Tbeek

Panty hose are good if you are going to rob a bank.

Panty hose are good if you are going to rob a bank.

Panty hose are good if you are going to rob a bank.

I am 3 weeks post op and I seem to be always hungry. In fact I think about food a lot (day dream about naughty foods). I see a commercial about food or a yummy photo and I drool ( my husband calls it food porn). I still have all of my cravings and have had no complications at all after having my surgery. Sometimes I wonder if I even had the surgery because I feel so normal.
Currently I am on an acid control tablet, I eat puréed foods at about 1 to 2 oz at a time 6x a day and I take small bites and eat slow. I have yet to experience nausia or pain from being too full, let alone feel full.
How can I tell the difference between head hunger and real hunger? Do you ever loose any cravings ( I still crave sweets). Thanks in advance for your input!!

I am 3 weeks out and now allowed to eat soft and puréed foods. So far I have not had one problem getting anything down. chicken was a breeze. In fact I always feel I can eat more but always limit food intake to 1 to 2 oz per meal. I am wondering if the surgery even happened ( did they just go in and take a look? Lol) Plus I am always hungry ( which sucks) and I haven't lost any cravings.
I take a pill every day to control acid, I eat slow, i take m&m size bits or sips of food, my Protein Shake is premiere (I think I tastes like desert). Is not having stomach issues normal or am I lucky?

Warning: not for the squeamish or those who don’t want TMI.
My apologies, it’s been a while since I posted. I’m 5+ weeks post-surgery and things have been going generally well. That is, except for an unending pain from a hiatal hernia (so sez me about the cause, though not my surgeon – I know better, ha!) and some discomfort from eating. I lost 32 lbs. since surgery and 50 since pre-op. I didn’t wanna post here how fantastic I was doing since that would seem to be boasting and minimize the problems for those that have very real problems, especially those not caused by stoooopidity.
I have no real complaints except the pain from the hernia. Until today! While this is extremely embarrassing, I’m posting it with the thought that it might help someone else.
I’ve been following the diet instructions from my nut and getting lots of exercise. However, last night, my craving for chocolate got the better of me. I wasn’t really hungry, but my craving was real. I did something I knew I shouldn’t – I made chocolate pudding. I know I’m a sucker for this stuff and one or two or five spoonfuls doesn’t suffice. But I thought I could control myself. This time.

I used My-T-Fine sugar-free with skim milk. It’s sooooo good. It’s on my approved foods list. I haven’t had it since pre-op where I repeated the same mistake though not with the same consequences. Before that, I hadn’t had it since my mom started making it on the stove. Ten-years-old and I’d spoon out the left-overs from the cooking pot after mom poured the pudding into cups. She wouldn’t allow me anymore. Smart mom.
I proceeded to do the same last night. But after spooning the leftovers from the pot, 15 minutes later I had one of the cups that I poured. Another 15 minutes and another cup. Until it was gone. I ate the whole friggin’ batch! However, no side effects and I went to sleep feeling fine. I woke up this morning feeling fine and planning on going to the gym. Then, the cramps started and worsened.
I went to the toilet and a few pebbles came out, but no ease of my discomfort. I sat on the toilet for 45 minutes and nothing. I kept on feeling worse and worse. I took Gas-X and the anti-spasm medicine for the first time, the medicine I had gotten at the hospital. No let up in the pain and I was ready to write in blood that f890’ing chocolate pudding did me in! Really, the pain was so bad that I was getting ready to call the emergency number for the surgeon’s office.
The longest hour of my life seemed to go by with increasing pain and discomfort. Then, miraculously, I had a bowel movement of boulders and it was over. I don’t know if was any of the medicine or things just ran the natural course. All I know is that I’m cured of chocolate pudding or doing anything so stupid again. I hope.

My husband and I have been together for 34 years. Pretty sure he knows I'm not going to leave him!
That said, sounds like maybe your SO feels a little insecure. His remarks may have nothing to do with you and everything to do with him. Tell him you agreed to marry him because of what you feel in your heart and head, not how you feel or look in your body. He must have known about your surgery beforehand, right? If so, tell him you know he feels exactly the same way. Hopefully that will help. If not, well, you might need to talk about your hopes and fears (both of you) about your new life. Are you required to do any counseling before the wedding? I know some clergy require that. Maybe you can talk about his fears there.
I'd be a little hurt if my husband said something like that, but he'd have to keep saying it. Heck, I'm still secretly disappointed that I was the one who proposed all those years ago!

My boyfriend and I (in our mid-60's) have been together 9 1/2 years. He has been a supportive gift from God. If I had this done with I was with my mean ol' rotten ex-hubby, there would have been psychotic episodes of the worst degree.
Maybe you can get your partner to see that this is not about being a trophy wife, but about being healthy so that you can be together for a long, long time.

Hi. My heart goes out to you because the first 3 to 4 days is the roughest. Walking will help with the gas in your system. Walk walk walk as much as your body will allow. What helped me was I would start with my meds for nausea, pain, and acid. Take the nausea and pain med on time and don't let it lapse so that you are on top of it. Then there is an other medicine that coats your stomach called carafate that was helpful for me.
There is also a clear Protein that is not too bad called Isopure. My dr instructed me to to take it slow no more the 1 oz at a time and shift between a little Protein and a little Water. protein and Water will be you your biggest friend in the future. The nausia pills, dehydration, and keytosis can cause headaches so glad you are starting to feel better! Good luck

Hi. My heart goes out to you because the first 3 to 4 days is the roughest. Walking will help with the gas in your system. Walk walk walk as much as your body will allow. What helped me was I would start with my meds for nausea, pain, and acid. Take the nausea and pain med on time and don't let it lapse so that you are on top of it. Then there is an other medicine that coats your stomach called carafate that was helpful for me.
There is also a clear Protein that is not too bad called Isopure. My dr instructed me to to take it slow no more the 1 oz at a time and shift between a little Protein and a little Water. protein and Water will be you your biggest friend in the future. The nausia pills, dehydration, and keytosis can cause headaches so glad you are starting to feel better! Good luck

100 pounds gone in 5 months ????????

Good luck! I am rooting for you!

My insurance requires that I go through a three month medically managed Weight loss program before surgery could be considered . I fulfilled my obligation and my insurance company still denied me. My surgeon ( Dr Snyder, Denver Colorado.... Who is amazing by the way) said it didn't surprise him and that he would take care of it. So he called them and the next thing I know , I had a surgery date, and here I am 3 weeks post op.
Did you insurance co tell you why they didn't think it was medically necessary?

Right after surgery, If I didn't move, I was ok. The drugs the hospital gave me was very helpful
- dilaudid
- medicine for nausia
About 12 hours after surgery , I felt waves of just right below my sternum. Like labor pain, lol. If I kept up w pain med it would be tolerable. When I'd have a " contraction" , the doctor just told me to heavy breathe thru it.
Also You may experience some pain from the gas they use during the surgery. That stuff is a pain in the bootie. Walking helps get it out of your system faster. Walk as much as you can. When you get out of the hospital, a heating pad on you back or ice pack on your stomach can help too.
Also when you drink liquids, take it slow. Small sips and space it out between sips.

You are describing head hunger and mental cravings to a "T". "Daydreaming about food". "Drooling over food photos". This is DEFINITELY head hunger. Sounds like you are eating plenty to satisfy your actual needs. Are you feeling weak? Fatigued? Light headed? Hard time concentrating? These would be physical and mental signs that you are actually lacking adequate nutrition. And if you really are hungry, you will be satisfied with anything from yogurt to pureed veggies to Soup to a Protein shake. If it's something specific you're "hungry" for, it's head hunger.
And the cravIngs never go away. It's a battle you will fight forever. You need to find a way to retrain your brain for long term succes. But you can help lessen your sweet tooth by staying away from carbs. They just make you crave more carbs. And also be aware that many of the artificial sweeteners out there affect your brain chemistry the same as real sugar, so they can create cravings, too.

Does this happen more frequently when you stand up? It might be orthostatic hypotension. Try pumping your legs like you are riding a bike for a few minutes before standing up. Are you on blood pressure meds? You may want to talk to your health care provider about adjusting them if so.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/orthostatic-hypotension/basics/definition/con-20031255
PS many people end up with hypotension right after weight loss surgery, especially if they are on meds to lower their blood pressure.

I have that. It's the same deal with the hair loss. All the Protein is going into fueling your body. My dermatologist says that Biotin is actually better for nails than regrowing hair. If you aren't already taking it, you may want to try that. I take a biotin/keratin blend that's supposed to be good for hair & nails. I also use a nail kit. It's a 3 step kit that has a ridge & nail filler, then clear protective coating, then nail/cuticle oil.

I feel like many people get their decision overturned by appeal. It seems like some insurance companies reject everyone as a first step and then when people fight the decision will get their approval. I've seen lots of people say that just in these forums. Maybe don't give up?

Are you taking your Vitamins and do they include Biotin? IF not, get some and take them both because nails and hair are both affected by the post-op diet in the early days.
Just keep hitting your Protein goals and making sure you get in all your Vitamins and the nail thing should clear up within a month or two.

It's all head hunger. Did you do the 2 week pre-op diet? If so then that usually clears out much of that as you are no longer eating carbs. After surgery you aren't going to have real hunger from anywhere from 6 months to a year or more after surgery.

I'm gonna try the crystal lite thing for the cravings. I'm starting week 4 but after 4th or 5th day I craved. I blamed it on the liquid diet.< /p>
I still crave but since I'm on soft foods I'm ok. I did have 1 Day that I didn't get full. I thought it weird and was afraid I stretched my stomach. But that made me more mindful. I chew good, eat slow and then sit back and wait my 30min to drink Water. If food going too slow, I sip then wait. Usually like now I'm full.
I messed up & have eaten things from week 5 menu, chicken but I catch myself and eat right. I was out of town so it couldn't be helped. Just weigh or measure, regardless to your appetite. That way you're on control, even if you slip. I've seen people slip and just take one bite to satisfy. The calories are still far less than prior to surgery

I still get cravings too, I still love food. Generally when I have a craving the first thing I do is have something to drink, usually something sweet like some crystal light or something. A lot of times that makes the craving go away

Hi Tbeek! I'm a newbie too though I had my surgery 14 weeks ago. From your description it sounds like we are having similar experiences...I also haven't been nauseous and still have cravings and I've often felt just...normal...as if I could dig into a plate full of something. I have had a few times that I feel over full but it seems to be times that I ate too fast. When I eat slowly I don't seem to get the "full" feeling. It keeps making me wonder if I haven't stretched out my stomach already. I weigh everything and log it both in a paper journal and CalorieCount.com. Even when I cheat I log it because I figure if I am honest with myself then I've got a better chance of getting back on track.
I don't know if your husband heard the "food porn" comment somewhere or not but it perfectly describes it. Pastries or pizzas...the carbs and sweets call to me...luckily my logging keeps me from going head-first (mouth-first) into the calories. I bought some Carbquik and some high Protein snack from the Bariatric Pal Store and they have helped me keep on track. I look forward to seeing any responses you get to your question since it is could me insight to mine also.

Welcome to the club! I live in an area where there is no support groups either and the forums are so helpful. What you are feeling is soooooo normal. I am feeling that way right now as I type. Emotions are all over the place. Most importantly, get into the habit of Eating your Protein first....the beef out of your taco. If you have any room left, eat the veg or cheese. The taco shell and ritz crackers should be last or avoided all together (processed carbs). Good luck and hang in there!

I am 3 weeks post op and I seem to be always hungry. In fact I think about food a lot (day dream about naughty foods). I see a commercial about food or a yummy photo and I drool ( my husband calls it food porn). I still have all of my cravings and have had no complications at all after having my surgery. Sometimes I wonder if I even had the surgery because I feel so normal.
Currently I am on an acid control tablet, I eat puréed foods at about 1 to 2 oz at a time 6x a day and I take small bites and eat slow. I have yet to experience nausia or pain from being too full, let alone feel full.
How can I tell the difference between head hunger and real hunger? Do you ever loose any cravings ( I still crave sweets). Thanks in advance for your input!!