Awww Man, I Thought...

[Denise73 89]

I wasn't going to be hungry so soon post op.

So I've read a few, no many post where people were saying they didn't feel physical hunger until 6 months - a year after surgery. As I read those post, I kept thinking boy, I hope I'm the same way and won't feel hunger for months. Well let me tell you, I'm a week post op and I am h-u-n-g-r-y. I believe the reason I am frequently hungry is because I can only eat 1oz of food at one sitting. A few hours later, I'm hungry again. I thought it was gas bubbles and have ignored them the last couple of days. It took me to talking to another patient to realize I could actually be hungry because I wasn't eating enough. This woman's tummy allows her to eat 3 oz while mine only allows me to eat 1 oz. After giving it some thought, I realized that I'm not eating enough due to my stomach's capacity therefore was feeling hungry once my stomach is empty. Is this normal? While I was sticking to just three meals a day (basically starving myself), should I eat more frequent (1 oz. meals)? Thanks in advance for your input.

[JeanZ_RN 378]

At 1 week post-op, you're still dealing with the full liquid or pureed stage, right? That's a whole different ball game than it is once you're cleared to eat solid foods.

Did your surgeon/nutritionist ("NUT") give you any written materials or instructions for post-op diet at the various stages? If so, re-read that and I bet you'll find the answer. If not, contact one of them right away with your question, because the answer is going to greatly affect how many calories you consume, which in turn will be the basis for your weight loss.

One important thing to know is that the feeling of hunger COULD be due to excess stomach acid. If that is a factor, acid reducing medication (Prilosec, Nexium, etc.) might help.

Best wishes.

Edited July 7, 2014 by JeanZ_RN

[Denise73 89]

Hi Jean, Thanks for your response. I am on the pureed stage. I did read the stage II diet plan given by my Nut and I am in stage II and eating right. It didn't say how much I should eat nor did it say how much I would be able to eat. I thought it was normal to only be able to eat 1oz but I have someone else who had the same surgery on the same day with the same surgeon who can eat 3 oz. I do take a acid blocker. I know the amount of food people can eat changes over time. I can only hope that it is acid in my stomach and not hunger as the feeling is so intense. Thanks again for your input.

At 1 week post-op, you're still dealing with the full liquid or pureed stage, right? That's a whole different ball game than it is once you're cleared to eat solid foods.

Did your surgeon/nutritionist ("NUT") give you any written materials or instructions for post-op diet at the various stages? If so, re-read that and I bet you'll find the answer. If not, contact one of them right away with your question, because the answer is going to greatly affect how many calories you consume, which in turn will be the basis for your weight loss.

One important thing to know is that the feeling of hunger COULD be due to excess stomach acid. If that is a factor, acid reducing medication (Prilosec, Nexium, etc.) might help.

Best wishes.

[GENNYOSKINNY 78]

I wasn't going to be hungry so soon post op.

So I've read a few, no many post where people were saying they didn't feel physical hunger until 6 months - a year after surgery. As I read those post, I kept thinking boy, I hope I'm the same way and won't feel hunger for months. Well let me tell you, I'm a week post op and I am h-u-n-g-r-y. I believe the reason I am frequently hungry is because I can only eat 1oz of food at one sitting. A few hours later, I'm hungry again. I thought it was gas bubbles and have ignored them the last couple of days. It took me to talking to another patient to realize I could actually be hungry because I wasn't eating enough. This woman's tummy allows her to eat 3 oz while mine only allows me to eat 1 oz. After giving it some thought, I realized that I'm not eating enough due to my stomach's capacity therefore was feeling hungry once my stomach is empty. Is this normal? While I was sticking to just three meals a day (basically starving myself), should I eat more frequent (1 oz. meals)? Thanks in advance for your input.

My docs rule of thumb at ur stage is if u eat 1-2 oz u should eat every 1-2 hours if u eat 2-3 oz than eat every 2-3 hours an so on..good luck honey

[marfar7 1,528]

I'm not 100% clear on the whole "Ghrelin removal - lack of hunger" that comes the sleeve but I do know that I didn't experience it either. On day 10 post op I was ready to eat my arm.

In the beginning (after the first 4 weeks of liquids, where u can put alot more than 1 oz in at a time), I was able to eat about 2oz and be hungry again 2 hrs later. I just started keeping a baggy of almonds in my purse.

I'ts now been a year and I still can eat very litt.e While I no longer weigh or measure, I did weigh a pc of chicken a couple weeks ago that I ate all but about 4 bites of and it was 2 oz. So I'm still able to eat 2 oz of Protein + a few bites of carbs + a few bites of veggie. I can eat about 12-15 bites of any given meal + Snacks.

Ur not gunna know how much u can hold this early on. Ur stomach will relax and ull be able to take in more. I'm hoping I stay about the same as I am now, as I can usually get by 3-4 hrs now without feeling like I could eat the side of a barn...

Good luck!

[InfiniteButterfly 438]

I could eat very little on puree stage...maybe 1/8 cup of food? I tended to have three meals (now that I'm on soft foods, I have three meals and generally an afternoon snack of some kind. Sometimes a mid-morning one as well if I've done a lot of exercise) When I say 'snack', it's maybe a cheese stick or a quarter of a Protein bar (I find I eat less at meals when I have a snack, so my calories stay fairly consistant...600-700 calories at this point)

My NUT said that eating smaller meals and building in snack allowances (or having essentially 5-6 small meals/day) was perfectly valid. Listen to your body and eat when you feel you need to. I don't feel hungry, per se, but I do tend to get light-headed or nauseous when I need to put something in my tummy. Eat what you can, and eat when you need to. Don't judge what your sleeve can hold by what other peoples' can.

[bsgtx 0]

Tomorrow will be 5 days post op for me so I am on liquids only. I have not been hungry but I feel I am still not drinking enough. I am staying with my sister until my Dr visit tomorrow then I am going home. My sister and her husband cooked their supper tonight and last night and only the smell bothered me. My mind was hungry but when I saw the food my stomach let me know I wasn't hungry, if that makes sense. I hope things get better for you on being hungry. And I hope I continue without the struggle. I was told when I can eat to eat 5 times a day