hunger...pain....I don't know?

I am 6 days post op and everything is going really well except that I feel like I am starving.  Everyone I know who has had this done tells me they didn't feel hungry at all.  I think maybe it is acid, but I an not sure.  Especially at night, my stomach feels like it is trying to eat itself...I don't know how else to describe it.  It is very painful.  Until tonight, when it happened I got up and put food in my stomach...small amounts, but last night I refused to do it.  It caused me a lot of pain so I took a pain killer for the first time since I left the hospital.  The pain stopped but I still feel hungry.  I am on Pepcid 2x a day.  i have had bouts of severe GERD prior to my surgery where I felt like my throat and back of my mouth was on fire, but this is not the same feeling.  I am going for my post-op doctor appointment today, so I am trying to get an idea of what I am experiencing so I can make sure I explain this thoroughly.

I suspect it is stomach acid.  Some people try a variety of antacids before finding the one that works best for them. 

Good luck,

Carol

I agree, I remember feeling the same way right after surgery. In fact, I may have posted it. I felt hungry, would take a few sips of broth or a protein drink and be full...so it definitely wasn't hunger. Maybe you need something stronger than Pepcid. I have an RX for Omeprazole and that helps. 

Agree about the acid as the cause...

Pepcid is and H2 blocker.  PPI's have some questionable bad long term use effect.  PPI's might do better to control your acid at least for a little while.  Ask your doctor.  

Available proton pump inhibitors include:

omeprazole (Prilosec, Prilosec OTC),

lansoprazole (Prevacid, Prevacid 24-Hour),

dexlansoprazole (Dexilent, Kapidex)

rabeprazole (Aciphex),

pantoprazole (Protonix),

esomeprazole (Nexium), and.

Zegarid, a rapid release form of omeprazole.

Hope this helps.

Putting food in your stomach now is dangerous.  Try warm liquids, like tea or broth - i find cold sometimes makes me feel hungry -and warm is more satisfying.

still on liquid stage try Mylanta or Maalox or chew tums.... hope you get some relief

More than likely it is stomach acid and it feels exactly like what you think "starving" feels like.  If you chew up a couple Tums and it provides some temporary relief, then it's definitely acid.  Try that test and if I'm right, ask your doctor to get you on a PPI stat.

I'm a little surprised that with such severe GERD that your doctor recommended VSG as it can typically make that much, much worse - ??  here's hoping it works itself out soon!