Question:
7 weeks postop, not feeling full & hungery 2 hrs after eatng
I had RNY on April 9,07. I have never felt full. I have never thrownup and within 2 , 2 1/2 hrs of eating I get hungary. I do not drink liquids at least 45 mins before & after eating. I eat 98% protein per meal & I can eat 6 to 7 ozs. per meal. I probably could eat more but I stop, never feeling satisfied, or never feeling full. Then 2 to 2 1/2 hrs. after eating I am hungery. Whats wrong? — LaurieP (posted on May 31, 2007)
May 31, 2007
I have a friend who is the same way. Nothing is wrong pursay. RNY is not a
guarantee to not feel full or hungry. It is a side effect of the surgery
that many, but not all patients experience. You have a tool (your new
pouch) and you will have to learn how to use it with the side effects or
lack there of with your surgeon, nutrionist, PCP or whomever. My friend
worked with the sugeron's nutrionist and medical group's nutrionist to work
out a food/exercise plan that works for her and her being dissatisfied with
food intake and feeling hungry. All I can say is, yes...it can be
normal....there are many, many people out there who can eat and not feel
full and feel hungry. Work with your medical support people to work out a
plan for you. Good luck. Remember, it's just a tool - it depends on how you
use your tool that matters. :)
— jammerz
May 31, 2007
Hi there! I experienced the same thing you are going through for the first
6 months after my RNY. As you can imagine, I was completely freaking out!
(especially during the holiday season...ugh!!!)
I did see my nutritionist however, and she got me back on track. Now I'm at
11 months post op, and life is wonderful! (started at 315, now down to
172...16 pounds to goal-woohoo!)
In all seriousness though, see your nutritionist again, or your surgeon, or
even your support group if you have one. Those guys and gals are wonderful,
not only for emotional support, but on ideas on what to eat as well. Hope
this helps! Take it from me, things do get better!
— [Deactivated Member]
May 31, 2007
Are you positive it's hunger you are feeling? I had the same problem for
the first few months, I always felt what I thought was hunger. But, I
talked to my nutritionist and she said it was probably my stomach healing
from the surgery and it just felt like I was hungry. It took me a while to
differentiate between what was real hunger and what was just my new stomach
healing or acting up or sometimes even head hunger (VERY COMMON after
surgery). I'm still trying to figure it out!
Just keep up with what you have been doing and hopefully it will subside.
Mine did at about 2 1/2 - 3 months out and now the only thing I worry about
is how my head hunger can truly mess with me. It's a constant struggle, but
so worth it.
— [Deactivated Member]
June 1, 2007
Hi there! Actually, I don't think anything is "wrong". At 7
weeks out, you SHOULD be "hungry" every couple of hours, because
your pouch can't really hold enough to keep you sated longer than that.
Just keep drinking your water and throw in another protein shake if the
hunger is distracting you. There's no such thing as "too much
protein" at this stage! Best of luck!
— momstah
June 1, 2007
Hi Laurie, thanks for your question. I am glad you are sticking to the
program, even though it is hard for you. Let me encourage you that some of
what you are feeling is head hunger. Our head loves to trick us, and we
obese people love to fall for it. Don't fall for it. It feels like real
hunger, the anxiety is like real hunger, but it is not, you are not
starving, not even a little. I would suggest that you try to measure your
pouch. How do you do that do you ask? Good question. You can take
cottage cheese, and eat as much as you can in 5 minutes, or until you are
"full". Start with a quarter cup, then another quarter, etc. In
5 minutes, whatever you can eat to produce a "full" feeling is
the size of your pouch, 4 or 6 or 8 or whatever ounces. Here is the thing.
The harmones we have will trick us into thinking that we can eat more than
our stomach will actually hold. Once you know what your level is you have
to stick with that much physical food, and ignore the "hunger"
that will come later. Drinking warm herbal tea helps sooth the pouch
sometimes. Stay away, far away from sugar drinks, juices and sodas. These
are all horrible for you at this stage in your weight loss. It causes
nothing but problems, as caffine also does as well. These things will also
trick you into thinking you want more food. Stick to water, protein and
exercise, then some light veggies as you feel you can. You have a lot of
hope, but it sounds like the head games are really strong for you,
especially if you don't consume sugar or caffine. Take care, and best to
you. You can win this battle, it is a strong battle, but you can win it,
just one day at a time. At 3 years out, I am still fighting the battle
just one day at a time. Take care, Patricia P.
— Patricia P
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