3 1/2 weeks post-op, hungry and worried!

[bunnybstuff 3]

Hi folks,

I'm a newbie to the site, but have been stalking for a while, and I read that post-surgery many people do not feel hunger, have aversions to unhealthy foods, etc. I was really hoping for that, but it hasn't been the case!

I was sleeved on March 18th and have lost 21 lbs since then (over 50 lbs including the pre-op diet), so my weight loss is good and I shouldn't complain. I'm currently in the blended phase (with a few forays into "soft" foods), getting around 60 grams of Protein and 600-700 calories a day. But I'm frequently hungry - not "head" hungry, but stomach-aching hungry. Sometimes I stop eating because it feels like food is getting stuck near the top of my sleeve, but the pit of my stomach still feels "hungry." I have also never felt any nausea when eating, and no problems with or aversions to any foods. I'm worried that the hunger and lack of other symptoms will make it hard for me to keep losing weight, and maintaining it in the long run.

Are there any other post-op sleevers out there who are frequently hungry? How do you deal with it? Have you been successful with long-term weight loss? Any tips?

Thanks for any advice!

[Webchickadee 716]

Your hunger may actually be excess stomach acid production (which can also cause a type of "reflux" sensation that may feeling like "stuck food").

Are you taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) such as Prilosec (Omeprazole)? I have stomach pain that feels like hunger if I miss a dose of my PPI (I take 2 20 mg tab daily, once in the morning and once at night).

[ISleevedIt 379]

Are you getting in all your fluids? That can give you the full feeling also. Try measuring out your food for each meal and split it up into two meals. That could help.

when you feel discomfort when eating, try taking a papaya enzyme chewable. It helps with digestion and it can be found in the Vitamin section.

[tnellp 12]

I'm 9 days post op, and starving. I've wondered the same thing also. I take Protonix 40 mg 2 x day, so I know it isn't acid reflux. I was told I wouldn't even want food after surgery...wrong I paid thousands of dollars out of pocket for this surgery, so being so hungry, so soon really scares me, after all, if I had willpower, I wouldn't have needed it.

[Webchickadee 716]

I'm 9 days post op, and starving. I've wondered the same thing also. I take Protonix 40 mg 2 x day, so I know it isn't acid reflux. I was told I wouldn't even want food after surgery...wrong I paid thousands of dollars out of pocket for this surgery, so being so hungry, so soon really scares me, after all, if I had willpower, I wouldn't have needed it.

At 9 days post-op you are still in active healing (and will be healing for several months yet). It's too early to panic about hunger! The sensations you are feeling may (and hopefully will) change substantially in the coming weeks. And since you're probably still on liquids you don't yet know the feeling of restriction and fullness that will come with solid foods.

Don't write the surgery off just yet, please. Be patient. You must heal and give yourself time to adapt to the "new you".

[ylopez 10]

I was also sleeved March 18th n sometimes I get stomach pains but its not hunger its gas. Try Gas-X it helped me alot. As far as feeling full I get more of a pressure full kind of feeling. They say when u start solid foods then u will really feel when u are full. I get my 60 grams of Protein in but only about 400-600 calories a day. I worry that too little now. I'm waiting for my nutritionist to email me back as to how many calories I should be at. Good luck!

[DianaE 128]

I have read several articles that state thirst can be confused for hunger. Here is one from Livestrong site:

The Stomach

The stomach also sends off its fair share of clues to let you know that it's hungry. It might grumble, gurgle, growl, twist and turn. It is true that when you hear your stomach make noises like this, it is letting you know that it's hungry. However, your stomach also makes noises like this while it's digesting food too. For your stomach to digest, it releases digestive fluids, and your stomach muscles contract, which also makes the same grumbling and growling sounds.

Hunger and Thirst

If you have ever eaten everything in sight, yet didn't feel satisfied afterward, you might have experienced receiving mixed brain signals. The hypothalamus controls both hunger and thirst, so it sends the same signal whether you are hungry or thirsty. To understand which signal your brain is sending, you must learn to understand your body better. Pay close attention to the last time you had a meal compared with the last time you had something to drink. It might be that empty feeling in your stomach only needs some Water for satiety.

How to Know the Difference

Try not to depend on the noises and feelings your stomach always makes. The next time you feel hunger pangs, drink an 8 oz. glass of Water. It might take up to 15 minutes for your hypothalamus to send a signal letting your nervous system know that the body was merely thirsty and that the thirst has been satisfied. If after that time, you still feel hungry, then eat. When you try this method every time you think your stomach feels empty, you will be able to better determine the difference between being hungry and being thirsty.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/441564-difference-between-being-hungry-and-thirsty/#ixzz2Q5W0LxjP

[TheCurvyJones 721]

Hang in there, folks! Once you are on solid foods you'll be amazed at how two bites of chicken will have you full for hours. Some people are satisfied by soft foods and liquids, some people need a bit more. Don't discount the surgery just yet......it's too early for that!

[dixiejuju 15]

I am 4 weeks post op and I have to eat about every 2 hours to help with hunger. On day 4 post op I got hungry and it lasted for a while. I am still on soft (see my dr and NUT tomorrow) and the hungry is better but I still get hungry as I am not eating very dense foods. If I eat ground chicken or turkey that helps hold me over longer.

[bunnybstuff 3]

Webchickadee- you may be onto something with the omeprazole... I came home with a liquid version, and it's so disgusting that I have been a bit lax with the daily dosage lately. But maybe I can take the pills now? That would be much better. It seems that I was a bit hungry when I first came home and I was still taking it religiously, but it's worth a try.

I haven't been tracking my Fluid intake, either, so there could be something to that as well.

It's just weird. It really feels like hunger, so I'm thinking about food way more than I would like to.