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Why Your New Pouch is confused between Hunger & Thirst



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In the first to 3rd weeks after surgery you will get a HUNGER feeling. As explained to me by my surgeon and dietitian:

To the woman: You've heard of 'Braxton" contraction??? I'm sure you have. Well its equivalent. Think of your new pouch as a newborn baby, because in a way it is. It's crying, it needs something. Because of the trauma it has just sustain, its a bit confused, so it tells the brain what it's feeling, which is hunger, because at this stage, that's all it knows. The signal isn't mature enough get, like a newborn, to tell the brain, NO, Im THIRSTY not hungry.

Just because you can't see the inner stitches, and all the cuts, like you would if you had a skin trauma, like a very deep knife wound on the skin, we tend to think just because we feel great its ok to do house work, and go back to work. Remember what this surgery entails, YOUR INTESTINE have been surgically re routed!.

.If you had a heart transplant or a shunt put in, you would NEVER consider over doing it, Same thing ladies and gents. This is MAJOR surgery, your body's signals have been disrupted and need a moment to reconnect.

Your stomach is still alive, its just a bit confused because its been chop away and hasn't had time to readjust. DRINK Water FIRST!!!!.. if that doesn't do it, follow your food PHASE stage foods your allowed to be eating. Don't eat a steak!!! or watered down mash potatoes (in less ok by your nutritionist) .

This post is just to let you know that this is a very normal sensation. Hunger is what the tummy does, But REMEMBER its the BRAIN that tells the body it need Fluid to make you salivate. So when the 'Newborn' tummy cries, the brain thinks it hunger. They will reconnect when your stomach realizes its a pouch now. It will begin to tell the brain when it needs Water or food. So its imperative that let the healing do it's job, and get to know your body and its signals. My mouth only get thirsty now when I have gone for to long without water, that's how I know I've gone to long. you see, listen to your body. So try water first, then try eating from you 'food phase' choices. DONT veer off into normal food. That will come soon enough. Thanx for listening. Hope this helps.

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P.S. I wasn't and still am not a Water person, but when that feeling came over me, and my stomach cried, I drank hot broth, I liked the salt taste, made me feel like I was eating a 'flavor". I like beef broth, or I'd have a hot cup of green tea, and just a sip of Water, I do that today to, not a water fan, but I drink other fluids to compensate.

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Ty for posting this and reminding me. I have bounced back so well on all my other 6 surgeries and not this one. 10 days post op and I'm still getting nauseous, weak, can't sleep, used an electric cart around Wal-Mart because I am scared to push myself and have no where to sit. 2 of my incisions are scaring me making me think they will need packing. I'm bumped out. I am fine mentally if the physical would heal faster. I needed to hear your post. Ty

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(((hugs to you)))) ;) I know ist hard when you can't see the inner workings of healing. Problem is the inner body had no air to create a scab..so it must rely on the resourses you provide it to heal faster, and that is REST!!! and unfortunately in this FAST PACED world we live in, we want INSTANT healing, instant photos, instant web pages, instant reply's. The body is NOT instant.

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Thanks for the post. I'm 5 days post op and my stomach has been almost quivering and my brain told me it needed food. I can tell you today has been much better.

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Thanks for the post. I'm 5 days post op and my stomach has been almost quivering and my brain told me it needed food. I can tell you today has been much better.

Doc said the quiver was from the surgery meds. Hope you feel better soon. I twitched on my lap band removal but not my bypass

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
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    • Doughgurl

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      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

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

      2. Selina333

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      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

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    • 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

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      · 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!

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