When does the hunger return?

[sillykitty 10,789]

I'm 3 weeks post op, and really liking that I'm not feeling much, if any physical hunger. Now that I'm eating real food, making smart decisions is so much easier. Head hunger, I get for sure, but as long as I'm not "triggered" by a commercial or something, I'm fine.

How long does this last?

[nuhtoshuhh 11]

I’m about three weeks post op now and I’m just now starting to actually feel hungry. It’s not like this overwhelming hunger like it was before but it’s there. I think now that I’m back at work and working 8 hours mostly on my feet that my body is craving food to keep me energized and going!

[Creekimp13 5,841]

I felt like chewing my leg off I was so hungry the first week after surgery. Stopped being hungry around week 3 when I started eating 1000 calories a day. Have had no problems with hunger since.

[TakingABreak 2,733]

I'm 6 weeks post op and I find it hard to distinguish between head hunger and regular hunger. I just try to eat at "normal" times and don't eat at all when I'm not hungry. I've also had spells of nausea and NOTHING sounds good. I've struggled with what, if anything to eat at all. I go to the grocery story and leave with very little because nothing looks appetizing. But in the same day, I could feel like I'm starving while sitting at home. To prepare yourself for this, its almost impossible. Just have healthy things available for when your hunger does strike. Remember too, that even when your hunger does return, it won't take much to satisfy it.

[logicwand 269]

8 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

I felt like chewing my leg off I was so hungry the first week after surgery. Stopped being hungry around week 3 when I started eating 1000 calories a day. Have had no problems with hunger since.

This is exactly how I feel right now. I have been starving since surgery last week. I just started wondering how much longer I can do this liquids thing. I know people say the pureed stage is tough but I'm dying for some eggs or something. Ugh.

But for your sake SillyKitty, I hope that feeling lasts forever for you!! That's so awesome. I'm totally jelly.

[ready4change88 40]

This is exactly how I feel right now. I have been starving since surgery last week. I just started wondering how much longer I can do this liquids thing. I know people say the pureed stage is tough but I'm dying for some eggs or something. Ugh.
But for your sake SillyKitty, I hope that feeling lasts forever for you!! That's so awesome. I'm totally jelly.

Today is 1 week for me as well and I’m very hungry as well the liquids not doing it for me today

[Stacy160 201]

It's different for everyone.... my brother was hungry very shortly after surgery, but at 8 years out, I still rarely feel actual, gnawing physical hunger. I can tell when it's time to eat something, but I can't describe that feeling. The head hunger, where you just WANT something? I don't think that nonsense ever goes away!!

[dinosore 12]

22 hours ago, sillykitty said:

I'm 3 weeks post op, and really liking that I'm not feeling much, if any physical hunger. Now that I'm eating real food, making smart decisions is so much easier. Head hunger, I get for sure, but as long as I'm not "triggered" by a commercial or something, I'm fine.

How long does this last?

I'm in the same boat had surgery on Feb 14. To say I feel no hunger is an understatement, I have to remind my self to eat I have no idea how some people are getting so many calories in.. im lucky to get 350 in.

Edited March 7, 2018 by dinosore
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[sillykitty 10,789]

Thanks for everyone's replies!

I felt hunger especially the first week. But I'm now certain it was head hunger. I've learned if I don't have a trigger, smells, seeing food, someone talking about food, I'm not hungry. But head hunger feels real!

11 hours ago, Stacy160 said:

IThe head hunger, where you just WANT something? I don't think that nonsense ever goes away!!

Ugh, yeah, makes sense. I wished I craved healthy choices like I do unhealthy ones!

13 hours ago, logicwand said:

This is exactly how I feel right now. I have been starving since surgery last week. I just started wondering how much longer I can do this liquids thing. I know people say the pureed stage is tough but I'm dying for some eggs or something. Ugh.

But for your sake SillyKitty, I hope that feeling lasts forever for you!! That's so awesome. I'm totally jelly.

I felt way more satisfied on real food, it'll come soon!

21 hours ago, AshAsh1 said:

I'm 6 weeks post op and I find it hard to distinguish between head hunger and regular hunger. I just try to eat at "normal" times and don't eat at all when I'm not hungry. ......Remember too, that even when your hunger does return, it won't take much to satisfy it.

Yeah, I had a hard time distinguishing at first. But I live alone, so it's easier for me to control outside factors, there is no temping food around for a spouse or kids. I can avoid live TV with food commercials etc. Once I realized things like that were the only time I felt hungry, I realized, "oh, that must be head hunger!". But it doesn't actually feel different than real hunger.

Yeah, this week I'm at a business event, so all restaurant food. I'm amazed that like 1-2 oz of food gets me so full. I'm LOVING that.

21 hours ago, Creekimp13 said:

I felt like chewing my leg off I was so hungry the first week after surgery. Stopped being hungry around week 3 when I started eating 1000 calories a day. Have had no problems with hunger since.

I don't see how I would be getting 1000 cals in at this point. Likes @AshAsh1 I'm trying to only eat at normal times, 3 meals, plus maybe a Protein Shake in the late afternoon. I'm usually getting 300-400. Yesterday was by far my highest at 915, and that was with rich restaurant food, and a cocktail that was nearly half the total cals.

[TakingABreak 2,733]

2 hours ago, sillykitty said:

I don't see how I would be getting 1000 cals in at this point. Likes @AshAsh1 I'm trying to only eat at normal times, 3 meals, plus maybe a Protein Shake in the late afternoon. I'm usually getting 300-400. Yesterday was by far my highest at 915, and that was with rich restaurant food, and a cocktail that was nearly half the total cals.

I wasn't able to get higher calories in until I reached my soft food phase. I'm not sure where you are in the food progression. Its actually a lot easier than you think it would be. Solid food=more calories. You will find that it means more restriction too. On liquids and soft foods, I could eat a full cup. Now, solid foods I'm lucky to get a 1/2 cup in. I'm not sure what your program allows, but I'd stay away from cocktails. Actually, I'd stay away from all drinks that include calories. My surgeon warned that caloric liquids is one of the sure fast ways of regaining weight. No surgery can prevent you from drinking your calories. In my program, I can't have alcohol until 6 months out. Honestly, its not safe at 3 weeks. You can significantly slow your recovery.

[dinosore 12]

32 minutes ago, AshAsh1 said:

On liquids and soft foods, I could eat a full cup. Now, solid foods I'm lucky to get a 1/2 cup in.

A whole cup? I can only do about 3 tablespoons or a small yoghurt and I'm done? is anyone else in the same boat?

[TakingABreak 2,733]

20 minutes ago, dinosore said:

A whole cup? I can only do about 3 tablespoons or a small yoghurt and I'm done? is anyone else in the same boat?

Everyone's restriction is different. I am almost 7 weeks post op. I remember when I took my bariatric class the nutritionist told us that everyone's pouch size would be different. Some would be 4 ounces, some would be 8 ounces. Plus as the swelling goes down, you will be able to eat more. Also it HIGHLY depends on what you are eating. Yogurt is very filling for me.

Edited March 7, 2018 by AshAsh1

[sillykitty 10,789]

4 hours ago, AshAsh1 said:

I wasn't able to get higher calories in until I reached my soft food phase. I'm not sure where you are in the food progression. Its actually a lot easier than you think it would be. Solid food=more calories. You will find that it means more restriction too. On liquids and soft foods, I could eat a full cup. Now, solid foods I'm lucky to get a 1/2 cup in. I'm not sure what your program allows, but I'd stay away from cocktails. Actually, I'd stay away from all drinks that include calories. My surgeon warned that caloric liquids is one of the sure fast ways of regaining weight. No surgery can prevent you from drinking your calories. In my program, I can't have alcohol until 6 months out. Honestly, its not safe at 3 weeks. You can significantly slow your recovery.

I'm on soft foods, but honestly I've been eating all types of Protein, even steak. I can only eat 1-2 oz at a time, so there is still no way I can get up to 1000 cals, if I'm making healthy choices. I also am choosing not to snack (mostly) and have 3 meals a day, plus a Protein Shakes, so that restricts the calories I can consume.

I totally understand about empty calories. I don't consume alcohol when I'm on my own. But at events like I'm at this week, it would be very conspicuous if I only had a glass of Water in my hand. I'm trying to hide the fact I've had this surgery. My calorie consumption from food is so low, honestly a few hundred calories from a cocktail isn't going to hurt. I'm also confident that I can handle an ounce or two of liquor with no consequences. I'm not taking a shot, but sipping on a single cocktail over 4 hrs.

[sillykitty 10,789]

3 hours ago, dinosore said:

A whole cup? I can only do about 3 tablespoons or a small yoghurt and I'm done? is anyone else in the same boat?

How far out are you? I never felt any real restrictions with liquid-y foods, like yogurt or Soup. I could keep eating, I just had to make myself stop when I felt satisfied.

Solid foods like chicken though, yep, definitely feel the restriction after 1-2 oz, or even less sometimes.