I have been reading posts from people who were banded on July 6th saying that they are not the slightest bit hungry, however I was banded on that day and am starving! I am having Protein shakes as well as other liquids.

How long did it take any of you to feel hungry after having surgery?

Thanks!

Hi Melinda,

I know some people who woke up from surgery hungry and some people who take weeks to get hungry. It is different for every person. I think it depends on what size band you had placed, how much swelling you have and how quickly the swelling goes down and how much restriction you have with just the band and no fill.

I started to get hungry after about a week and added thicker pureed Soups to my diet. That seemed to help some. The fact is, if you are one of the unlucky ones who gets hungry sooner, you basically have to suffer through it until you can start on mushies. They are much more filling.

But, don't be too discouraged, it is only the beginning of your journey and it will get better! How long do you have before you can start mushies?

The morning after, lol. But it was very easily quelled with a cup of coffee. Once I was off clear fluids drinking kept me full, it took about four weeks for any real appetite to return.

I've been banded about 5 months and I will never forget the frustration of being hungry for the first 2 weeks (liquid phase) fear kept me from cheating and it was ALL worth it. Try warm broth, the warmth makes you feel full.

Good luck.

Tammy

Mine took about 2 weeks. Sometimes I still don't feel hungry until much later in the day. Its hard to gauge when to stop eating as well. My first fill is Monday.

I too imagine it varies from person to person, but I didn't get ravenously hungry until four weeks post-op. I'm guessing that's when the swelling had gone down? I get my first fill next Tuesday.

My hunger took about 2 - 3 weeks to come back... And boy did it come back!

I stayed really hungry until my first fill.

Right away. I was not real hungry day of surgery, but definitely the next day. I stayed on my liquids and didn't cheat, but it was just sheer willpower. I have been hungry the full 4 weeks. I had my first fill yesterday so we'll see if that helps.

I was hungry the minute I opened my eyes from surgery... my tummy growled and growled. I remember asking the doc for a cheeseburger

It only took about 4-5 days for my hunger to come back. If that winds up being you, it's a LONG road until you get your fill, but hang in there. This is the time for healing, not losing, and you'll lose great once you get your fill.

Good luck!

I only 2 days post op and already feel hunger. The liquids help, but only for a short time, then my stomach starts to rumble again.

I was one of the lucky ones. It took a week before I felt hungry at all. My doc had to get on me to eat! But, I agree...it doesn't last forever and then it was a struggle until my first fill. Ahhh...to be post-op again...that was better than restriction!!

Actual hunger was not immediate, however seeing others eat, made me think I was hungry...about 7-10 days out, I truly felt hunger I would say. I added protein powder to my broth, and that seemed to help, more with my energy level, than hunger, but it made it to where when I got hungry, I felt like getting up and doing something rather than sit around worrying about the hunger! Which would be my suggestion, stay busy, doing things that are not easily done while eating...crafts, give yourself a manicure, etc. I walked aroudn shopping with my DH & DD, and when they just HAD to eat, I would shower, or get on the computer, just dissassociate myself with the eating thing for awhile! Good Luck to you, this shall pass, and when you can eat again, making wise choices will be easier!

Kat

I was really hungry for a while...then I started on solids and I felt full for hours at a time. But the liquid and mushie phase was hard but now I feel incredible!

I was banded on the 10th, and was pretty hungry after arriving home today. All I had that morning was some juice, and water. So I ate some jello when I came home (1/4 cup) and that pretty much squashed it.