H Everyone!

I'm 12 days post op and my recovery (RNY) is going well. I am currently at Stage 3 and am tolerating foods well. I have a question that I am hoping others can help me with.

I constantly feel hungry even after eating/drinking. Is this normal? I am eating Soups, yogurt (no chunks). I have been drinking mostly Protein shakes (Carnation Instant Breakfast NSA) and drinking Water or Powerade Zero. I am able to eat 4 oz at a time with no issues and could possible eat more but I do not. From what I am reading from others, 4 oz at a time seems like a lot. I am sticking to the foods at my stage for the most part (I had a spoonful of rice the other day which I chewed like 30 times before swallowing).

How much liquid is everyone getting in at a time? I take four sips max at a time but feel like I could take more. How long do you wait between sips?

I guess my concern is that my pouch is bigger than it should be. I dont know how the mechanics of all this works so I plan on broaching this with my PA when I have my post op appt on Wednesday. Any feedback/insight from others is appreciated.

TIA!

:-)

Hello! Just wanted to say that your stomach nerves are still healing from a major trauma, so while you may not feel it, I can almost certainly guarantee that you are actually full. I had a similar feeling in the beginning and I now rarely feel hungry and can tell right away when it's time to stop. Hope this helps.

Just wanted to chime in here real quick. I had the same experience felt like I was starving and I got very discouraged and hated reading the posts about people saying I can barely eat this or that. Things have changed now. I don't feel like I am starving anymore and I think I am eating less than I was before (I KNOW I am). Give it some time and trust the process!!

some great questions on this post!

I am interested to see what people say about the sipping per hour or whatever. that is one of my questions too!

I definitely don't feel hunger but lots of times when I do eat or drink my stomach kind of has an uncomfortable digesting process. It gurgles everywhere. It might be thought of as hunger pains ...? It's not for me but maybe this is what you're feeling?

I don't measure (for ex: 4 oz) - I just put what looks like 2-3 tablespoons of food in a tiny dish and just really listen to my body and pay attention. most times I don't eat everything in that tiny bowl. Lots of times I just get turned off by what I'm eating because it takes so long to eat, or I may have gotten full. Now I say that because if that feeling is feeling full, it is way different then the old feeling full. Now it feels kind of like a whole body blah feeling. Don't know if this is my new "feeling full" or what but it's weird!

anyways hope all goes well with you and let's DO THIS

My surgeon told me for the first three months I am not to worry about measuring my food. I simply take food from my list of approved foods and eat slow small bites until I feel "full." He said some foods I may end up taking three bites and others seven. The biggest issue for at least the first three months is Protein, fluids and Vitamins. Not calories, not portion control but simply making sure my body is healing. Which simply includes getting 50 grams of protein daily, 64 ounces of fluids and making sure I am getting in exercise, vitamins and decent sleep everyday.

He says when we get to six months we will discuss portion control, calorie intake and moving past the "honeymoon" phase into maintenance. Maintenance tends to happen at a year out but learning healthy habits along the way lends a hand in being a successful WLS patient.