A couple of questions for VSGers

1.  I had a lot of issues with this during weight loss mode.  It's because of the high protein and super-low carb diet I followed.  I used 2 tsp. of Benefiber in my protein shake each day and it worked like a charm.  Not so much of an issue with maintenance.  

2.  I had lots of severe acid issues post-op and it really felt like "hunger".  With a good PPI, that was handled.  True hunger though probably didn't really hit for me until 7-8 months out though.  

3.  I've had zero issues with this - and I've plenty of meals with higher fat in them. 

1) Yes especially the first few months after. I have it better now but I still will go several days with nothing happening and I will take some miralax. I found gorund flax seed in my shake early out was very helpful.

2) I had my surgery December of 2012 and still have no hunger. If I go a while without eating my stomach tells me but it is not hunger hard to explain.

3) No but I once stupidly drank a milkshake and man did that effect me.

You've already gotten a bunch of answers, but I thought I'd throw mine in too, for what they're worth.  Of course keep in mind that everyone's experience is different (I can see how obvious that is just by reading the other responses), but here's mine:

1)  I have had no issues with constipation related to VSG.  At one point, I started taking a multi-vitamin with iron, got constipated for a week, realized the timing coincided with the new vitamin and stopped taking it.  The constipation stopped, and I'm fine as long as I watch my iron supplements (incidentally, an issue with me before VSG).

2)  This is an interesting question b/c I wouldn't call it "lack of hunger".  I would say that hunger is different, not gone.  It doesn't feel the same as it did pre-surgery... not as urgent or gnawing.  I tend to eat something small every few hours, but if I don't, what I feel can be better described as a drop in sugar than hunger pains. I feel that irritation you feel when you're too hungry....but still, it's nowhere near the hunger experience I had pre-surgery.

3)  I have had no negative response that was specific to eating a meal high in fat.  I actually feel now (8 months out) that I can eat anything, just in much smaller amounts.  I choose to primarily eat healthy and protein rich foods, but when I have strayed to sugary, fried or fatty things, I haven't had a real physical problem.

Thanks, and good luck with your clients!

I am 16 months out- 8 months into maintenance:

1.  Constipation--early out YES.  Had to watch it carefully.  Not so much, now, but I am mindful and occasionally use MOM or Smooth Moves tea.  I imagine, like others, it is being resolved with the increased natural fiber in my diet.

2.  Hunger- I never let myself get forreal hungry- my eating always was compulsive.  That compulsive desire is gone (may it never return!)

3.  Throughout, I have eaten full fat- no restrictions.  I believe fat helps keep me satisfied.  Comes in the form of  cheese, cottage cheese, milk, avocado, yogurt, etc. 

1. No constipation..not even from day 1! Thank GOD!

2.  I'm one of the unfortunate Sleevers whose hunger never left :-(

3. Never had an issues with fat..only carbs (simple and complex)...I get that reactive hypoglycemia and it stinks!

It really is great to see so many responses, so glad you posted the question!,  i'm scheduled for vsg surgery tomorrow & it's interesting to see the responses to vsg surgery pre-op & post-op. Since I haven't had the surgery yet it would be a good idea to remind any prospective vsg clients any issues people may have had prior to surgery in regards to your questions & how it may or may not have changed afterwards., for me I've only had minor constipation issues but benefiber helped. My hunger was related to having inflammation, very mild gerd  & am taking a ppi rt now, so I'm not too hungry rt now, it might change after surgery. The nut hasn't told me to stay away from fat pre & post surgery, just to not have too much of the bad fat, so I can still look forward to eating full fat bacon, but not a lot & much much later of course!

3 years out vsg 1 year out ds

yes,ongoing constipation if I don't take something every night,even after the DS unless I eat a lot of carbs

at 4 years out,I still have no hunger and eat by the phone alarm.

no problems with fat

Thanks so much for the great feedback! (I wasn't online much the past few days so I just now got around to reading them all).

There are some types of information that means more coming from the people who live with the surgery than the surgeons who perform the surgery and then just do (limited) follow up.

Lora