Always hungry

You are the only ones I can tell about this, I mean I could go on other forums, but I feel that I belong here more than other places.

I am SOOOOO scared.

For the last 2 days, I am hungry.  Really hungry.  My stomach is growling and if I don't eat, I feel weak.

But I don't WANT to be hungry, I don't want to increase my food, EVER.  I like the amount that I am having now, my head likes it, it makes me feel good, in control.  I know I have to eat, but it is only one month after surgery, I thought I would stay like this longer, but no, I'm hungry :(((((((((((

I also feel I am not normal.  I mean, I just had surgery, I shouldn't be hungry.  But I am.

I keep my calorie intakes under 600 (just happens like that, I don't count calories at all), proteins to aroung 50-60 g, I wasn't taking any fat so I introduced it lately, a bit of carbs too, but only the good ones!

I feel like that hunger controls me now, when in the month that just past, I was feeling in control of it.  Does that make sense?

Anyway, not much I can do about it, I will have to increase my food intake  but I DON'T WANT TO.

Sorry for the so negative post!  I needed to get it out!

Karine.

 Are you taking a PPI for acid? I think 4-6 weeks was when I started feeling "hungry" and then a few weeks later my stomach was just burning. Acid is usually not obvious so if you aren't taking something like Prilosec, ask your doc and get started. You can also take something like Zantac or Pepcid or tums to see if you get more immediate relief. I usually always take an antacid when I'm hungry and it solves the problem. 

Increasing your food won't help with the hunger if it is acid. What my doc had me doing for months was sipping protein shakes all day (literally a sip every 5 minutes or so) to keep my stomach from being empty for too long. It did help even though it was obnoxious. 

Its a hard adjustment right now. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more. 

Thanks for your answer!

Every morning, at 6 am, I take a stomach pill for acidity, esomeprazole (nexium)

I have no pain, just hunger, stomach growling, and if I don't eat, I feel light headed, weak, etc...  Yesterday, I ate more, and was feeling great.

Could this still be acid?

Here is what I had yesterday (I usually have way less than that), can you tell me what you think?  Considering I am 1 month post op.  I am really scared to over eat.

6am stomach pill + 1 cup water

7:30 am Syntrax twisted cherry

8:30 am 2 eggs white cooked in 1 tsp virgin olive oil

Lunch 2% cottage cheese 1/2 cup

Nap from 1-3 pm

4 pm I was starving so had (never ate that much in one serving since surgery, but it took an hour to eat it, but god was I feeling good after!): 

1tbsp philadelphia cream cheese light
rye and oat bran crackers
1/8 cup soya nuts
quarter of a peach

dinner:  2 onces scallops + 1 small piece brocoli+75g hollywood gelato

Total:

calories:  540
carb:  43
fat:  13
proteins:  64

Water 8 cups

As always, I would talk with my NUT or surgeon.

However, IMO, I would make your protein a little more dense (assuming you've been released for regular diet) and plan on an afternoon snack

For breakfast---try egg and add some turkey sausage crumbles
AM snack--maybe your cottage cheese
Lunch---deli meat wrapped with a slice of cheese; your soya nuts
Afternoon snack--yogurt; beef jerky; tuna, etc
Dinner---try some chicken or beef if you can have it (love scallops but I'm trying to dense up your protein)
PM snack--yogurt, beef jerky, etc

I wouldn't worry about taking your cals up a little. Try another 150 per day and see if that helps. I like several small feedings. I don't get hungry but I feel my energy start to drop if I skip a snack or meal. You can always add in a portion of a shake to sip on all day.

Just my opinion as long as it fits in with your plan.

You've done really well so far. You don't want hunger to push you off plan. More and denser protein and increased fluids always help me.

I still have acid problems even though im on max dose of prilosec....F*n sucks. When it's really bad, I feel like im starving (keeping food in my stomach helps with the hunger sensations because it reduces the acid but I know its acid cause 20 min later im magically hungry again) so I eat little amounts all day...I eat 5-6 times a day.


I have to agree with Elaine - I would ditch the crackers and the fruit for now - you really want to focus on protein. I didn't start introducing those things until 7-8 mo out, and I wish i had never done that then lol. Dense protein and more fluids definitely helps me (i drink about 120 oz of water a day just to keep something in my stomach and prevent acid from building up).

Thanks for your answer and for trying to help me.

I read your answer yesterday, but needed to think (sorry I am like that!!!  Need to think before taking a decision therefore answering).  I didn't like your answer at first, and I wondered why.  So I had to think.  Turns out I don't want to lose my crackers hahaha! 

I also looked at my protein, and the number of times I eat.  I am trying really hard to eat more often, but it takes me so long to eat what I have to eat, then you have to calculate 45minutes after meal and 15 minutes before for water, than calculate all vitamines and times, etc... so I am not yet good at planning all this.  Well I am good at planning it, but not at following my plan! 

I will make a more concious effort into following my plan.  I can do it, and I will focus more on proteins, but when I eat only proteins, I get constipated.  This is why I added the crackers (the ones I eat have low carbs high fiber of both types) and fruits.  So I will keep those, but put more proteins on the crackers, for exemple.

As per your meat suggestion, I cannot go this route, as I have a big tendancy to have water retention, so avoiding salty products is a must.  I take 2-5 pounds in a day when I eat too salty.  The gain itself is nothing, but my legs hurt when it happens.  But I will eat more tuna, eggs, chicken, veal, etc... but self cooked.

Thanks again for your input!  Really appreciated!

You can always ask the doctor to change your PPI and see if that does anything for you.

Outside of that, try starting out your day w/food first and then your liquids. Try to use protein shakes for your liquids and unflavored protein to other liquids when you are tired of the protein shakes. If nothing else, you would be getting at least the minimum 80 grams of protein required a day. I think, however, it would help curb your hunger.

Don't fret too much; as long as you eat healthy (low carb, low fat, low cal and high protein), eating more shouldn't be a problem (as long as you are staying within your nutritionist's/doctor's regimen). You can also use those hunger moments between meals to slip in some low carb veggies when your doctor gives you clearance to do so.

You can also try plain greek yogurt (you can sweeten it w/Truvia, Splenda, etc and extract) which will give you added protein and may help fill you. Jus****ch out for those that are flavored, have added fruit and the like because they are high in carbs.

Best of luck to you!

I had a lot of issues with my stomach growling for a few months post opt and I was on a PPI, but eventually it settled down. Also had a lot of head hunger during that time as well.  Could it be head hunger going on?  Hang in there it gets better.

I don't know, this is what I am afraid of.

But at least, when I eat more, I do not eat junk, I add for exemple proteins or nuts or good carbs.

We'll see I guess!

 You might want to pick up Mindful Eating by Jan Chosen Bays. It might help you do the work to differentiate the different kinds of hunger sensation in your body. 

You might want to up your protein intake a little. I don't know what your team recommends, but 60 is absolutely minimum per day, and some say the SMO folks should be hitting 100+.

I remember that stage as a transition stage. I was just moving into the 800 cal range. Try to be compassionate with yourself, take it slow and mindful, lead with dense protein. Part of the process is finding peace with the way you live, and excessive worry / fear is generally a sign you haven't found that balance yet. 

Keep working on it. You're doing great, hang on.