When will I start enjoying eating again?

Hello all. I've posted something similar in the past, but I need more feedback since this is consuming me. I'm 10 weeks out, and I literally hate to eat and/or go out to dinner with friends. Besides the fact that almost no protein sits well in my pouch (the subject of my next post), eating most things is pretty uneventful. Eating is just so different now. I haven't found chewing to be a problem (in terms of having to chew more than I used to), but the way food sits is definitely uncomfortable. Between throwing up from protein that doesn't agree with me, or worrying that I will, to the heavy feeling I often get in my pouch, to the foods that no longer taste as good post-op, to the gas I often experience...eating is not enjoyable. There was a time I thought maybe that was a good thing...it would help me not to obsess over food. And that has had an effect on me. BUT, on the other hand, given that I HAVE to eat so many grams of protein a day and do have to socialize with people, it would be nice to at least find the experience neutral instead of negative.  I find it an absolute chore to eat almost everything. The only pleasure I get is from fruit and carbs (like crackers, chips, etc.). Almost everything else (like all protein sources!) is a burden. I'd rather not eat than eat. Don't get me wrong. I DO get my protein in because I know it's important, but I literally have to force feed myself protein bars, shakes, etc. to do it. I'm 10 weeks out. When did this experience change for you???? I want to enjoy eating again. PLEASE SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES!!! -Beth

Hello Beth :)

For me personally  I found eating and drinking to be nothing more than chore most days for the first 3 months. Often I drank my nourishment just to avoid the work of chewing. I started enjoying food when I stopped eating starches. I went from the 4 food groups to a protein based diet and within a week or two I was very happy and satisfied with my food. It was around 7 months when I started eating starches again. I know for me eating chips, crackers etc is an easy way to become very disintrested in protein.  Cravings, hunger and weight loss are ALL better with a high protein diet. High meaning the majority of all calories (like 70 - 100%) from protein rich meat, dairy and legumes. People with slower weight loss, longer stalls and more hunger often have 2 things in common, too much starch compared to their protein intake and not enough fluids.  I hope you feel better soon :) HUGS PK

hi Beth, I am having EXACTLY the same experience as you with food and eating. I posted about it a few weeks ago and my situation is still the same. As you point out, food is so connected to socializing that it makes it really uncomfortable to meet friends or co-workers for lunch or dinner. I actually stopped dating right now because of that - not because of my weight. I just can't eat in public, unless it is soup or yogurt. And like you, I have to FORCE myself to eat my protein. Eating right now (protein) ranges from uncomfortable to really painful... and definitely NOT neutral.  I have to make a conscious effort to eat enough each day because I would rather not eat at all (with the nausea,  vomiting and foamies and pain in my chest/stomach).  Other wls folks tell me "it will get better" etc etc... but I am still waiting for the day and not expecting it anytime soon. Most of them are 10 months +  out from their surgery dates. I guess this is part of the price we pay for losing weight with the tool of gastric bypass. I'm really sorry you are having this same experience. Elaine

Hi Elaine. It's funny how comforting it is to know that someone else is going through the same thing!!! I wouldn't wi**** on anyone else, but even my friends are asking me,  "You STILL can't have eggs and tuna and chicken???". They seem like the most benign of all foods, but yet, they're a pain in my pouch (or I throw up!). I would love to just sit and enjoy a small salad and half a sandwich with one of my girlfriends. It just doesn't seem like too much to ask!!! I will say that I researched this surgery pretty well, and while my present experience wouldn't change my mind about having had the surgery, I would have liked the heads-up beforehand. I just didn't expect this. Take care, and GOOD LUCK to us!!!! -Beth

Hi Beth, I am so glad to see your post, I thought it was just me!! I'm 7 weeks today and my menu is so limited as to what doesn't make me hurl.  I am eating soooo slowly now that it's hardly worth it.  My 2-3 year out from surgery friends tell me this will pass, and that chicken is not the devil, but right now, well, I don't believe them. I call sitting down to a meal "Russian Roulette" and never know if it will be making the tummy happy.  I have about 5 things that I am sure taste good and stay down, but I'm tired of them.  I knew this going in, so I'm not whining (much), but I just wish I could wake up and it would be a year later already!!

HI, I just celebrated five years out.... so here is some words of encouragement.  This too shall pass.  Keeping a journal helps, so that in the upcoming months when you go back to read your entrys you will think, heh I WAS scared, but I am getting more and more confident in myself and this surgery.  Believe!  Betty in NE

I'm 3 months postop, and I hate to eat.  It's not because things don't settle well, because they do.  I just hate having to do it.  If I could just survive not eating, I'd be okay with that.  I know I have to eat, but it feels like a waste of time to me.  A "chore", as someone else posted.   Now, this is coming from someone who used to live to eat.  It was the first thing I thought about doing when I woke up and the last thing I did before going to bed at night.  And food is not my friend anymore.   I don't want to think about it all the time anymore, but I would like to look forward to a meal occasionally ... and right now, I just don't.  I never would have expected this to be ME.  I guess it's not necessarily a bad thing. 

 Hugs Beth, I was the same way the first 2-3 months.  I had no appetite and I was forcing myself to eat.  You just need to set a schedule and follow it.  You will enjoy eating again and going out with family/friends. 

I am in the same boat.  I am 3.5 months post op and really do not enjoy eating or want to eat - that in itself is wierd because the doctor tells me I have to eat more.  NO ONE IN MY LIFE has ever told me to EAT MORE!!!  I am having a hard time realizing that.   The funny thing is.  I don't care about not enjoying eating.  I do my best and it is ok if I cannot eat much at a sitting.  I do drink the shakes and bullets, and eat protien bars as supplements, but food is really not important to me.  I know it needs to be.   BUT.... I love the results!!!  I have lost 75 lbs and feel GREAT!!!!! Jodi