just starting to taste good to me again. And there are a few things that still are just blaaah, that I just eat anyway. Protein drinks: I just don't get it when ppl say it will hinder your weight loss down the road? (probably just because it liquid calories). I have been on two protein drinks per day and when i was sick I had 3 per day. I had no problem losing my weight. Lost about 140 pounds in nine months. Don't stop the drinks unless your surgeon/ nut really understands how much protein you're getting in from food. I'd say talk to them about it more first. Best of wishes to you, Laurie