Not Eating Enough

[CajunPrincess83 3]

Hi everybody! Well, tomorrow is 3 weeks since I had my Lapband surgery. I am still 4 weeks away from having my band filled for the first time. Despite having an unfilled band, I am not eating anything I shouldn't be, but instead feel like I'm turning into an anorexic. Now, that may be a bit overly dramatic (and I've never had an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia), but I'm not sure what else to call it. I literally don't eat. I drink 3 Protein Shakes a day ( dr. Says I need 60g of Protein daily) and I'm on a chewable Multivitamin and a chewable Calcium + Vitamin D Vitamin. I'm on the mushie food stage and the doctor is very strict about what his patients are allowed to eat. It's basically the same as the liquid diet, but I can also have: watery grits/oatmeal/cream of wheat/ mashed potatoes, soft scrambled eggs, pured veggies, apple sauce. I'm so sick of the same food, that I have basically chosen not to eat instead of forcing myself to eat anymore of this crappy food. Is this bad? What all do you suggest I do about this? My stomach is growling right now, but the thought of eating watery grits makes me want to puke. So, I'm just sitting here drinking Water. I know the hunger will pass eventually.

[SageTracey 608]

You are sounding alarm bells and it sounds as though you can hear them too! You know that not eating is not the healthy behaviour that you need for long term weight loss. What are you planning to do to help you through this phase? Have you considered seeing a counsellor or talking further with your surgeon? I think it could be really beneficial and will help you to nip this potential eating disorder in the bud.

Best wishes

[parisshel 1,892]

My sense is once you get to the "more interesting" food stage, this will be a distant memory. Who could get excited about watery grits? That's normal! When do you get to introduce more palatable foods back into your diet? I'd wait to see what turns around for you then...it could be that your cravings are all gone simply because there is nothing in your diet lighting that part of your brain up. And imho that's a good thing, as long as it doesn't persist to the point that you merely live on Protein drinks. That wouldn't be good and that's not the goal of a lapband AFAIK.

Sounds like you are getting enough Protein and Vitamins from your drinks + supplements for now.

[2muchfun 8,927]

Treat yourself to some refried beans(throw a sprinkle of low fat cheese on it) or egg drop Soup, lentil Soup, Soups with soft noodles.

Add in sweet potatoes mashed of course.

[laurigee 545]

I agree with parisshel. I also think that once your able to eat foods that appeal to you you'll feel totally different! You said that your not eating because your choices don't appeal to you not because your afraid to eat because you may gain some weight! Two totally different things! It's great that your being compliant with your doctors instructions on food choices. I have seen many people crack and start eating things they shouldn't. It's truly a toss up, is overeating and eating the wrong foods any better than not eating at all? Probably not! Neither is the ideal! Just my opinion but I think your very tuned into yourself and aware that not eating is not a long term solution to weight loss. So stay aware as you graduate into your next stage and see how it goes. If your anything like a lot of us you will come back once you can eat normally and ask how you can contol your hunger because you want to eat everything. Then we will reply letting you know that this is normal until you get the correct amount of Fluid in your band!LOL. Good luck and keep us posted how it's going!

[LadyMaggie 145]

My two cents . . . get on this web page (LINK: http://www.lapband.com/en/mylapband/recipe_box/my_recipes/) and find some mushie recipes that you can tolerate. You can sort them by meal (lunch), ETC.

good luck

[babykins529 189]

I haven't been hungry since I was banded 4 weeks ago. When you're not hungry, its hard to eat. I wasn't getting much in either. But you need to try. When you do eat, make it high in nutrients and make sure to keep up on your Vitamins. Short term not eating as much isn't too bad, its the long term that will hurt your body. What do you think the people do when they have their jaws wired shut and can only eat through a straw for a month or two? Dont stress too much about this, it will only make it worse.

[TheNewMeTrini 26]

Yes I understand how your feeling because I've been feeling the same way.. I have learned to be creative, like store bought meatballs mushed up with a little spaghetti sauce, and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Yummm.. Or cottage cheese, tuna salad or egg salad. Yummy! Hope you feel more satisfied soon!

[CajunPrincess83 3]

Thank you all so very much!! I bought some muscle milk last night, and I love it! I also bought some fat free ricotta cheese, low skim mozzarella, and spaghetti sauce for noodless lasagna! I'm going to get a rotisserie chicken from Walmart tomorrow (breast meat only and no skin) and have it with a little fat free gravy. I have some meatballs in my freezer and might try those too. I was just trying so hard to go off my doctor's food list, but he's so strict that I basically had no interest in food. So, it looks like I'm going to have to deviate from that list if I want to eat. As long as its not fried or high in fat, I think I'll be ok. Again, thank you all so much!!