Does hunger pain ever come back?

I am NOT complaining, I am hoping that hunger pain NEVER EVER comes back. I am 16 months out, and have yet to experience hunger. As a matter of fact, I have to watch the clock often to know when it's time to eat because if I don't, I will forget to eat and my blood sugar drops. So I ran into this woman who said her hunger didn't come bac****il around 2 years out. Has anyone else experienced their hunger not coming back yet? Or if it did, was it late postop for you? I just would like to know if I am to eventually to expect it to return one day. Thanks Donna

Hi Donna. My "hunger" feeling did come back at about 1.5yrs post op. I eat very much on a schedule so that I don't feel that anymore b/c that is when I find that I reach for the wrong things b/c I feel like I'm starving. I've talked to others several years out that don't really have hunger pains~I guess everyone is different! Hunger pains or not, I've found that eating on a consistent schedule has helped me in a successful maintenance program as well. Good Luck! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

I am with Tracy, it can and does come back for some of us. I too, have to eat on a schedule and that seems to keep hunger at bay. That being said, the "hunger" I experience now is nothing like my pre-surgery hunger. Before surgery I could eat non stop all day and still not be full, now, I get hungry, I eat, I feel better. Traci 303/131

I'm 18 months out and I get hungry when it's time for a meal. But then I eat and am satisfied rather quickly. when I get "hungry" between meals, that is usually my body telling me that I am not drinking enough. Thirst often mimicks hunger. After I drink something, I'm good for a while. Good luck! Hugs, Tracy 303/158/135 P.S. looks like all the "Tracys" are chiming in on this one!

You guys are lucky! Mine came back at about 5 months out - not as strong as pre-op, of course, but still there. I would have to describe it as a "smaller" version of hunger pangs, but hunger pangs nonetheless! And you know, I kind-of knew that this would happen to me. Pre-op I had a huge and ravenous appetite, and the original "cast-iron" stomach, so I just felt that I would be one of those ones who would return to "normal" and I was right, unfortunately. But as with all things pertaining to WLS, it's very individual, and even though I'm glad we all talk about our experiences, you're going to get as many differing scenarios as you get responses, most likely. I hope that your hunger never comes back, too! It was joyous for that brief time mine was gone! Best wishes, Carlita

Donna, I've experienced some hunger but it isn't like hunger pangs pre-op. Now I get more of an empty feeling that burns or get shakey and I know it's time to eat. I also try to stay on schedule with eating to avoid making wrong food choices, although I've been known to do that too. I was also about 15 months post-op the first time I really felt hunger. Dana

Donna, I'm 27 months post-op and still do not feel hunger. Like everyone else who has responded, I eat on a schedule to avoid hypoglycemic episodes and to make better choices. Good luck! XOXOXO, Sharyn

Hi Donna My first hunger pain I felt must have been at three months. I thought somnething was wrong with me because I heard so many people say they never feel hungry. My hunger pains come and go. I try to drink water before eating because I find I can eat a lot more now being just a little over a year out. I also find if I keep myself busy I don't get many hunger pains. I do make the right food choices even when I feel hungry. My goal know is to maintain my weight and not gain any. I try to eat on schedule as much as possible.

Donna, I, unfortunately, am one of those that has had hunger pangs from practically day 1. At 10 days post-op I actually felt hungry. Of course, that early out a few sips of a protein drink and I was full. I will admit I don't get hunger pangs all that often and when I do, it usually goes away in about 5-10 minutes if I don't eat something. I try to eat every 3-5 hours or I can eat WAY too much when I do eat. This happened to me just last week. I ate something like a banana and a piece of cheese for bfast (around 9:30) then didn't eat again until almost 7 and I ate easily 4-5 oz of chicken, about 1/3 cup of rice, and some veggies, AND an orange! I was FLOORED! I never eat that much anymore...unless I've not eaten all day. So I'm careful because I don't want to eat that much at one sitting, but also, I find myself justifying a lot of night-time eating if I've not eaten much all day, too. Anyway, to completely answer your questions, yes, I get hunger pangs, usually at about the 4-5 hour mark after I've eaten something, but sometimes it is "head hunger", too, especially if it's only been 30 minutes since I've eaten! Michelle Open RNY 5/5/05 370/185 5'8"

I was wondering if this topic would appear on one of the messageboards! I am now 3 years out and am just now starting to get hunger pains, but only once in a while. I am going to be working with a nutritionist to help me because I am now under weight and do not like the way I look. It is so easy to forget to eat when you are not getting the hungry signal. And I thought dumping would be the most of my worries postop.