One Weel Post Op and Hungry!!!

I didn't expect to want food for a long time after surgery.  But I'm finding myself wanting food.  I'm drinking my protein shakes to make sure I get my protein in each day, but I'm also eating some soft food inbetween.  Has anyone else had this problem?  I'm afraid I'm stretching my pouch.  What's wrong with me that I would go through all this pain and still put food in my mouth knowing it's not good for me?

B

Hi hon, I didn't find myself hungry, I would forget to eat, and Ash, Brian or Ma would even call and ask if I got all of my protein in and ate my food. I would have to go over the list of what I had with her. HEHE, it was all good. Try some SF popcycles, they have the tropical kind I really love, they actually became a close friend, before the surgery and still today we are tight.


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        Barb

I think this is a pretty normal response to the surgery, especially just one week out.  Hang in there, you will be fine and you will do fine.  Right now, you are dealing with the "head demons".  Tell them to back down and go away that you know what you are doing and need no help from them. (LOL).  Let us know if you need anything or PM one of us if you need further encouragement.  Take care.

I was so hungry the first couple of weeks that I think I could have eaten anything but I hung in there and stuck to my prescribed diet! I think I came out of surgery hungry! Some people just do!
Hang in there! It will get better.

Janie

Back to basics!  Remember basic step #1..."Take a deep breath!!!!!!"

Everything will be fine.  You are experiencing the same thing a lot of us did!  B you are learning a whole new way of life, and it will not happen over night.  Right now your stomach nerves are still numb from the surgery, what you are feeling is "head hunger".  This takes a while to get use to.  When I was feeling these thoughts and feelings, I would grab my water and sip.  So, take a deep breath and breathe!

Hang in there girl!

B,
Good Morning!  I am so sorry you are having this problem!  Believe me, I understand!  But, it is not real hunger, like Scott said.  It is "head hunger"! A lot of go through it.  We are so used to eating, that our minds make us think we are hungry when we aren't.  If you will pay REAL close attention, you might notice that you may have briefly thought about a  certain food and then in a few minutes you were hungry.  That's head hunger!  My best friend who had this surgery before me gave me some good advice...don'****ch the Food Network!  I will add to that-mute and turn away from food or restaurant ads as well!  Get you mind onto something else!  Read, walk, talk on the phone, etc.  also be sure to get in all your water and protein.  This is the time for me that I started riding my stationary bike and listening to loud praise music.  It really helped!  You will get through this.  It is seriously doubtful that you have stretched your pouch!

Marilyn

Okay, another question.  I'm able to take regular drinks and don't have to sip, sip, sip.  Is this a bad thing for me to be doing?

Won't you guys be glad when I get a little further down the road and don't ask so many questions???!!!

B

B,
I have never been a sipper myself.  I had talked with Dr. McDowell and Laura about this early on because I felt I was able to take in much more fluids at one time than I should have been.  They both told me that it is different for everyone and that your body will let you know when you've had too much at once - and believe me, it will.  What is a sip for one might not be a sip for another.  Yes, this is all new and you will soon get the hang of it and be well on the road to your new life.  And no, we love to see the questions because what you ask might be the very thing someone wants to ask but won't and it helps everyone on the board.

Keep up the good work and hang in there, it will get better.  Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention.  You spoke about starting to eat soft foods - that is a good thing.  I know every surgeon/program is different.  And although it hasn't been that long since I've had my surgery (January 08), Dr. McDowell might have changed things since then, but, he told me at my 2 week check up that he wanted me to be sure I was getting the major portion of my protein from food.  Now, let me tell you in the very beginning that is quite hard, as a matter of fact it is darn near impossible, but, you do need to make sure you are "eating" at least 2 meals a day.  Now a meal for you at this stage might only consist of 2-3 bites of something, but that is ok.  Try to do that at least 2 times a day and more if you can tolerate it.  Now having said that, make sure you are still supplementing with your protein shakes because that will help get your required fluids in as well as getting you closer to your protein goal for the day.

 Hi there,
I'm new to your site and I wanted to respond to your concerns.  I had gastric bypass 6 years ago and have maintained a weight loss of 135 pounds.  It took me a long time to learn the difference between true physical hunger, and the hunger that begins in my mind.  I still struggle with this, however, it is a different kind of struggle.

With gastric bypass a hormone is released to the brain that literally tells your brain that you just aren't hungry.  Unfortunately, this only lasts for about 12 to 18 months.  They call this time the "honeymoon period".  After that, the hunger returns and the cravings for certain foods also may return.  After surgery you have this window of opportunity to change your personal relationship with food.  Sometimes, we may go through a moarning period, and may even become depressed, because, for some of us, we are saying good-bye to a very close friend.

One of the hardest things I had to do was to learn to listen to my body, and not my head, and not give into my emotions. This takes time, but you will get there. I must admit however, that sometimes under stressful conditions, I give into my emotions and eat things I know that I shouldn't. Sometimes the emotions over power the ability to " just say no". But the thing that is different this time, after weight loss surgery, is that I have a wonderful tool that allows me to get back on track, and not beat myself up for falling off the wagon.

So I guess what I am trying to say to you, is, that the first week after surgery can be challangeing.  You may go through a variety of emotions and feelings without even knowing exactly what is happening.  So what you may think is hunger, may be some other feeling.  Sometimes when we think we are hungry, we are really thirsty.  It is very easy to become dehydrated shortly after this surgery.  We know we have to get in our protein, and with such a small pouch, we don't get in enough water. So before you eat in between your protein meals, try to drink more water. 30-45 minutes after your meals, start sipping on water.  See if that helps.

Another suggestion, and then I will sign off. The next time you feel you are hungry, instead of grabbing something to eat, grab your journal and pen, and write down what you may be feeling at that time.  One of two things will happen.  You will either realize that you are truly hungry,  and if you are, then you need to eat, however, if the desire to eat goes away while writing, then you may be dealing with emotional hunger.

This surgery is a wonderful tool, and will change your life for ever.  It will give you your life back, and will take you on a wonderful ride.

I'm sorry to run on so long,but I have been where you are now.  You will be o.k. and you will learn to really listen to what your body is saying to your brain, and not the other way around.

Regards,

R.S.


 

Hi, RS.  I just wanted to say very well written...  we need a book of answers for these kinds of problems, and under "hunger" I would definitely expect to read your reply. Wonderful explanation! I am also glad to hear success stories of those who had surgery 5,6,7 years out who have not regained. It seems that is all people want to focus on (non wls folk, that is).  It is very encouraging!