STARVING AFTER GASTRIC SLEEVE SURGERY!

I just had gastric sleeve on 10/22 (revision from gastric band). I expected to feel lousy the first week or so, but I have been fortunate in that I have no nausea and very little pain. However, I though that the VSG would reduce the production of ghrelin when that portion of my stomach was removed, but I still feel hungry. I am sorry to say that I woke up in the recovery room feeling hungry! Three days into clear liquid diet (I start full liquids tomorrow) and I am starving. I am so disappointed; I thought the whole point of bariatric surgery was that you don' feel like eating the way you once did. I feel the same way as before the surgery, except that now I can't just go and eat something to relieve the hunger pangs. Oddly I didn't feel hunger after gastric band. Realistically, I thought the hunger might come back after some months, but the same day as surgery???

I can't recall hearing of anyone having this issue. There are many cases of mind hunger. You really should speak to your surgical team about this, sounds like something isn't right.

It happens frequently.

Chances are what you're feeling is excess acid, not hunger. All of the nerves in your stomach have been cut, and you aren't feeling anything right now. Acid and head hunger are the culprits at this point.

If you aren't taking a PPI for acid, you need to get one. If you are, you may need your dosage increased. A LOT of people have the same issue you are having, but it is definitely not real hunger. Hang in there and give it some time.

Oh, also, yes, the ghrelin is reduced significantly by the stomach being removed. However, you body produces ghrelin in other places, so it isn't completely gone.

I know that ghrelin is produced in small amounts in the intestines, pancreas and the brain, but didn't expect to have such extreme feelings of hunger right after surgery. My doctor prescribed Omeprazole which I am taking daily. Still, this doesn't feel like acid. Maybe it is head hunger. I have dieted for so many years, I may not even know what it feels like to be really hungry.

It doesn't feel like acid...nothing feels like it used to, everything has changed for you now. The majority of people who say they "feel hunger" in the first few weeks after surgery are actually feeling acid activity in their stomach. Forget what you used to know, it's a whole new world! You may need your Omeprazole increased if it continues. Head hunger is a major factor, but if you're actually sensing something in your tummy it's probably acid.

Physical hunger is far more complicated than just ghrelin. Other hormones besides ghrelin are responsible for hunger, and as Cathy said, ghrelin is still being produced.

I really wish people would stop spreading the "ghrelin is gone and I won't ever be hungry again" myth. It really is just total nonsense, and leads to disappointment for many.

As Cathy said, this is most likely acid, considering it hit immediately after surgery and is unrelenting. It's super common to need to change doses or types of PPI until you find a combo that works.

Hang in there. It gets much, much better.

At this point "hunger" is most often due to acid or just due to the fact that your nerves were severed and your stomach is lying to you. Make sure you're getting all of your liquids in, if you're not taking a PPI ask about taking one or a stronger one if you are taking one.

are you getting 64+ ounces of sf liquid every day? Dehydration

can mimic hunger.

I feel the same way! I've called the office twice now about it. It's really quite annoying. My brain isn't saying I'm hungry, but my stomach is quenching and gurgling like it's hungry... all-the-time. I added protein shakes and yogurt, and that helped. But, I expressed this while still in the hospital! I too, was under the impression that hunger pangs would be no longer I am taking Prilosec as prescribed, along with bentyl for spasms, and Zolfram for nausea