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Post-surgery change in cravings.

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Posted 10/13/2013 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
I'm coming up on 7 weeks post Nissen surgery. I have noticed that I just don't crave certain foods as I did pre-surgery. The interest is there, but at a much lesser intensity. I fill up very quickly when eating meals, and have little interest in 2nd helpings. I'm not sure what to make of this? Is this temporary, permanent or perhaps a blessing in disguise? Anybody have thoughts on this or perhaps has had a similar Nissen experience?
Posted 10/13/2013 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
I've heard of this. I'm sure my girl friend won't mind this... haha I'm 5 days out. I can't eat that much at this moment.
Posted 10/13/2013 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
I'm the same Ian I used to be a right chocoholic I'm not interested in it at all.
I fill up quick as well I'm at 7 weeks post op
Ali
Posted 10/13/2013 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
I have experienced this with surgeries and the first time it happen I actually cried as I was not hungry and thought my whole life was changing.  Trust me, the urge to eat foods I liked and want seconds came back with time.

Now it is hard to push away second helpings. redface

Posted 10/13/2013 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt-- Thanks for validating and normalizing my experience.

Ali-- I am a consummate chocoholic and I have been initially bothered by the lack of interest, thus my reason for posting. Kitt says that the lack of interest will change in time. Now I am at peace.
Posted 10/13/2013 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Ian,

If your stomach doesn't tell you when you're full, be careful to keep your meals small at this point.  While you're reaching a point where the fullness perception due to swelling is subsiding, you can still get yourself into an uncomfortable situation if you're not careful.  Like Ali, I was still not able to eat much at 7 weeks...I'd get full pretty quickly.  Some, though, don't have that experience, and need to self-regulate intake.

Glad to hear you're enjoying food!

Happy healing,

Denise

Posted 10/14/2013 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Denise- I'm definitely struggling with recognizing a full stomach, and I realize that I'm still in the early stages of recovery. I have had occasional upset stomach from eating too much. All of a sudden I'm full and I'm thinking "What just happened?"
Posted 10/14/2013 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ian,

Instead of counting on your stomach to let you know, why not measure the amount of food you're taking in at one sitting.  The amounts should be small in the beginning, then gradually increase them as time goes on.  Many small meals are much better for your stomach and wrap at this point. 

Happy eating,

Denise

Posted 10/14/2013 8:14 AM (GMT 0)
Ian-

Your stomach is smaller due to the wrap. It can be stretched back out, but the process an be very uncomfortable.

As Denise said, it's best to measure out your meals. Eating smaller frequent meals isn't just for recovery part, it's what doctors say is best for everyone. It keeps your body fueled all day vs eating a lot 3 times a day and having cravings through out the day.

Stick with the small frequent meals and your body will thank you for it.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 10/14/2013 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again Denise and Bill-- I need to follow your counsel. My body does not yet know when to say when. We were invited oo a friend's home for dinner last night. We were served a delicious pot roast. I chewed well and did not have any difficulty swallowing. I thought I was eating smaller portions, but suddenly I became uncomfortably full. I'll start measuring my portions.
Posted 10/14/2013 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Ian, I have not had my surgery yet but I wanted to ask, how much food are you eating at this point in your recovery? I am starting to think about it since my surgery is coming up in 2 months.
Posted 10/14/2013 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
I had a lot of discomfort over the weekend. I finally figured out that I was just eating too much, too fast, again. I finally had pizza, then left over pizza the next day. It wasn't the pizza, it was the fact I ate too much at a time. My stomach was not telling me I was full. I have to tell myself and serve myself less at each meal.

Bacon: For the first couple of weeks following surgery, the amount at any given 'meal' was about 1/2 a cup or a little more. It slowly increases, as it becomes easier to swallow and swelling decreases.
Posted 10/15/2013 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Lajenner-- We are definitely experiencing the same symptoms and problems-- and for the same reasons.

Bacon-- Tonight I modified my meal. We had Teriyaki chicken and rice. Usually, I would eat the entire bowl-size serving. I ate half of what I normally would eat. I can eat normal size portions, but really shouldn't. As you have read, the stomach probably isn't ready for full portions, but rather a series of small meals. I'm going to have smaller size helping for the next while.
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