I am 5 days out since gastric b. and I am hungry what do I do?

Hi I am 5 days out of surgery and I am hungry.  I would really like to start eating some mashed potatoes or cream of ck soup (w/o the chunks).  Did this happen to anyone?  What did you do?  I am getting all my fluids and reg. sized vitamins down.

Congratulations! I am 4 weeks out and I am experiencing the same thing. I haven't really gotten any answers. I have just been told i must not me getting enough fluids/protein in (which is true. ) I am constantly salivating and looking around me wanting to grab the unhealthiest treat. I am desperately trying to get more fluids/protein in. If you get a better answer please let me know as well. I wanted to let you know you were not alone!

Are you sure you're really hungry or are your insides just making noises? My Dr started me on full liquids in the hospital on day 4. Every surgeons program is different. In the full liquid stage you can have creamed soups and yogurt and protein shakes to hopefully be able to get more protein in to speed up the healing process and make you feel more full. Hang in there

I am 10 days out of surgery, I actually started cream soups on day 6 post op because I felt dizzy and light headed. I called my Dr and he told me I could start with cream soups as long as they were strained.  I am so glad i was able to move on to cream soups because just the smell of any type of broth was starting to make me sick. I hope I can handle a few more days of the soups.  One thing that has been affecting me big time has been the mental hunger especially with my wife being pregnant  SHE NEEDS to eat but hates doing it in front of me and I hate for her not eat because of me  so I always try to feed her lol .


Geovanny
BMI 44
surgery 2/26/2009
weight before surgery 295lbs
current weight as of 3/08/2009 270lbs

 I had surgery on the 9th and I know what you mean. I had to "hide" foods out of sight so I wasn't tempted to pick, regardless of hunger. Dinner time is the toughest, my family does a parade of food, with everyone eating at different times right under my nose. I started getting panicky the other night, and then I teared up when I realized: oh, it's dinner time. 

I would suggest eating every 2-3 hours NOT mashed potatoes---carbs=sugar=useless calories for us. Try sugar free yogurt (Dannon Light Lemon is good), sugar free pudding, glucose control boost, a plain old 8 oz of 1% or skim milk, or for something savory, go for the 99% fat free cream of ___ soup. I've been eating Pacific Natural Foods organic roasted red pepper and tomato soup or butternut squash soup--both are low in sugars and carbs, and with a 1/2 cup with a tsp. of lowfat sour cream rocks my world. 

For cravings, which I would not consider physical hunger, try diaphragmatic, or belly  breathing for 1 minute, counting each breath until you get to ten as many times as you need to. It's like riding a wave. We've got to start de-programming ourselves from panic eating. 

If we stick to the program, it will work. Weight loss is so much more than physical. 

WE CAN DO IT!!!

(sorry for such a long post, but this absorbs about 99% of my brain power right now.)

Don't do potatoes...there is VERY little nutritional value in them.  Try yogurt...but for yogurt, the Dannon light has only 5 grams of protein, but the Fage or Chobani (Greek yogurt sold right near the others) has 12 or 14 grams of protein.  It is also thicker so it will appease your appetite quickly.  I am 6 weeks out and still eat it regularly.

 Thanks AmySue, I'll try those yogurts!

Hi All,

I had my surgery on March 12th and I agree...... I WANT TO EAT!!!!!!.... I am beginning to think  its "BRAIN HUNGER" and not real hunger........ My stomach is not growling  so I beleive it is a habit we are use to.......I'm trying to drink more protein....... Protein is suppose to make you feel fuller......

We have fixed our stomachs......now we have to fix our brains!!!!!!

 

Good luck everyone!!!!!!

 Yes!  I just finished my 3rd week out.  I am beginning to know the difference of brain hunger and the real one.

Instant mashed potatos were on my late full liquid-early puree list.  I made them with skim milk and added some ricotta cheese which bumped up the protein content and really improved the taste.  At 5 days post-op I was still required to crush all my pills or take them in liquid form.