3 days post-op & hungry

[JennaP 8]

Hiya! I am recovering pretty well & I'm getting my fluids in and my Protein. I have had cramping & nausea but today has been better for that too. My pain is definitely lessened & I can move and walk and take stairs without feeling exhausted. I actually wake up like normal and maybe take a short nap. I feel like I'm healing too fast...like I should be having a harder time & since I'm not, I think it failed. I'm even feeling hungry. Is this unusual?

[Tim C 335]

I think you may be experiencing Head Hunger. They took out the part of your stomach that had the Hunger Hormone. I had my surgery on 2/23 and have not been hungry. I have had to deal with Head hunger a few times. Spend as much time here as you can and you will be fine. I too have had a very uneventful recovery, honestly amazing. Good luck!

[catwoman7 10,883]

I had a super easy surgery and recovery, too. Part of me worried they hadn't even done the surgery!

most people don't have any hunger for several weeks or months after the surgery, but some do. But like Tim said, it could also be head hunger or stomach acid. Do they have you on something like omeprazole? Most surgeons have their patients on it for 3-6 months after surgery. Thirst will also sometimes mimic hunger. I mean - it COULD be hunger, but it's more likely one of those other things.

[Recidivist 1,141]

I agree with both Tim and Catwoman. My recovery was incredibly easy, with almost no pain. (Well, it was after they repaired a leak the day after surgery.) I felt essentially no hunger for months, and I agree that you may well be feeling "head hunger," which is some ways can be more challenging than actual hunger after surgery.

[JennaP 8]

Thanks everybody! I realize that sometimes the cramping feels similar to stomach growling so maybe I'm mixing them up. I'm glad I'm not the only person who worries that maybe they *didn't actually* perform the surgery. I'm so grateful that I'm not miserable; I had assumed it was the price of admission.

[Tim C 335]

Yeah...Honestly I have been amazed at these first 10 days and how well the surgery went. I am looking forward to a great future! Good luck...You will be fine!

[XtinaDoesIt 196]

Hi Jenna,

I also had/been having a pretty easy recovery. I had my surgery on Feb 8. Sometimes, I do feel hungry though. I can tell when it's just head hunger when I'm am hungry for something specific. Like when I am craving something salty or one of my old Snacks. But if I feel I should eat something and go for yogurt or something I think that's hunger.. maybe. Lol. Im also just figuring it out. My body hasn't been super consistent with food right now. Some days I feel hungry, some days I can't get down more than a few bites of Protein. It's still pretty early for me... I decided not to freak out about anything... until I'm 3 months out.