I had my bypass five days ago and today has been the first really hard day. I woke up this morning and on auto pilot chugged a bunch of ice water like I normally would. My belly instantly let me know I messed up. I've been bloated and in pain most of the day as a result and honestly...I just want some freaking food. I'm lusting over a scrambled egg, cottage cheese, anything other than shakes or strained soup with protein powder. I hate that I feel sorry for myself right now! Sorry for being such a downer, but I would really appreciate some encouraging words right now from someone who understands.

I had my surgery 4 days ago and have been wanting food too. It seems to me it is just the habit of eating as I am not hungry. So far I have found anything really cold in not sitting well. This morning I had decaf coffee with cremora and was fine until 20 m later when I started sipping on a protein shake. Threw it all up. then later for lunch. threw up more protein shake. The rest of the day I have kept down, chicken broth, water with crystal light, sugar free jello and premier protein clear drink with no problem. I think maybe I need to wait another day before I start the the yogurt and pudding. Although I did drink some ensure at the hospital with no problems. I most certainly have to take small sips and I cannot imagine trying to chug anything, I was afraid to drink the cup of barium for the upper gi they did after the hospital. Dont feel bad for yourself. The first day after I was so sorry I did this but that is changing. Ive been keeping myself busy talking to family, watching TV, taking some walks around the house and yard and playing solitaire. One day at a time.

It’s not unusual to feel down after the surgery. You’ve been through a lot, so many changes & things to learn & your hormones are screwed up too at the moment. You may feel this way for periods of time on & off too for a little while until you’re more fully recovered, things are more stable & you feel more confident about what you’re doing.

Everyone slips up along the way. And yes our tummy usually tells us nope this wasn’t right. There’s a lot of new things to learn about food choices, eating, learning new habits, quirks of our smaller tummy, etc. so mistakes & misunderstandings are inevitable.

Craving specific foods (or flavours or textures) is head hunger. Your head is wanting food to comfort & soothe you in this stressful time. Distractions can be helpful when this happens. Read, craft, play a game, catch up on social media or this forum, take a stroll around your home or garden (as you’re physically able), ring a friend, etc. Sometime s sipping a warm drink can be helpful.

All the best.

It will get better. I remember thinking “What the hell did I just do to myself?” We have just put our body and mind through a lot it’s gotta get used to everything.

44 minutes ago, Carol Memaw said:

I had my surgery 4 days ago and have been wanting food too. It seems to me it is just the habit of eating as I am not hungry. So far I have found anything really cold in not sitting well. This morning I had Decaf coffee with cremora and was fine until 20 m later when I started sipping on a Protein Shake. Threw it all up. then later for lunch. threw up more Protein shake. The rest of the day I have kept down, chicken broth, Water with crystal light, sugar free Jello and Premier Protein clear drink with no problem. I think maybe I need to wait another day before I start the the yogurt and pudding. Although I did drink some ensure at the hospital with no problems. I most certainly have to take small sips and I cannot imagine trying to chug anything, I was afraid to drink the cup of barium for the upper gi they did after the hospital. Dont feel bad for yourself. The first day after I was so sorry I did this but that is changing. Ive been keeping myself busy talking to family, watching TV, taking some walks around the house and yard and playing solitaire. One day at a time.

Thanks for replying, Carol. It really does help to know I'm not alone. I definitely agree that it's just old habits and not real hunger, but my husband came into my room where I was hiding away while the family had dinner with his freaking pizza (!!!!) and started eating right next to me and it took everything in me not to bawl. I'm just an emotional disaster today haha. The chugging was just so automatic that I didn't even realize I was doing it until it hurt. Probably need to not keep my water bottle on my nightstand anymore so that I'm more mindful. I hope your vomiting clears up quickly and you can keep things down. ❤️

21 minutes ago, Arabesque said:

It’s not unusual to feel down after the surgery. You’ve been through a lot, so many changes & things to learn & your hormones are screwed up too at the moment. You may feel this way for periods of time on & off too for a little while until you’re more fully recovered, things are more stable & you feel more confident about what you’re doing.

Everyone slips up along the way. And yes our tummy usually tells us nope this wasn’t right. There’s a lot of new things to learn about food choices, eating, learning new habits, quirks of our smaller tummy, etc. so mistakes & misunderstandings are inevitable.

Craving specific foods (or flavours or textures) is head hunger. Your head is wanting food to comfort & soothe you in this stressful time. Distractions can be helpful when this happens. Read, craft, play a game, catch up on social media or this forum, take a stroll around your home or garden (as you’re physically able), ring a friend, etc. Sometime s sipping a warm drink can be helpful.

All the best.

Thank you so much. This is honestly hugely helpful and gratefully received. I'm going to try to be gentler on myself.

10 minutes ago, toodlerue said:

It will get better. I remember thinking “What the hell did I just do to myself?” We have just put our body and mind through a lot it’s gotta get used to everything.

Thank you so much for the kind reply. "it WILL get better" is definitely going to be my mantra for a while.

Hi guys, I had my RNY on 3/29/23. Been struggling with the same things. So far my hubby can eat in front of me (he feels bad, but I told him it's ok as dinner has been a social time for us eating together). I get the "head hunger" because it looks and smells good, but I have NO physical appetite for it so I'm not to bothered- YET! Can't tolerate the shakes anymore. I get physically ill just thinking about them. I'm moving on to Pureed foods in a couple days and am looking forward to getting protein another way. F those damn shakes! LOL. I don't tolerate sugar free/artificial sweeteners either so my options have been very limited. I've had the "What the hell did I just do to myself" several times, especially when battling the nausea. I appreciate the reply you got of "It will get better" too. Just have to keep reminding myself of that!