Post op help needed - hunger

[bobbyswife 862]

I was sleeved on Dec. 18th. The process went perfectly, except like many, I had a very large hernia that I didn't know I had (about the size of an orange) and that had to be repaired at the same time. I can honestly say that my tonsillectomy surgery a few years ago was far worse than my VSG, so I'm happy about that.

What I'm not happy about is that for the last week (I'm on soft foods) I have been feeling what feels like major hunger just a short time after I eat. I have never had reflux except for when I was pregnant long, long ago, but I don't really feel like that's what I'm feeling. This is a gurgling, hunger sensation. It's certainly happening sooner after I eat something like Soup, and takes longer when I eat more solid food. BUT, a major reason I had this surgery was to (albeit temporarily) shut up the hunger for a while.

I called my Dr. and they didn't seem to think it's reflux because it's not a burning or feeling in my chest or throat. The nurse asked my eating routine and I told her that I have Breakfast every morning (about a 1/2 a scrambled egg), and a Protein hot tea on the way to work around 730 am. By 1030 I am feeling this famished feeling. She asked me if I am hungry in the morning and I said no way. I have never been the type to be really hungry first thing in the morning even pre-op. So, her suggestion was not to eat breakfast and wait until I feel hunger a little later and start eating then. But, isn't this a contradiction in terms? Aren't we supposed to eat breakfast for a healthier metabolism?

Sorry for the long rant, but I was wondering if anyone else is feeling a lot of hunger so early post op? Any suggestion are much appreciated! Love you all!

[HappyinHollywood 10]

It is acid in the stomach. Doc told me to take Prilosec

14 day dose and a tablespoon of Maalox at bedtime. It will pass, trust me, been there!

[Babbs 14,680]

So when you are hungry at 10:30, why not eat a little Protein? I remember those first couple months I was eating like 5 or 6 times a day. Here's what my routine looked like:

7 or 8:00am: Breakfast

10:00am: snack

Noon: lunch

2:00-3:00: Snack

5:00-6:00: dinner

Tea in the evening and throughout the day for more liquids. I pretty much ate every 2-3 hours. I felt that staved off the hunger. And yes, I, like you, felt hunger. I don't care what anyone says, darn it! It was HUNGER! So just know, you are not alone. My hunger subsided a little, but never really went away. I just learned to read it better now. I only eat when I'm hungry. Not bored. Not mad. Not tired....you get the idea

[Justoperated 141]

I do pretty much the same thing. Eat a boiled egg for breakfast, then take Protein shake in juice on way to work and feel hungry by 10:30. I take a break at 11 and eat pureed chicken or fish. But the difference compared to pre-op is that 2 ounces and I am full.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I would continue to do the tea at 7:30 and just add a snack at 10:30. Something simple like Protein bar or few pieces of cheese. You're hungry because you're metabolism is burning higher. That's a good thing as long as you feed it nutritious things. As for the afternoon hunger, I would try a PPI in the afternoon. My heartburn isn't a burning sensation. I just feel very full. I even skipped dinner once or twice until I figured it out. Now I take 40gm omeprazole around 2-3pm and by dinner time I am fine. If the fullness comes back I take 2 tums chewables and I'm fine.

[bobbyswife 862]

@@HappyinHollywood can I get that OTC?

[bobbyswife 862]

@@Babbs My Dr. recommends 3 meals a day and no Snacks, but that seems crazy when I can only eat so little when I do eat!

[bobbyswife 862]

@@Justoperated yes, that's true!

[bobbyswife 862]

@@collinus I feel it in my mid-stomach area, like behind my belly button, which I know is silly because isn't our sleeve located much higher? For instance, when I feel full, it's just below my breasts in the center.

[bobbyswife 862]

@@BLERDgirl I will try that. It's so frustrating because on the weekends I can sleep in til 9 or 10 and I'm literally not hungry until 2 pm. Then for the rest of the day I fight the hunger feeling after I eat.

[Comeflywithme 402]

My fave snack 2 weeks out post surgery -- and feeling those "hunger" pains that were probably acid was a string cheese. They satisfied me and were healthy. I STILL snack on them once in while.

[Comeflywithme 402]

My fave snack 2 weeks out post surgery -- and feeling those "hunger" pains that were probably acid was a string cheese. They satisfied me and were healthy. I STILL snack on them once in while.

[sjkduke 6]

I know what you're feeling. I put a call in to my GI doctor (I'm already on Prilosec 20mg) today and he's doubling my dose. You can get Prilosec over the counter, it'll just be more expensive than with a prescription. I do eat every 2-3 hours because i'm hungry all the time! Granted, it's not much, but still. I'm SO OVER feeling hungry all the time.

Hang in there, and I hope you find some relief!

[Katevsg5t4 1]

HI...I was sleeved on 2/23 and have been worrying and wondering what's wrong with me because I feel the exact same way! I had never had problems with hunger and the growling stomach before like I do now. I see the Dr. for my post-op checkup tomorrow and am going to ask him about it. My stomach is so much smaller but I'm starving. Hopefully that goes away soon.

[HappyinHollywood 10]

@@HappyinHollywood can I get that OTC?[/uote]