I THINK MY POUCH IS BROKEN!

I really think i have broken it....i'm getting this hungery feeling alot while i'm at work. I got some trail mix...but my nut said it's not good for me. I'm drinking more...but even at night i'm getting hungry. Did i break my investment...what's wrong with me..i walk and ride my back and i'm still the same weight...is it because i'm alway hungry...and exhausted.  I really think i've broke it...almost 20,000 down the drain....

Is it real hunger or head hunger?  Real hunger this early out is rare.  The physical place that surgeons cut to make the pouch partially (and sometimes completely) severes the place in the stomach that produces ghrelin (the hormone that physically tells us we are hungry).  It does recover somewhat over time, but it NEVER works the way it did pre-op.  In fact, studies show that RNY post-ops, on average, produce 77% less ghrelin than non-ops.  So even if you have started producing ghrelin again and even if it is MORE ghrelin than your average post-op, you should never feel as much physical hunger as you did pre-op.  If you get the hungry feeling, do you up your fluids?  (I agree with the NUT about the trail mix.  You don't want to get into the grazing habit to get through the day.)  I've read that Americans are consistently courting dehydration and that we mistake thirst for hunger much of the time.  So many times when we really feel hungry, it's thirst.  Do you eat on a schedule or at different times daily?  I've read that eating at the same times every day consistently (at 7, 11, 3 & 7 for instance) will "train" the body to eventually only get hungry at those times.  So maybe if you eat at different times, try eating at the same times daily for a week or two and see if the hunger (at times other than meal times) improves. When you eat your meals, are you eating high protein meals?  Are you getting enough complex carbs?  The more protein and complex carbs you get with your meals, the longer the meal will typically leave you satisfied (even true for non-ops).   When you get that hungry feeling between meals, why not try a few ounces of protein shake or skim milk?  I find that really fills me up and makes me almost feel like I ate something - even when I haven't done anything but drank.  You did not break your investment.  You are just beginning your journey.  Every journey in life has unexpected obstacles and there are bumps and chugholes in almost every road.  You get past them and keep going.  

Girl I know where you are coming from! I would take the advice that Wendy gave to heart because it is certainly helping me. I do not plan any snacks in my day. If I plan a snack, I feel like I have just authorized myself to graze! I eat at the same time every day and I get hungry at those times, but I'll tell you it's not real hunger. If I'm super busy at work and don't pay attention to the clock, I'll work right through lunch! I drink three 24 ounce glasses of water before I have to stop for lunch. This is the time where I take all of my vitamins except iron as well. It keeps me on the right track.  My problem is being snacky when I get home. I get bored and I can tell you that I am the worst at getting my fluids in at home. Alot of that hunger feeling is thirst (as Wendy said). If I would just grab a glass of water or tea, I wouldnt get that feeling. Last night I did fabulous because I was working on my sister's baby shower stuff after I got home. But on the flip side, at about 830, I realized I hadn't drank a drop since about 5. I grabbed a big glass and went to town. Hang in there and try to get in touch with the signals your body is sending. If you just want to chew (which is often my case and usually I want something crunchy:-)) I get a pickle spear. I'm ga ga over Klaussen(sp?) pickles and one spear does the trick. Hang in there and we'll make it through together!

Even as far out as I am, I don't get hungry very often, matter of fact I find myself "wanting" to eat when I am not doing much or just sitting and not keeping busy, I guess that is the head hunger.  Wanting to eat just because I want to eat.  Definitly try drinking a protein shake when you "feel" hungry and see how that goes for you.  That helps me out sometimes.  I will admit that sometimes I buy beef jerky and munch on it, but I am trying to break that habit as I have found myself grazing more than I should.