Had my surgery Friday but sooo hungry and not sure why??

This might be a rather long post but here I go!

Friday was my surgery! When I was finally "with it", I was so darn happy! I was not hungry just like everyone said I wouldn't be! I thought it was just great!!! LOL.

Went through Friday, couldn't care a less about food..ok so mind you most of Friday I was outta of it! LOL. Then Saturday comes along and they try and feed me. Still couldn't care a less about food. Did eat some..wasn't sure how much I should/could eat..was and am terrified of the "dumping" situation and just don't wanna go there ever, lol. Then just before dinner on Saturday I was really hungry. I sat there thinking..this can't be right! Then I had all these crazy thoughts..hmmmm..my pouch isn't working, lol...it leaks..my surgeon made it BIG on me because I am a BIG girl, LOL...(I know...like I said..crazy thoughts, lol)!!! The hunger hasn't really left me since. I chatted with a gal I know for a good while yesterday as she is 7 months post-op and she feels I am doing fine and thinks this hunger is "head hunger"...BUT...I get swings of nausea and I don't believe it's "head hunger" because I can feel the hunger in my throat..does that make sense? I am not ruling out the possibility of this "head hunger" entirely though.

I thought I was so prepared for this. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, I thought I had done so much research and talked to so many people but I just wasn't expecting to feel so lost, lol.

I know I am a "big girl" but I think we all should be eating the same amount as our pouches should be the same and therefore we should be eating the same..am I correct in thinking this way?

Before Surgery my surgeon  had a good talk to me. We had some time before everything was set up and he is so so gracious with his time..truly the guy is! He told me I should really concentrate on protien...soft fish as such...I had it stuck in my head that I was to be on liquids for the next few weeks..well..the list in stage 1 group of foods as posted on his website. I had it printed off and bought foods around that group list. my surgeon  told me before surgery no eating/drinking 1 hour of eachother. I was thinking..ya..I can handle that!

So I had another opportunity after I was released from hospital to find out from my surgeon  (was complaining how hungry I was and not sure why, lol) he said to eat something small every hour! I can understand this..BUT at the same time, I was thinking..how do I go back and forth from liquids to actual food and still be eating something small every hour..still figuring it all out.

I guess I am just shocked I feel hungry. Everyone else seems to not have the hunger at all!!! Why me? LOL..I am so determined to succeed at this and not letting my body have its way..forget that idea..didn't go through all of this to give in and just eat..no way!

So my question is..is my body just reacting? Does it think it should be fed? Why am I getting this constant hunger pains? Another thought here is..we have heard that thirst can give us a sign of hunger..is my body just staying its dehydrated?

Here was my day on Sunday..I feel I ate enough..tried to really focus on what my surgeon  told me and what was in the list of foods for stage 1.

Morning

1/2 an egg scrammbled

1 hr later switched to liquids and had a full cup of ice chips

1 hr later, 1/2 fat free vanilla pudding cup

1 hr later...1 full cup of ice chips
sugar free popscile

1 hr later
1/4 cup of cottage cheese

1 hr later
1/4 cup of munched up soft fish (idea from dr. Amson)

1hr later, more ice chips
popsicle (yes sugar free, lol)

1hr later...another 1/4 cup of cottage cheese

1 hr later..yes..another popscile (it tends to take the nausea away for some reason)

Went to sleep, felt fine..woke up at 4am with hunger and nausea and haven't gone back to sleep but did get another popscile because again..took away the nausea and now sipping very slowly on water!

Sitting here thinking..what the heck did I do to myself??? LOL..I was told a very normal thing to think..and trust me I have no regrets but I keep thinking..what is going on? Why am I hungry? I am afraid to eat too much because I am afraid of over filling my pouch and I am more than determined to be successful at this. I soo did not do all this for nothing and I am not going to be in that 20% category my surgeon  told me that were not successful. He said 80% are! I am going to be in that 80% even if it kills me :)

So I am just sitting here wondering why I have this hunger. I was not prepared for this. I thought it would be ME reminding myself I need to eat. What could be going on? Any suggestions?

Sorry for the very long winded post. I am a bit frustrated! I am eating enough right?

Thanks everyone :)

It may be head hunger, at least partially, and it may be real hunger. Your body just had surgery and might be telling you it wants food to heal. Its in a panic, where'd the food go?

I know for the first few weeks I tended to have head hunger more than real hunger. Make sure you drink enough too, sometimes you think its hunger when your body is really intensely thirsty. Work on drinking as much as possible and only eat on your surgeon's schedule. You'll be fine.

I know a lot of times, especially in the beginning, I confused thirst with hunger.  I would be inclined to think it's head hunger and thirst. 

Thanks so much! I really do believe it has to be a combination of thirst and head hunger!!! I am only giving it what its allowed and no more, hehe. Other than this fever and all those stitches across my belly (feels so tight still) I think I can conquer this! Last night I was just praying God would take me now, LOL..hehe!

Thanks again for your thoughts on this! Soooo much appreciated :)

Where in Canada are you from???
I am going Nov 5 and am now really worried.  I eat a lot and was hoping that this would cure that feeling....
So nervous now...  what if I can't do this... will I be able to cope - stomach rumbling again...
anxious, ... have anxieity problems already and I still have 44 days to go...
help...
Sheri

I am out here in BC!

Oh don't be worried at all. My body is still healing and adjusting to everything! I am less hungry today than I was yesterday...I am feeding it more often in little amounts so I think it is calming down and realizing I am not trying to starve it. I am still hungry but not as and can only believe it will get better :)

I was very nervous going into this. Did not take this lightly at all! You will be able to cope..it just takes time getting to know your new tool (pouch) and how it works and eating and drinking and how to fit everything into your day! It is getting easier in finding my first week foods as such! Hard but managable!

Hang in there Sheri :)

Thanks for the pep talk - I still have a few tests to do - pulminary, stress, blood work but I think most are past.  My GP has been very supportive and filled out reams of papers.
Glad that things are better today.  Hopefully each day will improve.
God bless and good luck that you have no complications (other than our foe hunger).
Sheri             

43 days to go