4 Days Out & Some ?'s For The Pro's

3:30 A.M. in Northern Michigan Surgery was last Wednesday.  Home and doing well.  Pain not too bad.  No nausea.  Drain is a little uncomfortable.  Haveing BM(s) daily.  So for all you that are in the know... I am "hungry" all the time. I drink Propel, Chick Broth, Popsicles, Jello. Hungry 5 minutes later. Any "cure" or great ideas while sticking to the clear liquid diet??? Also, NO SLEEP. 2-4 hours in a 24 hour period. No big deal other than I am BORED to tears. What about asking Doc for sleeping meds?? I will be calling Doc in 5hrs when his office opens about the sleep.. Just looking for any input in meantime. Any input anybody???

Hi Tim, Don't know what to tell you. I'll try to keep you busy till someone comes on-line who has a better understanding of your problum, I had the lap band and did not have any problums

Good Morning Tim! OKay, YOU ARE NOT HUNGRY.  This is in your head.  I promise.  Yes, Keep Busy.  This is the Demon that will get you.  Just keep taking in your fluids.

I couldnt sleep well either.  Unless you have to work, I wouldnt worry about it.  Ya know, driving heavy equipment, crap like that..  Otherwise, do what we all did, TAKE LOTS OF NAPS DURING THE DAY.  Its uncomfortable lying in bed for 10 hours overnite.  We were miserable as well.  But it gets better quickly.  Hang in there buddy.

Yeah sleeping will be different right after surgery....it will come back to normal soon. Sounds like you are doing well, and it is "head hunger" you arent truely hungry....just keep sipping your water and protein....every day gets better. Shannon

Congrats Tim~ I had mine done on the 5th as well. At first I thought I was hungry too ~ but I figured out its not hunger its bordom. I am bored of being in the house and im really bored of the foods we have to eat. Not a whole lot to pick from. I have the same sleeping problem 2-3 hrs at a time on the loveseat. But than I nap on and off most of the day. Unlike yourself I have a bit of pain (which is getting a little better) and the drugs make me tired and spaced out . So just hold off till (we) you get out of the clear liq stage I bet it will be better. Good Luck

Congrats on the surgery.   Before getting prescribed sleep meds, try some Tylenol PM.  I had sleep meds for other reasons, and the side effects were awful.  Tylenol PM did the trick for me.   Keep busy.  I am 9 months out and still have the same "hunger" issues in the evening.  I have picked up sewing, crochet and beadwork again.  Keep your mind busy.  Go for a walk, I know its cold.  Read, puzzle books anything.   Aquafina has a new water out that has 6 grams of fiber to help you feel full.  Maybe adding something to your water may do that for you.   Liquid phase will pass quickly.  You are well on your way to a new you. Pam

Thanks everybody! Great Thoughts. I so appreciate it

Tim, That term "head hunger" drives me crazy.  Your body thinks you are starving.  Think about it...for as long as you have been alive, you've been feeding yourself.  Since you've been an adult, your body got used to being fed in a certain way.  Your brain, internal organs, eyes, hands, mouth, etc.  all got used to being fed a certain way, and feeling a certain way.  Then, one day, you took that all away.  Your body is screaming "LOOK YOU JERK, GET SOMETHING IN HERE!!"  Your new pouch may be so small that you're not really "hungry" but the rest of your body doesn't know that yet. It will happen.  How long are you on clear liquids?  As soon as you can, try drinking bulkier things, like thicker protein shakes.  When you have your sf popcicles, jello, etc, try to trick yourself by sitting down like it was a meal.  Fix yourself a big bowl of jello and sit there with silverware and act like it's meal time.  This will probably help, it did for me. I agree with the tylenol pm, but start out taking one tablet first, not the 2 that is recommended on the box.  Since I've had surgery (2 years ago) I only need one tab to knock myself out when needed.  If your doc says it's ok, turn on some music and walk around the house for 10-15 min. (SLOWLY!) at a time.  This might help you get some of that post op energy out.  Remember, your body is in survival mode, so it doesn't quite know what to do yet. By next week, I'll bet you're feeling a lot better!

There you are. I was just asking about you. I hope the hunger is gone. It is a cramp your new pouch is in spasm and it feels like hunger. It sucks. I don't have those feelings and haven't from the day of my cut but for those who have there is nothing you can do until it settles down. Try water or Crystal lite.... Your Jello routine will help too. Good luck. kp