lost

Well I just had RNY on monday aug 23rd.  Being almost a week out i am not doing so good with this liquid diet.  I feel hungry! I have been told by several people that they did not feel hungry for a while. I just feel really frustrated and wounder if something is wrong or is this normal and the others were the luck one.  I was wondering if some of you can tell me is this normal? Is there something i am missing.  I am doing my liquid but i am getting sick of the same thing so i am constance changing trying to find something else. Any have any suggestions? I can start my week 2 diet on monday.

 Just hang in there... what you are experiencing is "head hunger".  You are not hungry, (as the "hunger nerves" were probably cut during surgery),  but you think you are... perception is a powerful thing!

I thought I would lose my mind drinking all that sweet stuff the first two weeks... but you have got to hang in there.  This is temporary... very temporary... And remember you body needs this time to heal... and protein is it's best friend!

You will get to eat more in the coming weeks... but you relationship with food has got to change or not even surgery will be a permanent help for you.  I found great help with the therapist I had to see for my psych consult... If you are in the triangle area, I hope to see you at our next Raleigh Meet Up (patient-run support group)!

I do different things now instead of eat... and eating is only reserved for enjoyment and sustenance. It is no longer acceptable for me to use it as a pain duller!

good luck... 

Hi,

The reason that most people do not 'feel' hungry after RNY is not really related to nerves, but is because after surgery a hormone that lets us know we are hungry, called Grhelin is not as available because most grhelin is made in the 'fundus' portion of the stomach and that has been partioned off when the pouch is created during RNY surgery. Here is a link to information about Grhelin FYI.

It is true that we go through a good bit of 'head hunger' after surgery and that varies from person to person. It is also true that our perception of hunger varies a great deal from person to person. I personally has a reaction that sounds close to  your own and from what have have heard personally and from talking to medical professionals, it is the exception. If it helps at all, it does get better. I don't feel hungry all the time anymore. Once I was able to start eating soft solids, I did much better and hope that you will get similar relief. 

Regarding the sweet stuff during the liquid phase. I totally understand and my liquid phase went nearly 4 weeks and almost drove me crazy until I realized that I could 'infuse' some broths with flavors that were savor so that I could get away from the sweet stuff that abounded during the liquid phase. I would use herbs and spices that I would normally use to flavor soups and then strain them out. This way I would be able to have 'chicken soup', hot and sour soup, won ton soup, vegitable beef soup, french onion soup, etc... Remember, everything was strained so that it was all clear, but I had the flavors from the onions, garlic, carrots, etc... I fed the rest of the stuff to my family, but I really enjoyed the flavorful broths and it helped me keep my sanity until I could start my soft solids. 

Remember that as hard as this is right now, it's a relatively small period of time relative to the long term health you will reap from your journey. 

I also hope that you will follow Lisa's suggestion and join us at one of the support group meetings that I host. You can get information about upcoming meetings at www.meetup.com/nc-wls. 

Wishing you all the best,

 

 Thank you both for your responses. I know this is going to be hard. I go on full liquid tomorrow. I have been on clear liquid since surgery.  I start pureed on week 3.  I have read everything that the Dr has given me and have done so much research on the stages of diet and what i could eat. I went shopping before surgery. It like now all that info has left my brain and i am confused and lost.  I know i was ready. I wanted this.  i have a few question for you.
What did you eat during the liquid diet?
What kind of protein shakes do you drink? 

I too felt the same way as you.  On the liquid part of the diet I ate(drank) lite apple juice, chicken broth, lots of sugar free popsicles (they really hit the spot) and Oh Yeah protein shakes (the chocolate was the best but I am not a big fan of protein shakes).  The liquid phase was hell but I stuck it out and looked forward to the next phase and all those things that made you get the surgery (feeling better, healthy, buying regular sized clothes).  I had my surgery on 7/26/2010 so I am also pretty new to this but believe me it definately does get better.  Unjury also sells a bunch of different types of protein powders that you can mix with just about anything and some have no flavor.  I am actually to the point now where I prefer drinking water over everything else because I cannot take the sweet tastes anymore.  Good luck and hang in there, it will be well worth it.

It's very common to have the concerns you have now and it's okay. You'll do fine. It's a bit commitment and it's surgery, but I have to say that even with the rare events of complications, I have yet to meet someone who wasn't happy that they did it. You will be amazed at what your life will be like a year post op and it just gets better and better. That makes the 'difficulty' of the liquid diet phase absolutely worth it. It's almost like it's the admission fee ;-). When I was where you are in this journey, I made a list of all of the reasons I wanted to do this and a list of what would likely happen if I didn't. I'd look at that and it would help chase the 'Boogie Man' back where he belongs. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you can worry yourself to distraction... I'm very good at that..., but you can also get perspective and I used those lists to help  me do just that. 

Re: What did I eat during the liquid diet? First, let me say that we come from different programs and each program has their own protocol. That doesn't make one better than another, just different. At any rate, my program allowed any protein drink, Boost, Ensure, even Carnation Instant Breakfast (Sugar Free) and any clear liquids during the liquid phase of the diet. I wasn't allowed to 'eat' anything except popcycles and they were most appreciated becuase it allowed me to have a 'chewing' sensation. Like the poster before me, I don't really like any of the protein drinks. You can go to Vitamin Shoppe or GNC and you can get small sizes of some of their premixed items. I personally preferred vanilla so that I could flavor them myself. I also liked chocolate flavors. You might want to see about getting a flavored syrup or two such as Torani or DaVinci. Get something you might enjoy in a coffee so that you can use it later. Many people continue to use protein drinks for a long time post op. I couldn't get past that stuff fast enough. You probably won't know which way you will want to go until you are headed down that road. 

Wishing you all the best,

 I had Ensure High Protein... 2 oz, 4x a day. totally sucked.  But if you want a laugh... you could read my blogs!  I was a hot mess!!!!

I agree with Barbara this is the price of admission... but the ticket you are buying now is worth more than you could ever know!

Hope to see you at a meet-up soon!