So, I have been constantly drinking water and protein shakes and some pudding/jello here and there but it still seems that I am always hungry. I thought 5 days post surgery I would feel fuller more quickly. It’s like the first two days I would take one sip of water and feel full but now I can eat/drink way more and not feel anything. Any idea why or suggestions?

Liquids don't keep your stomach as full because they slide through the stomach. Once you start eating food you'll notice the restriction and start feeling fuller.

I agree with anonbaribabe above regarding liquids not keeping you full, but you sure this isn't what we call "head hunger"?

At 5 days post op, I had absolutely no desire to eat. I ate my liquid/puree food because I had to, not because I was hungry. I spent a lot of time those early days watching TV and remember that for the first time I noticed how many darn food commercials are on TV. It seemed like every other one was some juicy burger, taco joint, or fried chicken. I kept thinking that it seemed weird that I really didn't want any of those things. Yes, I remembered how they tasted, but unlike before surgery, I wasn't sitting there salivating and planning my next stop to the fast food drive-thru.

I'd say it took me at least a month (maybe more) before I noticed that I was hungry. And when it came, it seemed to come on fast. LIke I didn't recognize the early signs and went straight to "I am running on empty! Feed me!" It took me some time to figure my new hunger signals out to prevent that urgent hunger/need to eat.

I agree that it may be "head hunger" as I woke up from surgery and really REALLY wanted a cheeseburger. Of course I couldn't have one. Be patient with yourself and the process. Every single person is different and while these things can be similar, your experience will be unique to you. My hunger pangs and cravings are gone now, I'm allowed solids now but the hunger is non-existent whereas I had them bad for a couple of weeks after surgery. Give your body and mind time to heal, rest and adjust to your new way of life. Congratulations on your surgery and hang in there!

I think it's a combination of things like the others have already mentioned. One is that you're on liquids and they don't feel the same way as solid food so you're not necessarily feeling full. The other is the "head hunger" that we all get that is more relative to our expectations of eating food than it really is to being hungry. It's just been a short while since your surgery, give it some more time and you'll see that you're not as hungry and you'll want to eat very little.

I have yet to fell actual hunger. cravings? HELL YES. but not actual hunger.

1st week I had no hunger at all. My 2nd week I remember thinking I was starving! It subsided though.

So, I have been constantly drinking Water and Protein Shakes and some pudding/jello here and there but it still seems that I am always hungry. I thought 5 days post surgery I would feel fuller more quickly. It’s like the first two days I would take one sip of water and feel full but now I can eat/drink way more and not feel anything. Any idea why or suggestions?

I am sooo with you Meg. I dont think the folks who say they're "just not hungry" or "force themselves to eat" realize I dont have head hunger! It's a real emptiness in my tummy that calls to me... feed me, I'm hungry. Accompanied by physical growls!!!!! I cant imagine not being hungry...I hoped the surgery would deliver the fullness in my tummy. It has not. Grrr. I wish others would be more understanding sometimes. I'm sorry you're struggling, but you are NOT alone.

7 hours ago, Mel36695 said:

I am sooo with you Meg. I dont think the folks who say they're "just not hungry" or "force themselves to eat" realize I dont have head hunger! It's a real emptiness in my tummy that calls to me... feed me, I'm hungry. Accompanied by physical growls!!!!! I cant imagine not being hungry...I hoped the surgery would deliver the fullness in my tummy. It has not. Grrr. I wish others would be more understanding sometimes. I'm sorry you're struggling, but you are NOT alone.

So chances are you are going through the withdrawal from sugar and carbs at the same time you're recovering from surgery. That INCREASES your hunger cuz your blood sugar and insulin are battling. Drink the LOWEST carb protein shakes that you can. Drink plain water, not sweetened waters. Eat sf jello. Ditch the pudding. Suck on sf popsicles. Try using unflavored protein in broths so it's savory rather than sweet. Check out some protein soup broths from Alex @bariatricpal store.