SummerShadow

Not for me. I'm one of the 'lucky' individuals who ended up with constant hunger after surgery. I never had constant hunger before surgery, and I was one of those people who would go most of the day without eating. The solid foods I'm on right now (Semi-Regular Diet stage), even tuna, ground beef, etc.... causes fullness, but it doesn't last very long, and once my stomach has emptied my stomach is growling again and the hunger is back.

Now, to clear any confusion... I don't have cravings....I have hunger. Not head hunger, but real hunger that is never satisfied with more fluids or additional heartburn meds.

Hi everyone.... I've been trying since I signed up to change my stats that show here in my profile... the highest weight, current weight, etc... and I just can't tell where to change that info. On 'edit my profile' I only can edit certain things, but not those. Can someone help? The stats are wrong, including my HW (which shows an incorrect weight)... just frustrated. Any help with this would be awesome. Thanks so much in advance.

On 8/14/2017 at 0:20 AM, summerset said:

Curiosity? I tested my limits as well after I was converted to MGB. Knowing I could eat this or that was liberating. That doesn't mean that I do all the time.

I'm not in the mood to live in fear of certain foods. I remember times when I did and it was horrible. I know though that many users on this board have a different view on this issue. In the end everyone has to do what works for the individual.

I have a friend, a THIN friend, and I asked her many years ago "How do you do it??" She said, "I deny myself nothing." She said that she never tells herself that she can't have anything, that everything is 'allowed' and that she is well aware of the price of admission for what she eats and how much. That, of course, is the mindset part, but she never allowed her weight to yo yo so didn't end up with a stretched out stomach. I didn't spend my life as a big girl (the opposite actually), but it was a life-long FIGHT every single step of the way, and any tiny thing would send me gaining. Big, small, big, small, big small.... health issues that stopped me dead in my tracks when I was a dance instructor and avid gym-goer. And... I ended up smack dab in the middle of my immediate family history----obese. But, I remember how I was scared of eating x, y, and z... which made the emotional part of eating a total mess, leaving me with wanting the 'taboo' stuff. Well, I guess I'm just saying... I totally agree with you, summerset.

2 hours ago, Sherry Rice said:

Don't worry, I PROMISE YOU WILL. Liquids don't challenge the sleeve, they literally stay in your tummy for 3-5 minutes and are into your intestines. You will feel it when you eat real food. It literally feels uncomfortable, almost hurts it feels so full. Be patient you have 75-80% of your stomach gone, it will be restricted


5' 5"
HW: 259
CW: 234
GOAL: Healthy and hard 140-ish?

Thank you Sherry. That helps immensely, and it does make sense. I weighed for the first time today and found I only lost 5 lbs. Kind of bummed about that. I have so much to lose and so far to go and if it's only 5lbs now, I wonder how slow the loss will be later and if it will be as slow or non-existent as the times I tried to diet. Ugh. But at least I feel better about the restriction mystery. Thanks again. **hugs**

I'm in Elmore County, but I know there are support groups in Birmingham. I guess there's not a lot of local support groups in AL.

On 9/27/2017 at 7:17 AM, Gingerrose said:

I have lost weight previously and already have saggy skin....so expect more.

Same here. It's a small price to pay for better health. The skin can be dealt with eventually, and some people actually choose not to have any surgery to remove the excess skin. My goals are ... healthy, alive, vibrant.... then I'll worry about the skin later.

5 days post-op. 56 here. And there were ladies much older than me at our nutrition class. We're out there!

2 hours ago, dzelaya90 said:

when I was 5 days out I wanted nothing to do with food or Protein just plain Water which sucked because since I was not getting any Protein in i felt so crappy but gradually i started getting my hunger back. I am 3 weeks out tomorrow and like you said i feel way hungrier than when on liquids. I do believe though that once we move on from stages and have more options for meals with more protein we will feel the restriction i hope so at least! lol

I was kind of like that immediately after, but once the initial discomfort left me I got hungry. But then, my situation was likely a bit different than most, I think. I had a reaction to something and got a wicked rash all over my face, neck, chest, arms, etc... and so I wasn't able to take any of the usual meds after surgery, such as pain meds, Carafate, and nothing for nausea. Any side effects like nausea or fullness, loss of appetite (many pain meds do this) was out of my system quickly, and my last pain meds was the day I was discharged, and it was the stuff they sent home with me. So, I did discover that after adding back one item, the Carafate, that it makes me nauseous. Maybe that's why my appetite is different right after, though not sure. I also think the waves of painful hunger I've had and still do somewhat could be stomach acid rebound, which can be confused with actual hunger. I'm starting that Gaviscon stuff tonight, so I'll see if that squashes the weird hunger.

And yes, I hope we get that fullness and restriction once we're on more normal-consistency foods too. Counting the days when I can eat food that actually has a shape and isn't shaped like Soup. lol

Just now, Rose400491 said:

Oh yikes I’ve never heard of someone not being sent home with a binder. It is an undergarment (usually Velcro to adjust) for compression and it’s also protects the incision and makes it so you don’t put strain on your stomach makes it alittle tougher to bend down.
It looks like this!

I didn't get one of those. They didn't even talk about that during any meetings, appointments, etc.

I've been dealing with this awful, gnawing hunger, and it actually began right after surgery, of all things. So unexpected. Anyway, I've read a bit about it being stomach acid, but I'm taking Famotidine (sp?) and have for a couple of years now. I also read that Gaviscon helps with this kind of hunger. I also have no signal from my stomach when to stop eating/drinking, and I mean none.

It's hard to imagine hunger being acid, but with it being a painful hunger, do you guys think this is what I'm dealing with? It stinks to have gone through surgery to come out on the other side hungrier than before I had it done.

i'm also retaining Water (ankles, etc).

17 hours ago, dzelaya90 said:

I will be 3 weeks Post Op Wednesday and I literally cannot stop eating (nothing unhealthy of course) I am only eating what is on my list and next week I will be already on an unrestricted diet. I am concerned with the amount of food I am able to eat and I do not feel restricted at all. I eat Breakfast, lunch and dinner and a snack but I always find myself so hungry a few hrs sometimes even minutes after every meal and find myself snacking on string cheese mostly. I lost 17 pounds the first two weeks but I’ve been stuck at a stall the past week which I’m not too concerned about I am more concerned with the amount that I am eating with no restriction. The stage I am in right now consists of fish, tuna, yogurt, eggs, string cheese, Beans, lentil or split pea Soup and soft cooked vegetables. I am not sure if I should just ignore my hunger or eat. Has anyone else experienced this in the early stages?? I just feel like I’m doing something wrong !

I'm only 5 days post-op but feel absolutely NO restriction whatsoever. I can slowly eat a bowl of BariatricPal Protein Soup and finish the bowl without any pain, nausea, or any difficulty whatsoever. Scares me. I wrote my nutritionist about that today, but I honestly seem to be way hungrier than when I was on the full liquid diet pre-op.

What is a binder? I didn't have anything like that. I'm 5 days post-op as of today.

27 minutes ago, CamillaCallie said:

I got sleeved 11/9 so it's only been 4 days. Today I feel so nauseous and struggling with my fluids. Got my walk in though, even if it was for 10 minutes. Every day I feel a little bit better but how long until I feel 100%? I know the next couple months will be a struggle but some insight will be helpful.

Congrats! That was my surgery day as well. It kind of sucks right now, and I'm having the same issues you are. Hoping it all gets better day by day. I'm also weak and lethargic, so that's keeping me from walking much. :/ Keeping you in my prayers!

Mine was on the 9th. Hungry. Darn it. :/

Wish I had that problem. I'm 3 days post-op and am hungry. :/

4 hours ago, Introversion said:

Sliders (a.k.a. slurry foods) are processed carb-laden foods such as popcorn, crackers, pretzels, chips, Cookies, pastries, milk shakes, ice cream, and donuts.

Sliders enter your sleeve as a liquid slurry and 'slide' effortlessly through your stomach past your pyloric valve into your intestines, enabling the sleeve to tolerate more food. Hence, they're called 'sliders.'

Since sliders don't promote fullness or satiety in any meaningful way, our sleeves can continually accept these types of foods all day long. In sum, they promote rapid weight regain.

Why does that just completely gross me out? lol

On 11/7/2017 at 10:39 AM, jenn1 said:

Humm after weight loss surgery...I would have to lift my breasts by hand Just to place them out of my shirt.

rofl!!!! Laughing this hard hurts 3 days post-op! hahaha!

On 11/9/2017 at 9:21 PM, Rawlinos said:

What causes this feeling? Just eating fast or?.

Rawlinos, I can't answer for BeeBee, but I was told dumping syndrome is from eating anything with sugar. I was also told that it doesn't happen to those who've been sleeved... usually an issue with bypass. Anyone can feel like poop after eating sweets, if not for any other reason than a rapid spike is blood sugar and an equally rapid crash. My surgeon, as well as the nutritionist kept reminding us in our class/group that we won't have to deal with that.

22 hours ago, Killian said:

I would stay clear of the chewables...especially in the hospital right after surgery. I took the Gas x strips for only a few days after the surgery.

Thanks for the heads up about that! I'm going to order from Amazon.

My surgeon has a LOT of surgeries under his belt, and people travel to see him from a long way. I'm only 1 1/2 hours away, but.... his protocol is ONE WEEK liquid diet. Well, 6 DAYS of full liquid and one day (day before surgery) as clear liquid. Everyone I know who's had this surgery (on another group, and one person my husband works with) has given me dark and dire warnings about that. I'm scared because of it, and the surgeon and dietitian are unconcerned and say my Dr has always done pre-op diet one week out.

Prior to my seeing my doctor the first time about WLS, I was diagnosed with NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis), basically fatty liver with inflammation. I was also diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis (not contagious... my body just thinks my liver is a foreign invader). I'm in remission for the AIH, and i've lost a little weight too... but I'm still spooked and wondering if anyone else has only had to do a one week pre-op diet....

On 10/30/2017 at 1:29 PM, kassgar said:

Did anyone experience nausea on their preop diet? It’s day 1 for me and I’m having a hard time.

Yep. Same here. Day one is officially tomorrow, but I started today. Sick. Hungry. Headache. :/

8 minutes ago, Killian said:

Darn, that stinks. Try Amazon, that is where I got mine.

I'll give them a look! Thanks! I did see they make a chewable, but that sounds like something that may have sugar in it, not sure.

Hi everyone, I start pre-op liquid diet tomorrow officially, and my surgery is scheduled for November 9. I just learned that the Gas-X Strips everyone has told me to buy and use are no longer made. Anyone know of an alternative for us? I hear the gas can be painful after surgery. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

On 10/24/2017 at 10:20 PM, Killian said:

I am in the hospital right now as I type this. (Tuesday, Oct 24, 2017) and wanted to share with you guys a couple of items to bring that I had and was sooo glad I did.

1. Sunglasses / eye cover sleep mask

Why? My room was directly across from the nurses station and the light poured into my room. Luckily for me I had my old sunglasses in my back pack from when I used to commute on the train. They blocked the train car light on the 4am train. Need my beauty sleep!

2. Noise canceling headphones

Why? These come in handy for all the machines that go "ping". And, like I said, I was directly across.from the nurses station so I didnt have to hear them.

3. Gas-x STRIPS

Why? They freakin' work. I had some gas pains and took these. 10 min later pain was gone.

4. Loose fitting shorts / sweatpants

Why? I wore silky basketball type shorts. So when I would be walking around the ward, no one can see my precious hiney. Plus, they are comfortable.

5. Phone / I pad

Why? Alot of downtime.

Dont forget toiletries!

GREAT list, but one thing.... I just found out that the Gas-X strips have been DISCONTINUED!

On 7/27/2017 at 8:46 AM, Sugar42 said:

Hey everyone,

I got the phone call yesterday that I was approved and I have my surgery date November 21st. I am excited and a little nervous because it is actually happening!

Mine is scheduled for November 9, 2017.