Hello, I had gastric sleeve 10/17/22 and I’m feeling defeated. Let me start off by saying I have been preparing myself for this surgery for almost a year. I started my pre op diet 4 weeks before my surgery and lost 20lbs, then had a 2 day liquid diet. My sw was 286.8 and day of surgery it was 268.8.

my surgery went great and when I got home I weighed 269.0 but I figured that I was swollen and still really gassy from surgery.

that’s not my problem though. I’m SO hungry. My post op diet consists of 1 week clear liquid, 1 week of thicker liquids, then onto purée. Well pretty much since I got home I’ve been eating creamy soups as I just couldn’t tolerate the broth any longer. I am so sick of broth I can’t stand it. And even worse tonight I snuck a couple pieces of elbow macaroni. I tolerated it just fine but I’m scared I’m just going to eat like I did before. I even ate a couple spoons of mashed potatoes last night. I know I’m not supposed to but my mind is lying to me telling me I’m starving.

I’m not looking to get lectured…maybe just some advice.

I had a different sleeve procedure (ESG), but had the same fears. I thought I was feeling hunger. So I talked to my team about it, expecting the lecture. But they told me something that really opened my eyes: I have for decades interpreted every little stomach gurgle as a hunger signal. (This was part of my problem that led to my weight gain.) Time to stop and think about it first. Is this really hunger, or could it be thirst, gas, another sort of discomfort? I mean, like you I am only weeks out, so there is really no way this could be real hunger.

I was told see if it responds to a sip of water. See if a sip of protein shake helps. Change position (sit/stand/turn over if in bed) to see if that makes it go away. Try a lozenge -- I had some sugar-free lemon Ricola drops because of the sore throat typical after an endoscopy. Bingo! That worked wonders! I don't know if it's an oral fixation thing, but a tiny lozenge does the trick. Here's how I know I am not really hungry: if I am working on a work project, I can go all day without feeling hunger. I am one of those that has to set a reminder to eat on my phone. So that feeling I was interpreting as hunger was something else. ("I'm not saying it was aliens, but it could have been aliens." ?)

19 minutes ago, kaylee50 said:

("I'm not saying it was aliens, but it could have been aliens." ?)

I'm pretty sure it was aliens. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! ?

In all seriousness, I think @kaylee50 has given you some great advice. Foremost, talk to your team. You may not "really" be hungry (It may be what we call "head hunger"), though it's possible. Either way, they should be able to help.

That’s very helpful, thank you!

The truth is some people don’t lose their hunger after surgery. But it’s best to rule out the other culprits of thinking you may be hungry first.

As @kaylee50 said, in almost most cases a rumbling, grumbling tummy does not mean you’re hungry. It’s just your digestive system doing what it’s supposed to: digest food. Not all food digests as fast as others so sometimes it can occur some ti e after you’ve eaten.

This also leads to are you on a PPI as stomach acid can make you think you’re hungry too.

Head hunger is a big culprit & a tough one to battle. Our brains are powerful & can convince us of lots of things. Are you hungry because you think it’s time to eat like it’s lunch time so I should be hungry? Are you hungry out of habit like because your watching a movie? Are you hungry because you’re stressed, sad, angry, frustrated, etc. & food is a way to sooth or comfort yourself? (The surgery is pretty stressful on your body, emotions & mind.) Do you think you’re hungry because your brain is telling you eating so little can’t be enough food?

Try drinking something. I found a cup of green/herbal tea soothing & helpful. Distraction is also good. Go for stroll. Water your plants. Read, craft, play a game. Check out social media, you tube, this forum. Even waiting half an hour before having something to eat is often enough as real hunger doesn’t abate but head hunger does.

Be careful eating foods not on your list of staged approved food. The restricted diet is in place to support & protect your healing tummy. Remember all because you can doesn’t mean you should.

All the best.

I'm 1 month out & I 100% thought I was hungry too, it made my first week miserable. For me those those 'hunger' bubbles were iust gas! & I knew it was gas/a burp because I felt the bubble form as soon as I finished eating my food. I'd burp & it'd go away. I have that feeling right now after eating an egg w veggie sausage in it. Once I MENTALLY understood what was going on, I was fine. We just have to re-learn how to read our bodies.

Congratulations on your loss so far. Just talk to your team and get to the root of the hungry feelings. Most people really do lose their hunger immediately post surgery so it most likely is something else.

I went thru the same thing. For the past few years it comes and goes. It’s a battle I fight every day. Remember the amount, I believe if your have real hunger eat . If you have head hunger find something to do or eat something little. If I waited to long head hunger would send me into a serious food freenzy.