I am only 3 1/2 weeks out from surgery so please understand that I am still a newbie. I am looking for insight from long term sleevers. I understood from my physician and nutritionist that there is a "honeymoon period" during the first ~6 months post surgery when hunger pangs are nearly nonexistent. That eating might seem like a full time job as one tries to get in proper amounts of Protein and liquid. I also understood that after this "honeymoon period" hunger pangs may come back but that the sleeve would continue to help one feel full quickly (after only a small meal) if one followed the recommended eating and drinking guidlines.

Have you long timers found this to be true?

Even at only ~3 weeks out from surgery I already have some pretty strong hunger pangs. They are quieted after a small meal but they return - again and again. I am concerned about what I will feel like later if this is what my "honeymoon" is like.

What has your experience been now that you are further out from surgery?

Does bougie size make a difference? I know smaller bougies make for smaller sleeves and less room for food. Do larger bougies result in greater hunger both during honeymoon and later on? My doctor told me mine was 36 French. He said it was on the large-ish side of the range he uses. I am not unhappy about anything with the surgery so far except the slow rate of weight loss and the surprising degree of hunger I experience.

Did I miss "my honeymoon"? Any thoughts or stories to share?

I tried the acid reducer and it did nothing for my hunger, I have tummy rumbling, hunger pains every 3 hours,which are better if I eat something like tuna and cottage cheese. I can go 4 hours with high protein foods, but with things like yogurt I become starving after 2-3. I am only 3 weeks out but that is what I have found. Hope it helps.

I have had hunger pangs from the day I got sleeved! My stomach growls and lets me know when it's time to eat. I've lost 165 pounds in a year so my hunger pangs have had no negativity. My head hunger is about 90% gone. That's what's made the huge difference in my life. I have a hunger pang so I eat a few bites and I'm full and satisfied. I lost 105 pounds the first six months and 60 pounds in the next 6 months. I feel the entire year was a honeymoon stage. I've went below my goal and I'm now trying not to lose anymore weight. Good luck!

Your post was very reassuring. I am now 5 weeks out (or is it 6?) I definitely feel hungry at mealtimes and snack times but I think that's okay and easy to deal with. As long as I don't want to eat all the time, I feel that I should be fine. Seeing your weight loss numbers even as you felt real hunger was quite a relief. Thanks for posting.