Question:
I stopped eating solid foods, is that ok?
I had my Open RNY in 2000,I was 315 and went down to 160 last Jan I started gaining weight,I hit 205 pounds I gained because I got scared of the attention I was getting that I never had and I wanted to go back to what I call my safe self, so I started gaining the weight back, I've gained 45 pounds. On Monday, I stopped eating because I really hate what I am doing after all I went through. The only thing by mouth that I have had is water, coffee, milk, ice tea. I still take my vitamins and whatever I need, I started today (Sat.)drinking protein drinks. I am not hungry sorta, I mean my tummy makes noise but I don't feel the hunger, is it ok not to eat solid foods for a while? I have lost 10 pounds this week, whick I think is great, but now I am scared to eat again, I am scared that I will go back to eating the breads and starches, and get lazy again. I hate the idea of having to eat. I am so scared that I will fail again. What is the worst that could happened if I don't eat? — Terri Z. (posted on December 7, 2002)
December 6, 2002
I hear your frustration and saddness but stopping to eat is not the answer.
If I were you, I would go back to the basic wls diet, Protein, water,
exercise and see how that does. Good luck
— Delores S.
December 6, 2002
Terri.. The WORST you could do is most likely put your body into starvation
mode which will make you retain calories and allow your body to begin
burning your muscle mass as well as your fat reserves for fuel. Adding
protein drinks is a great start. It might be wise for you to contact your
surgeon and perhaps see a nutritionist to map out a plan that will help you
lose as well as feeding your body what it needs to be healthy. I haven't
been in your shoes, but I honestly don't think any of us took the route we
did with surgery to go back to starving ourselves. Be kind to yourself and
your body, and PLEASE seek some help with a more sensible plan than not
eating. Good luck and God bless you! ~Peace
— Joscelin
December 6, 2002
I'm with the previous posters - go back to the basics (water, walking,
protein first, vitamins) and get some help - nutritionist if you are
confused about what you need to eat. But it sounds to me as if you
especially need some help with how you deal with people (obviously gaining
weight to protect yourself shows you don't feel safe) and that will help
you long term with sticking to your eating plan. Please get some help -
sounds like you are heading for all those same patterns we all struggled
with pre-op. Please e'mail me if you need one on one support, and keep
posting here so we can help you too! Please get some
counseling.....blessings.
— Scarlett A.
December 7, 2002
My first thought was... When you go back to eating solid food (and you
will, we all have) then you will gain that weight back again unless you do
like the other posters have said and go back to basics when you were a new
post-op. You lost then and you can lose with that method again! Good
luck to you.
— thumpiez
December 7, 2002
Seems to me your problem is not at all with food. I would suggest you get
counsleing to deal with the issues that are causing the unhealthy behavior.
Sometimes we forget there are many reasons for becoming MO and, although
WLS is an incredible tool, it can not singlehandedly resolve all of our
issues. Obtaining healthy coping methods might help you loose a ton of
wieght and gain a ton of confidence. Best of Luck.
— Jennifer R.
December 7, 2002
I agree with the others that you need to get some help with how to deal
with being at a lower weight and the attention that comes with it and why
you want to escape to your safe self. You certainly have amazing will
power when it comes to food (doing all liquids), and will probably have no
problem dropping the weight again, but what do you do next time you become
scared and want to escape again? Use your will power to seek help, get
yourself on a good physical and mental diet. You can do it.
— Cindy R.
December 7, 2002
First I would like to say congratulations on admitting that you have a
problem. Next, I would strongly advise you to seek some type of counseling
for it. I'm not a Dr. but it sounds to me like you are starting to show
signs of "anorexia." Anytime, you deny yourself food it's not a
good thing. I have dealt with the "anorexia demon" before and
take it from me, once you start denying yourself food and you see a weight
loss you will continue to do this to achieve weight loss. This is not a
healthy thing mentally and physically. If you don't have insurance that
would cover you to go to therapy, your state probably offers low income
therapy or group sessions for people with eating disorders. Even though
you did have WLS I'm sure that you would be accepted with open arms. I
attended group therapy for a short while because I wanted to deny myself
food aswell. best Wishes :)
— Heather S.
December 7, 2002
I'm not a post-oper yet but I belong to many boards and I would suggest
That eating liquids to get the weight off isn't that bad as long as you
draw a line maybe throw some chicken or fish in every other day. Drink lots
of water and get on a good work out plan and I think that will do the
trick. Good Luck
— megwad
December 9, 2002
Hi Terri, check out the pouch rules for dummies on this site... I believe
it has information on there that's great for "resetting" our
stomach back to the original post op size so that we can re-kick our weight
loss.... It's a great resource.
— lindajenkins
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