Hunger pangs

[Virginia M 5]

Hello again,

I asked this in another topic but was wondering if anyone has felt strong hunger pangs right after surgery or since surgery and what do you do when it hits just 2 hours after eating?

thank you

[Hop_Scotch 1,634]

Are you taking acid reducers? It may well be physical hunger you are feeling but it could also be that you are thirsty or excess stomach acid.

[Virginia M 5]

Yes, I am taking acid reducers, I will try to get more Water in. I use the bariatric app and I’m getting more than 64 oz of water a day. But I am am struggling to get my 60-90 grams of Protein, shakes make me sick...anything thick anymore make me nauseous these days.

[Flikka 20]

5 weeks post surgery and your story was mine to a T on the liquid phase. I ended up having a few mouthfuls of shake then waited until I was hungry again and repeat. My dietician was more interested in me keeping up protien and fluids than me not eating between meals.

I also found adding an extra 150mls of Water to the shakes to thin their consistency helpful. Once you get on solid food this problem goes away. Hang in there. It gets better and the journey is different for all of us.

If in doubt always check in with your dietician. They really are the experts and have lots of good advice. I wish you well x

[Arabesque 7,566]

I diluted my shakes too because they were awful & grainy. Didn’t really have meal times as such in the first two weeks. I’d just keep sipping my shake & Soup until they were finished. Didn’t care if it took hours. I’d start the shake in the morning & then have soup late afternoon. (Don’t forget you can have soup & bone broth.)

My Multi Vitamins made me nauseous (always did). Try splitting the dose or taking them later in the day when you’ve more in your tummy & see if that helps your nausea.

My surgeon said not to worry about meeting Fluid or Protein goals to begin just as long as you were making a concentrated effort. Also my shakes & Soups counted towards my fluid goals.

For many hunger feels different after surgery - probably finally feeling real hunger. The hunger you’re feeling may be head hunger as well as stomach acid hunger.

It gets easier.

[Virginia M 5]

Thank you for the feedback. I am almost 6 weeks post op and started having the hunger pangs 2 days after the surgery. I will try to add Water to my shakes to see if I can get them down for the Protein.

I am st2ill on soft foods foods, I had to go elsewhere to find good information, my surgeon and staff have not been helpful, rude actually, but will continue to meet with them as I am supposed to for the next 2 years. This whole experience has been one disaster after another and almost wished I had not gone through with it.

[Arabesque 7,566]

I’m sorry your medical team is not supportive. Lots of support & ideas on this forum which may help when your team won’t.

I stopped Protein Shakes as soon as I was on puréed food. There are lots of Protein rich foods you can eat to meet you’re protein goals at the soft food stage. eggs, yoghurt, Beans & lentils, fish, cheese. I ate lots of mince based meals: soft & easy to add favourite herbs & spices. The more solid foods will help with the nausea & hunger pangs too. solid food take longer to digest than fluids like shakes which go through you quickly.

The biggest challenge in the first couple of months is finding food your tummy likes & tastes ok. Your tummy can be very fussy & your tastebuds & sometimes sense of smell go haywire for a while & certain foods can taste & smell terrible.

[Flikka 20]

6 hours ago, Virginia M said:

Thank you for the feedback. I am almost 6 weeks post op and started having the hunger pangs 2 days after the surgery. I will try to add Water to my shakes to see if I can get them down for the Protein.

I am st2ill on soft foods foods, I had to go elsewhere to find good information, my surgeon and staff have not been helpful, rude actually, but will continue to meet with them as I am supposed to for the next 2 years. This whole experience has been one disaster after another and almost wished I had not gone through with it.

I am so so sorry to hear about your surgeon and staff. How awful!! I can only imagine how much more difficult they have made a stressful time. I hope you get through the next few weeks ok. I agree with Arabesque that people here are a wonderful support. xx

[Virginia M 5]

Thank you, I appreciate the encouragement.

[Qamilian1 32]

On 5/14/2021 at 7:55 PM, Flikka said:

5 weeks post surgery and your story was mine to a T on the liquid phase. I ended up having a few mouthfuls of shake then waited until I was hungry again and repeat. My dietician was more interested in me keeping up protien and fluids than me not eating between meals.

I also found adding an extra 150mls of Water to the shakes to thin their consistency helpful. Once you get on solid food this problem goes away. Hang in there. It gets better and the journey is different for all of us.

If in doubt always check in with your dietician. They really are the experts and have lots of good advice. I wish you well x

Hum.. I am at week 8. I have found since being on solid foods the hunger pangs are more pronounced. But they hit and then pass just as quickly. So I try to just make my Water goals during that time.

[Flikka 20]

14 hours ago, Qamilian1 said:

Hum.. I am at week 8. I have found since being on solid foods the hunger pangs are more pronounced. But they hit and then pass just as quickly. So I try to just make my Water goals during that time.

Oh no. That’s disappointing. We’re all so different aren’t we. x