Hungry One Week Post Op..Is it just me??

I had gastric bypass last Tuesday.  Friday I started having cravings.  I thought it might have been just because everyone around me was still eating normally and I was just smelling it.  But by Sunday, I realized that I was REALLY hungry.  I have been getting my protein shakes and water in...and when I do drink more water it does help with the hunger, but I am worried that I will not be able to last doing the 3 week liquid diet my doctor put me on.

Is it just a mind thing?  Or are there others who have also been really hungry after surgery.  I keep thinking my surgeon didn't make my stomach small enough! lol.  I have been trying to keep myself busy and not think of food, but it has been a struggle.

I would appreciate any tips or info from anyone.

Thanks,
April

My bet is that it's head hunger.  I went through the same thing - drink water when you feel like this and wait 10 min - it should go away.

If it's still just killing you - try jello or SF pudding, if that's allowed on your liquid phase right now.  Chances are you are just mentally used to a routine of eating and now that the routine is gone - your mind wants to get you back on track.

It should pass and you should adjust in another couple of weeks - it's a major switch and it just takes time.  Good luck to you! 

People said just because your stomach get smaller, doesn't mean your brain changes your attitudes about food.  I realize that it is most likely "head hunger" and it just makes me sad that I have such a problem with food.  Thank you for the advice.  :)

No, your brain doesn't change.  I will further bust your bubble and tell you that even after you do adjust- you will still slip up.  I'll be 4 years out next month and STILL fix the occasional full plate of food like a MORON, knowing FULL well that I can't eat all that. 

It's a journey - but the GREAT thing is that you NOTICED the issue and are addressing it - THAT'S how you win the battles - stay alert and be ready to change.  

Yep, just head hunger. Keep in mind that your nerve endings are still healing...you won't be able to feel much of anything in your stomach for a while. PLEASE stick to the liquids per your doc order...you need to heal everything up right so it can do it's thang for ya down the road. Much of this battle is mental...put ya gear on!!! 

Drink you protein and stick to you liquids. Since this is a mind thing then tell your brain, that you are drinking whatever you are craving. Because I went throught this same thing. Trust me after you have worked so hard to get this surgery trust me you will adjust. It gets easier especially when you start to see the weight fall off.

Brenda

That head hunger is a beast!!!! Will truly make you think you are starving. That's how I knew I had problem with food. I mean there were days when I was about in tears, cause I WANTED TO EAT. But with that being said ......thank the Lord it gets better.  Stay strong and it will pay off 10 fold.

My liquid stage was really short but even pre op, I found spacing the protein more closely helped with physical hunger.  Half a shake, 12g prot every two hours rather than a 24g meal every four hour.  As for the head hunger, ditto to Ms. Mack.  She already said it all. 

I felt very hungry the second day after surgery.  I don't know what your surgeon
allows, by all means follow that.  I was on soft food like runny cream potatoes,
runny oatmeal, cream of wheat .... etc.

My favorite was to strain ALL the chicken and noodles from chicken noodle soup
and pour the broth over the potatoes but I was still hungry.  I made sure to
measure my food so I wouldn't eat too much.  Head hunger?  It ended
when I was allowed to eat blended tuna salad at 2 weeks.
One thing for sure it will pass and soon this will just be a faint memory. 

Congratulations on your wls journey!

Thank you all for your words of wisdom!  It is truly mental and I told myself today, it has to stop!  Carrying my big glass of water around with me everywhere I go.  This IS only temporary.... I know I can do it!

What would I do without my OH family?!  So thankful for this website.