Had the sleeve on July 25. I am following the program and still on soft food for another month. But I am always hungry and its not in my head. I am really looking at making sure I have no liquids after eating, but doesn't seem to work. Has any one experience this and what can I do.

I'm still pre-op but from what I've read in other forums, excess stomach acid production can strongly mimic the feeling of being hungry. Are you on any kind of medication after surgery? I would call your docs office and describe what you're experiencing. They may want to put you on something to see if that helps.

What types of foods are you eating? I find protein fills me up and lasts longer than if I do something with carbs. Things like oatmeal and cooked vegetables by themselves don't keep me satisfied very long, but some salmon or chicken will go a long way.

From what I've read/watched, if you drink after eating without waiting the 30 minutes it can help move the food/drinks you had out of your stomach and cause hunger sooner. Also what @FutureRN19 mentioned about acid refulx.

I just dealt with this with my surgical PA appt; she had WLS 4 years ago so she fully understands the stages and pitfalls and emotions. I said "I never feel full, never feel satisfied, am always hungry and have cravings. Was it a false expectation to think surgery would eliminate cravings? The anxiety from seeking a sense of satisfaction has led me to prematurely eat foods in the next stage. Also, (33 days out) I have had 2 weight stalls, which I expected, but then I gained a pound! I am depressed and feel I am careening toward yet another, AGAIN, dieting Epic Fail, even knowing it is illogical due to the surgery factor. Her replys: 1. Forgeddaboutit - don't look toward food for any sense of satisfaction, ever. Seek other kinds of satisfaction in your life. 2. For most people, cravings disappear after 5-6 weeks. 3. No! You are not failing. Your body needs time to catch up, and it balks like a toddler. 4. Everything you are going through and feeling is all normal. This is HARD WORK and it is more mental than physical.

Her words were reassuring, eased much of the anxiety, and the next day I included her in my will (!),I then lost a pound and another pound today. But a discussion with my brother has me confused, so I turn to the rest of you for input. What is your definition of satiety? Do you find any enjoyment from a good meal, either now or before? Do you feel satisfied after a tasty meal where you are not overly full. Do you EXPECT to feel satisfied from a flavorful, healthy meal? Do you now eat only for fuel - eat to live? Isn't it possible to enjoy what you eat any more - to eat for Balance, Moderation, and Variety? Maybe it's just semantics and different interpretations of the words. Why have all these bari-cookbooks if not to enjoy meals? Why not just eat the same things forever and use protein drinks? What are YOUR expectations once you can have regular food again - meats, fruits with skins, celery, etc?

16 minutes ago, nibble said:

What is your definition of satiety?

Only being a month out from surgery. I struggle to find that happy spot. I almost always tend to eat one or two to many bites and feel a bit uncomfortable after. Strangely the few times I have felt satisfied were when I felt like I was stopping early. Letting the food settle over time and all is good. BTW I've yet to know what under eating feels like, I haven't done that yet.

I am 3+ months out of surgery.

I don't enjoy food. There I said it. Take today for example, over here in the uk we traditionally have what we call a Sunday dinner which consists of a joint of meat (if you aren't vegetarian) along with vegetables and roast potatoes as well as fabulous Yorkshire Puddings with gravy.

I haven't enjoyed any of my "Sunday dinners" since after my surgery. Its a combination of things I think, even though I put a tiny amount on my plate, I still get anxious that I won't be able to enjoy it and that I will fill up too quickly. This makes it a self fulfilling prophecy as it feels like my stomach gets tighter and then obviously I can only eat a few mouthfuls.

I don't get hungry very often at all but I do get head hunger most days which is a pain. I want to eat something, because I am thinking I should be eating for my health, even though I am not hungry, confused much lol.

In saying that, I did enjoy something yesterday but I think it was because I knew the size of it before I started eating it and I didn't get anxious about it. It was half a corn cob with a little butter on it,it was divine!

Its a journey as we all know and I have been lucky in that I have lost weight most weeks so haven't really suffered much (yet!)

I am almost 6 weeks out and finally not feeling hungry most of the time. I was starting to wonder if the surgery didn't work for me. In the last couple of weeks I feel like my appetite has greatly decreased. I agree with others, I do better with high protein, low carbs. It keeps me full much longer.

17 minutes ago, KRR said:

I am almost 6 weeks out and finally not feeling hungry most of the time. I was starting to wonder if the surgery didn't work for me. In the last couple of weeks I feel like my appetite has greatly decreased. I agree with others, I do better with high Protein, low carbs. It keeps me full much longer.

I've had the same thought about wondering if the surgery didn't work for me. LOL I was sleeved on 7/31 and I've been getting really hungry between my protein shake, water, and a few tablespoons of food here and there.

Are you currently on a PPI? Sometimes gastritis and/or excess stomach acid masquerade as hunger pangs. Are going too long between meals and snacks that your stomach is empty? it may be saying " she used to throw juicy treats down here if I asked- what's with this austerity plan or measures?" I'm not HAPPY, and when I'm not HAPPY nobody will be permitted to be happy!"
You may be suppering from Bossy Bowel syndrome, inform your stomach who the real BOSS is.

1 hour ago, Frustr8 said:

a PPI?

...PPI ? I don't know what this is.

Pi= proton-pump inhibitor=Drug taken for heartburn

PPI are protein pump inhibitors. They help your stomach not pump out so much acids. Both surgeries should slow down or,nearly stop acid production. But remember your stomach is very peeved with you. You might have studied up, decided that surgery would benefit you more than not having surgery,for resolved this with your brain. Meanwhile your stomach was very happy, you were tossing down daily a whole bunch of goodies for it to play with and digest. First you sent down water and other liquids. Then before it got a chance to say "What ?are YOU doing to ME" you allowed a surgeon to come in, slash, gash and generally,butcher it. No wonder it's peeved, and since its not wired for Bluetooth this the only way it has to respond. Does this help explain this? So a PPI is a specialized acid reducer.??

I am on Omeprazole (Nexium) for 3 months. Is that what you're referring to?

Yep it sure isn I'm on Dexilent myself, have been since last January. At that time I was diagnosed with gastritis and Hector, my tiny ulcer produced from overuse of Ibuprofen and other NSAIDS.

What soft foods are you eating?

Yogurts, cottage cheese, jello, soup, pudding?

Chicken salad, tuna salad, flaked fish, tofu, hummus, refried beans?

Some things "slide" right through you leaving you hungry quickly, (if you see the term sliders thrown around thats whats being referring to)

Even in the soft stage you have to try to eat denser protein to stay fuller longer, this will be the balancing act of your journey

I combat my "hunger" (some times its not) with warm soothing drinks until the next scheduled meal.

BTW You can do this !!!

Edited August 20, 20188 yr by GreenTealael