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

Hungry, empty hollow feeling in my stomach 6 days post-op



Recommended Posts

Looking for suggestions about how to deal with this hollowed out feeling of hunger I am experiencing six days post-op.

My surgery was on 4/18 (Tuesday) and have experienced some ups & downs with nausea, which I still need meds to deal with. However, my actual pain experience is getting better every day. I'm back home and my largest issues seems to be hunger, which I totally didn't expect. My doctor wants me to stay on a full liquids diet until day 7 & then easing into pureed food, so I've been following those directions. I hit approximately 60 grams Protein yesterday & have been careful about making sure that I'm getting at least 48 oz in daily liquids, aiming for 64 oz.

I was in hospital until Friday mid-day & had a very hard time consuming the Protein Shakes, yogurt & Soup I was given while in hospital, but I was pretty vigilant about the liquids and also on IV through Thursday night.

Unlike others here tho actual food does not nauseate me now that I'm bak home - I can eat no-fat yogurt, broth, blended Soups etc. and drink my Protein shakes. But I am still hungry.I Is this hunger just a reaction to not having really eaten for a few days last week?

I really thought my appetite would be checked by the surgery.

For what it's worth I seem to have lost 5 lbs but assume that is mostly Water weight.

Thanks for any insights you have!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Are you taking a PPI like Protonix or something of that sort? Stomach acid production can give you that 'hunger' feeling, but it's also likely to be in part 'head hunger' which you just have to power through.

Keep doing what you're doing...as you move to more solid food, you'll start to feel the restriction of your sleeve.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

28 minutes ago, 360lyMe said:

Yoplait Greek yogurt is 14 grams of Protein is has been filling for me, as well.

Thank you for responding - that's very helpful!

I have some low/zero fat greek yogurts in the fridge and will try eating them earlier in the day.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, ShelterDog64 said:

Are you taking a PPI like Protonix or something of that sort? Stomach acid production can give you that 'hunger' feeling, but it's also likely to be in part 'head hunger' which you just have to power through.

Keep doing what you're doing...as you move to more solid food, you'll start to feel the restriction of your sleeve.

Thanks, I'm not sure what a PPI is but I have started taking Nexium which I suspect is in that family. I had an endoscopy pre-op & surgeon found evidence of gastric reflux, which I had been unaware of until that point, so it may well be stomach acid.

I hadn't realized that "head hunger" could actually physically feel like hunger - I thought it was more a craving for specific foods that I couldn't have any more.

I appreciate your taking the time to respond!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mind, stomach, temper ...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I definitely find I get "hungry feelings" at non-mealtimes when I'm not being diligent enough about taking my acid reducing meds.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the same thing at a week or so after surgery. It would wake me up from a sound sleep, and was very much physiological hunger. It would be eased by drinking a Protein Shake, but would be back again in a couple of hours. That feeling of hunger stayed with me until I started on solid food. Now at almost 4 weeks out I only feel hunger if I haven't eaten in several hours. It does get better, but it is hard to deal with while you are experiencing it. I felt very discouraged by the hunger feelings because I thought the surgery would curb that feeling. It did, it just took a while.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, teacupnosaucer said:

I definitely find I get "hungry feelings" at non-mealtimes when I'm not being diligent enough about taking my acid reducing meds.

Thanks for this - I will definitely be diligent about the acid reducing meds.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the same thing at a week or so after surgery. It would wake me up from a sound sleep, and was very much physiological hunger. It would be eased by drinking a Protein Shake, but would be back again in a couple of hours. That feeling of hunger stayed with me until I started on solid food. Now at almost 4 weeks out I only feel hunger if I haven't eaten in several hours. It does get better, but it is hard to deal with while you are experiencing it. I felt very discouraged by the hunger feelings because I thought the surgery would curb that feeling. It did, it just took a while.


Thank you. I'm going through this now as well and it sucks. Your feedback helped.

Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Blue Door said:

I had the same thing at a week or so after surgery. It would wake me up from a sound sleep, and was very much physiological hunger. It would be eased by drinking a Protein Shake, but would be back again in a couple of hours. That feeling of hunger stayed with me until I started on solid food. Now at almost 4 weeks out I only feel hunger if I haven't eaten in several hours. It does get better, but it is hard to deal with while you are experiencing it. I felt very discouraged by the hunger feelings because I thought the surgery would curb that feeling. It did, it just took a while.

I really appreciate your sharing your experience with me. It's actually a relief to hear - I am worried that I will be one of the unlucky ones who never lose that hungry feeling! It's a very disorienting experience and one, needless to say, that I haven't been great at tolerating in the past. But I'll be on pureed foods in a few days and that should help. I am making sure that I have two Protein Shakes a day using unflavored Unjury b/c I really dislike the sweetness and sharpness of the artificial flavors. But hungry as I am, a third Protein Shake feels daunting, but it clearly is an effective remedy.

My doctor only asks that we track our Protein and liquids, not calories, but I actually did track my calories today and sawI actually consumed less than 700 calories which may also account for my feelings of hunger!

Thanks again for responding - it really helps.

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

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 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

    ×