I don't get it (liquid diet)

   OK, Wed. will be one week post op banding. I'm on the liquid diet for 3 weeks, one pre, two post op. The week before the surgery was a breeze on the liquid diet, I mean REALLY easy for me. 3 shakes,one cool drink, one fiber, water and I NEVER.... EVER felt hungry. I didn't miss food, desire food...not so much as a murmur of hunger pangs. I thought to myself "WOW, it cant be THIS easy"      Soooooo, now post op 1 week, SAME volume of stuff going in my mouth as last, same time to consume the stuff, and yet my stomach sounds like a jackhammer busting concrete all day! WHY the hunger pangs (BANGS is more the word)?? Yes I now fully understand  the "sipping" routine and how you get the instant heartburn and need to belch if you consume too fast (haven't thrown up, but they're sure right about the one ounce per 15 minute rule). Is it simply the fact the band is there? SHEESH. Now I go about my daily business, but unlike the first week where I never thought of food, NOW I do because my gut's screamin "Hey pal, somethings different, and I'm not shutting up aboout it". WHY is my stomach so angry?  I'm not trying to be a whiny-a**, and no I am NOT going to fail this journey....EVER! But I see the next week on the liquid diet will be even LESS stuff going in me. I'd be OK with everthing....if it wasn't for my stomach REMINDING me I'm hungry. (and yes I am keeping myself busy). What gives??????????????????????????????  -Andy

Ok Andy......just take my post with a grain of salt and remember we're all different.  I'm going to tell you my experience.  Also, I had RNY so I could be completely off with regards to the band. First off, you can do a week liquid and your body won't really go into shock.  By the second week, add the surgery, and  your head and body is screaming!  Something isn't right!  The way we've done things for years is changing and we don't like it!!!!  It's a mental thing, kind of like survival mode.  Your body is going through withdrawl of so many things....just the habit of eating regular food, that relaxing feeling of knowing you're going to eat, etc.  By week two your body is starting to think you're serious about this new way of doing things and it's rebelling. About the hunger pangs....this is the part I hope you won't be upset with, because I don't know you so it may just be what happened to me.  Before surgery, I did not let myself get hungry.  My stomach would growl, but I immediately ate.  I ate by the clock, not by listening to my body and feeding it when I was hungry.  I constantly had something in my stomach.  Feeling full was my normal baseline.  So after surgery, I tried to operate the same way.  As soon as my stomach felt empty, my brain was telling me that feeling wasn't good, I needed more stuff down there!  Remember the liquids are just going to pass right through, so if you were like me, there isn't that ball of stuff sitting in there waiting to be digested.  You ARE hungry.  Your stomach IS empty.  You have to give your brain time to adjust.   Does it keep grumbling if you are constantly drinking?  If not, then make sure you are drinking more substantial things, like protein shakes with low calories and no sugar.  If you can have sf pudding, then do that, with some protein powder mixed in.  Trick your brain into thinking it's meal time.  Sit down with some dishes and silverware and give your body the meal it thinks it wants. From what my NUT says, it's normal for "skinny" people to feel slightly hungry throughout the day.  You may just have to get used to this new feeling and know that it's normal.  Wait about two weeks for your body to get out of survival mode and see if it doesn't get a lot better.

Hi Andy, I had the same surgery with the same surgean on April 2, 2008.  Let me add that I just got my first fill yesterday and am so happy to have a little feel of restriction back, I was in bandster hell, able to eat fast and anything I wanted.  It is all good choices and self control after the swelling from surgery goes down.  So hang in there. As for the liquid diet I was able to progress to full liquids on day 8 postop and mushies a week after that.  I had the same hunger pangs you are talking about but once I added more protien and cream soups, yogurt and cottage cheese, I was feeling more satisfied.  I have to re read the binder of info they gave me preop to refresh to make sure I am not missing anything, and it helps to re read it.  I hope this helps if I can help please let me know.  Oh I also would blend crystal lite with ice and water and have a lemon slushie, that satisfied some old habits for me too.  Good luck and hope this helps.

Hi Brenda and Patti, thanks for taking time to respond. Glad to know I'm not just an oddball on this feeling of hunger. I called Hurley yesterday and was told I can now add the Quaker weight control oatmeal along with cottage cheese and cream soups (YES!!) So last night I bought me some cream of potato soup and put extra pepper on it and my taste buds danced until this morningRemember that cartoon dog that ate a treat and ended up tasting so good he shot up in the air and floated back to the ground in ecstasy?I ate it about 6 PM and with the water drinking, didn't feel hungry the rest of the night. I can't wait to tatse things like onion and garlic again. LOL We'll see how the fullness is for me today. Have a nice day! Andy

Hi Andy, Glad that you're feeling better! I remember when I had my first bite of refried beans with a little salsa and cheese.  I was just like the cartoon dog! The Quaker low sugar oatmeal is good too.  The Weight Control is a larger portion to keep you full longer, and you might not be able to finish all of it.  If you find you're wasting some of it just make 1/2 a package or use the low sugar, which is a smaller portion.  Also, the low sugar comes in fruit and cream flavors, which I liked better than the cinnamon and bananna Weight Control. Every day will get better...just you wait!