Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

I'd be interested to know how many of us still experience REAL hunger?



Recommended Posts

There's much talk about the hormone ghrelin reducing hunger after surgery. I am possibly unlucky in that I still do experience hunger and have done from about three days after surgery. :eek:

I'm talking real hunger here not head hunger, which I also have rather a lot.:thumbup:

I'd be interested to know how many of us still experience REAL hunger?

regards

Sandra x:biggrin2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At almost 11 months post-op, I still never experience true hunger. My stomach never growls, I've actually gone 12 hours without eating because I completely forgot to eat. So, for me, I have to remind myself to eat.

Now, I can say that when I am more active, be it working out more, or out with my family/friends, I do get a feeling that my body needs fuel. I don't get hungry in my stomach, but my body tells me it needs food.

This is one of the main reasons I won't go off of my acid reducer because so many patients that go off of their PPI mention a false hunger feeling even after eating a meal.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sandra,

I have to say I have hunger at times and I am 4.5 months out. I recently had an episode of hugh hunger after I started on VitB12 complex. By three days out my stomach was always hungry and I could eat so much more. So I stopped that, but yes I have had hunger where I had to put something on my stomach. Some of that would be acid I know but still have to eat something and try for Protein but if out I grab something quick with more carbs than I'd like.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yup, true hunger here. . . I'm about 4 months out and have true stomach hunger. . I have learned the difference between head and tummy hunger and it's real tummy hunger. . . but i've also learned to ignore it. . . this part is kinda stupid, but I like the tummy hunger pangs, shows the I'M in control now and not my tummy. . .Yeah I know, power and control freak, . . but that's me! hehehe

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Sandra,

For me the hunger is sooooo much different than before surgery. One thing for sure, I don't DARE stop my acid reducer (Nexium) because I am still producing tons of acid and it makes me feel like ripping a chunk out of my computer monitor and eating it! Sometimes I even take a half dose in the late afternoon if I'm feeling "hunger". Other than acid hunger, it's gotten much, much better. The only real hunger I feel is head hunger and I sure know the difference and try to tell myself to just knock it off. On the rare occasion that I think I am truly, physically hungry, I can ignore it if need be unlike in the past. How far out are you? Good luck, it does get better.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm hungry in my stomach. Doesn't feel a lot different than before surgery to me. Like right now my stomach is empty, I feel it, and I want to eat. I don't want sweets or bad things as much, but still those cravings are there. But a little bit satisfies me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for all your great responses. I'm only 12 weeks out from surgery and even when I make sure I have taken my double dose acid reducers I still get hungry, 4 or 5 hours after my last meal, but it;s true I can ignore it. I'm currently having three tiny meals a day and maybe a Protein Shake.

It's nice to know I'm not alone in feeling hungry, even though it is nothing like the ravenous need to consume I had before surgery. I hope many more people respond here as I'd love to show this thread to my surgeon who practically guaranteed I'd never feel hunger again. lol

Thanks again

Sandra x

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I do not experience real hunger. Like Tiffy, my body signals (sometimes) that I need fuel, but not like the hunger I used to have.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm three months out and feel hunger all the time, usually 1-2 hours after eating. It seems a little better just the last couple of days though, so maybe it will be getting better. But what a disappointment it has been.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm three months out and feel hunger all the time, usually 1-2 hours after eating. It seems a little better just the last couple of days though, so maybe it will be getting better. But what a disappointment it has been.

Are you taking Prevacid/Prilosec? I was like that too. I would be hungry an hour or so after eating a meal. I started on Prevacid and within 3 days those hunger issues went away.

I am like Tiffykins and Mini-me, I do not get hungry. I can skip a meal or two, but I pay dearly for it. I have learned this the hard way. On two seperate occatsions I have been so busy with work I just blew through lunch and dinner. Finally in the evening I slowed down enough to eat a little something. I still wound up getting a massive headache in the middle of the night like I used to get pre-op from being hungry. In the past a big hearty Breakfast would make it go away(carb heavy). Well, flash forward to now and I can't have a big meal. It took me a day and a half to get caught up on my food intake to get rid of those headaches because of the small portions. So, now I make it a point to not skip a meal, it seems silly when I eat so little, but that is how my body is working.

I am so glad that my hunger is gone, I hope it never comes back.

Bill

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I do! I'm taking a PPI, but still feel a little bit of hunger about 3-4 hours after eating. It's very mild though, and probably half of what it was at 4-6 weeks out (I'm almost 3 months). Then, it was gnawing and uncomfortable.... now, it's easy to ignore until I can do something about it, or I can just drink Water and put it off for awhile. I love having that control and feeling normal!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You said you get hungry 4-5 hours after a meal. Isn't that normal? I don't get hungry....and I have paid the price for it. On Saturday, I realized that I hadn't eaten in 10 hours and my butt was dragging. I didn't know it, but my daughter and husband said I was acting weird...like I was drunk. YEAH....my blood sugar was probably dropping like a New Years Eve ball !!! I got a Protein shake (even though I still was NOT hungry) and I started feeling a little better....but it took until today to finally get my stamina back.

Before we were sleeved, we ate 4 - 5 hours between meals. I know that my surgeon has told me not to look at the clock and base my meals on time rather than hunger....but if you don't FEEL hungry....what else can I do?

I'm sitting here right now, sipping on my (what was supposed to be noon day meal, but it is 3 p.m.). Once again, I forgot to have my meal, but I don't want to get sick again.

Maybe you should enjoy the fact that you get hungry 4-5 hours out. Stay in good health....good thoughts coming your way.:crying:

Sleeved 4/7/2010

Dr. Chiasson

Total weight loss so far: 32 lbs.

Edited by Lookinupin2010

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wasn't hungry for the first couple of weeks after surgery, then it hit me. I'm on an acid reducer, but still get very hungry. I keep a dense (30gram) Protein Bar at my desk all day and eat a few bites of it in-between meals. I was totally not expecting this, so I'm a bit disappointed.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×