I am 1 week post op from getting the gastric sleeve and I do not feel full. I was put straight on a soft food diet and only eat 2-3oz of food at a time because that's what i was told however I do not feel full after. I am a stickler for rules so I try and follow to the tee but my stomach is always gurgling as if it is hungry. I try hard to meet my protein and water goals although I am not always successful. Does the gurgling mean I am still hungry or is that just part of the healing process? I am scared that I will suffer from malnutrition (ironic because this was NEVER a concern of mine before lol).

Gurgling stomach is completely normal before and after bariatric surgery! It doesn't mean hunger it means its digesting! I too never feel "full" and have never had the honeymoon phase of not being hungry. Just be aware you're this way and be vigilant in your eating and portions.

We're all different, just stick to the plan you were given and have faith it will work!

Edited July 23, 20242 yr by BlondePatriotInCDA

Lots of nerves were cut during your surgery so the messages/signals you used to feel around your eating rather aren’t getting through or are distorted. It’s why it’s so important to stick to the portion sizes and timing for eating/drinking you’ve been given. It takes about 8 weeks to fully recover from the surgery & the nerves are healed. It’s then too that you may start to feel your restriction (a tightness across your upper chest).

It’s a good opportunity to become more aware of more subtle signals around having had enough or too much to eat or drink. I still ask myself do I need the next bite or sip or do I just want it & I’m five years out. Also when your signals do come back you may notice they’re different. Sneezing, runny nose, hiccups, etc can all be your new signals for having eaten or drunk enough.

A gurgling tummy,or hunger pangs aren’t in most cases a signal you are hungry. They’re usual a signal that your digestive system is working. I don’t know why but the gurgling & growling seems much louder after surgery. Mine are very loud & yes I still get them (it’s happening now). I say I have a poltergeist in my tummy, rumbling, grumbling, squelching & rattling the chains. My younger nieces & nephew think it’s hilarious!

All the best with your recovery.

Just now, Arabesque said:

Lots of nerves were cut during your surgery so the messages/signals you used to feel around your eating rather aren’t getting through or are distorted. It’s why it’s so important to stick to the portion sizes and timing for eating/drinking you’ve been given. It takes about 8 weeks to fully recover from the surgery & the nerves are healed. It’s then too that you may start to feel your restriction (a tightness across your upper chest).

It’s a good opportunity to become more aware of more subtle signals around having had enough or too much to eat or drink. I still ask myself do I need the next bite or sip or do I just want it & I’m five years out. Also when your signals do come back you may notice they’re different. Sneezing, runny nose, hiccups, etc can all be your new signals for having eaten or drunk enough.

A gurgling tummy,or hunger pangs aren’t in most cases a signal you are hungry. They’re usual a signal that your digestive system is working. I don’t know why but the gurgling & growling seems much louder after surgery. Mine are very loud & yes I still get them (it’s happening now & I’m eating so I’m definitely not hungry ?). I say I have a poltergeist in my tummy, rumbling, grumbling, squelching & rattling the chains. My younger nieces & nephew think it’s hilarious!

All the best with your recovery.

Oh my word! The gurgling stomach!! I joked with my mom that the 20% that was left for my stomach was awful chatty about getting rid of the rest of her!!!!! It isn’t as loud the second week I feel like.

The first 2-3 weeks are super important for sticking to the post op diet because a lot of nerves were cut, so we don't get the "stop eating, I'm full" signal right away. We can actually hurt ourselves by eating things we shouldn't or eating too much because we think we can because we're not getting those signals yet. Just stick to what your plan says to do. Once the nerves start to heal, you'll be REALLY glad you got in the habit of eating properly.

As for the gurgling...get use to it lol I'm 2 years and 3 months out from my original surgery and 14 months out from my revision, and the gurgling is still here. Shows up at the worst times, too. Sexy time, at the movies, out to dinner, when I'm with a patient at work lol It's just a part of life now.