Anyone been hungry a couple days post-op?

Hi there! Just had surgery on Tuesday (1/25/05) and came home yesterday (1/27/05). Doing pretty well - took a shower today, reached the dog's bowls on the floor, and can even wipe! Here's my question: Has anyone experienced being hungry after surgery? I'm drinking all my liquids like I'm supposed to - 6 oz. every hour. Tummy does gurgle here and there. It hurts to burp or sneeze. But overall, I think everything's going fine. These things seem pretty normal to me, but I really wasn't expecting to feel my stomach growl loudly and to feel hungry! Anyone else experienced this?

I also have been hungry and was hoping I would not be, at least for the first several weeks! The smell of foods makes me very hungry and makes my tummy rumble a lot even if I just ate. I feel like I could eat all the time, but when I do eat, I do actually get a full feeling in my abdomen, but am still hungry (head hunger?). I can eat at least 1/4 cup of pureed food every 3 to 4 hours and feel this is too much food to be eating at this point. I too am worried about this. I spoke to my nutritionist about it and she said once I am on real chunks of food I will fill up better. I can eat just about anything I have tried (but have not tried much!). I do not tolerate sugar-free drinks at all though. These make me have diarrhea. Have not actually gotten sick from anything yet and feel my stomach is not as sensitive as everyone elses. Good luck to you. You are not alone! Sue R.

Thanks Sue! How long did you have to stay on a liquid diet?

Surgery on Thursday at noon. I was on clear liquids for lunch on the day after surgery (Friday) after my leak test in the morning. Then full liquids for dinner, and pureed food for breakfast and lunch on Saturday. I went home right after lunch the on Saturday. (There was a terrible snow storm so went home early to avoid being stuck in the hospital without anyone to take me home). Sue R.

Robin, I know that when I did the liquid stage, it seemed like I could just keep taking them in 24/7 and never get full. I worried that my surgery was done wrong and they had left the big part of my stomach hooked up instead of the little pouch Once you get to eating foods with more consistancy (like eggs, chicken, cheese, etc.), you will notice that you forget about being hungry a bit more. The head hunger will take longer - I sometimes get when my kids are eating cheetos with their supper and want to just grab one and see what it does. But I don't. I didn't come this far to screw it up now. Hang in there. Find someone that you can totally lay it all out with and let them be your sounding board (which you started in a good place by posting here) Good luck! Amanda

Amanda, I had to laugh when you said you were worried that they left the big part of your stomach hooked up instead of the little pouch! I wondered the same thing! I'm glad to hear that maybe when I get to eat more "food" food instead of just liquid, it won't be so bad. Right now on the liquid diet, I feel hunger pangs in my little stomach and have very strong, dull, squeezing headaches like when you haven't eaten in days! I'm scheduled to start protein drinks after the 1 week follow-up with the doctor, but I'm wondering if I could start those sooner. When did you start protein drinks? When did you start soft food?

Every doctor is different. Mine had me start the protein drinks on my 3rd day out - said that they counted as a full liquid. I was 10 days out (my first post op appointment) when I started soft foods. I had to have an egg, any way I wanted it, before the visit. He said that if I tolerated that well, he would move me on to soft proteins. I haven't been doing the protein shakes since I went to soft proteins, because I can get a good bit of protein through them. Keep going! It gets easier as you get to add more things. Good luck! Amanda

Thanks, Amanda! I really started feeling bad this afternoon and finally decided that I HAD to have some protein so I went to Wal-Mart a little while ago and got some protein drinks and powder. Came home and put some of the powder in a little milk and drank it over the last hour. RELIEF! Headache's gone. Stomach no longer feels like it's in a vice grip. You're right, each doctor is different AND each of us is different. I was just so scared not to follow every rule to the "T", but there has to be some leeway for individual body needs... Thanks again for the encouragement!

Hi Robin, I had surgery on the 19th and was sent home on full liquids and soft foods...and yes..I get hungry..not just head hunger...and I have tolerated everything..yet to be sick..yet to dump...I do get full..but I can eat way more than a tablespoon of food...I also seemed to retain water from the fluids in the hospital and have been feeling bloated and noticing swelling in my feet...other than that..it has been so seamless..I almost could convince myself that I have not had surgery..I feel normal..not having all the finicky problems people are always whining about on the main board....and worried about the fact that I am not full on 2 tablespoons of food...I can eat a half can of heated refried beans with cheese...of course these are still soft foods...but I don't seem to have any drastic restriction..I can drink liquids with no problem..they just go right in...I secretly wonder if I have botched surgery! calorie wise I am taking in way under 1000 a day and fighting to get in 60 mg of protein through natural foods...in the soft stage this is not easy! I think I can swallow more because soft just goes right down maybe?? I see my Doc this coming Thursday and I don't think I am gonna come back saying i lost 30 pounds in 2 weeks!,,,But then he did not put me on a starvation liquid diet for 2 weeks either....it all drives me nutts..I'm tired and sick of the whole mess at the moment...it would just be my luck to endure all of this to fail... Would like to hear feedback? Sher'

OMG, I am not alone! :-0 I have been going through the same thing. At first, I could not stand to eat the pureed stuff because it was nasty. Then my gourmet chef husband started making the food for me. He made spagetti sauce with powder( I ate at least 2 oz.), He bought Pollo Loco Chicken and pureed it mixed with my powder( I ate 4 oz.) He made a delicious Salmon Mousse, too. He makes me smoothies with vanilla powdered protein and banana. I even had a little taste( one spoonful) of guacamole last night. I was sure that I was cheating(although I drank my liquids and took my meds.) It was just too easy! After 9 days I have lost 15 lbs.! I am seriously considering trying Taco Bells Beans and Cheese and adding the protein powder at home. I am off of my diabetic meds. already and although I still take my blood sugar twice a day, I am certain that the diabetes is now history. If this is cheatin' then don't tell me!!!!! Lou Ann