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

Hunger - did it come back and when?



Recommended Posts

I'm almost 4 months post op and I have REALLY noticed a huge change in my level of hunger over the last couple of weeks (going from zero most of the time) and I am starting to crave sweet things again. I know that this happens and some people never loose hunger after surgery and some do. Just curious about other people's experience. This for me has coincided with also being able to eat quite a bit more so I am REALLY scared to respond to the hunger....would love your feedback

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This would get alot more responses on the post surgery board - this is the veterans board intended for topics relatiing to people alot further out from their surgery.

most of us deal with hunger, there are techniques - but number one is drink Water, eat high Protein, low carb and lots of veggies

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I get hungry..and I'm 7 mo post op and started about 2nd month.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It is disappointing when it comes back. You have to work hard to fight it so you can be successful

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This would get alot more responses on the post surgery board - this is the veterans board intended for topics relatiing to people alot further out from their surgery. most of us deal with hunger' date=' there are techniques - but number one is drink Water, eat high Protein, low carb and lots of veggies[/quote']

I tend to agree with this..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

thanks for the input - I will post it elsewhere. I just posted it here as I know (or at least I have heard) that it's sometimes 12 months before hunger comes back so maybe Vets would have more insight.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

we post on other boards too and i will be happy to share my exeriences.

one comment is that it is EXPECTED and normal. The long term challenge is to change habits and behaviorsto live a normal life - even when you are able to eat more and experience hunger.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm 5 months out and have had hunger nearly the whole time. The difference is that it doesn't rule me. It comes at the "right" times, it isn't for specific foods, and I don't feel a compulsive need to "fix" it like I did before surgery. It's also satisfied by less than a cup of food by volume. Not a big deal. I expect it might change.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 5 months post-op as well. Hunger returned a couple of months ago. But, what a surprise to actually be PHYSICALLY hungry. Before my sleeve I ate so much and so often that "hunger" was actually head hunger, to continue to feed my addiction. I was never physically hungry.

Now when physical hunger hits, after getting over the surprise, I eat until I am no longer hungry. It could be a few nuts, or 1/2 cup of food. So different for me, since before I ate like I was never going to be able to eat again, and ate whatever food was in my path.

The other difference in hunger for me is my physical reactions. As a type 2 diabetic, my blood sugar was pretty out of control. When I was hungry I was shaky and lightheaded. Now that my blood sugar is under control and I have discontinued my diabetes meds, I no longer have the shakes when I get hungry. It's such a relief!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Month 5-6 seemed to be the end of my WLS honeymoon and hunger came back. Hard. I was hungry all the time on 900 calories a day, like a bear. Over the next few months I worked my calories up to 1700. Today I am between 2000-2400 calories and maintain fairly well when combined with exercise. I eat paleo style with some mods that are both more strict and also less strict. It balances out to a way of eating that fuels energy and satisfies hunger. As CGJ states, high Protein and lots of Water helps tremendously.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If I stick to Protein and eat low carb, I am never hungry.

Don't forget acid can feel exactly like you are hungry. If I don't take my acid blocker , Protonix, I feel like I am starving all the time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If I stick to Protein and eat low carb' date=' I am never hungry. Don't forget acid can feel exactly like you are hungry. If I don't take my acid blocker , Protonix, I feel like I am starving all the time.[/quote']

I'm seeing this for myself. The only carbs I have is from fruits and veg. But sticking to protein. My hunger has gone back to after surgery. It's satisfying that this has happened because I'm losing weight again. This is after a 6 month stall. I've toned a lot through it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The hunger came back, but not really the same. I rarely get hungry. The only time that I do is when I haven't eaten for a long stretch (over 5 or 6 hours), and even then, it doesn't feel the same as it did before.

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

    • 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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • 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

    ×