Question:
Feeling hopeless...always hungry. Need encouragement badly.

I swore I wouldn't allow myself to get like this, but I can't help it. I need to know that someone out there is feeling just like me right now. I am three weeks post-op today. As far as I can tell I am doing everything right. I get my 64 oz of water in, I stick almost entirely to protein for food. I am already walking a mile+ each day. I eat about three times a day. For example, I had 1/2 cup of soup and 1/4 cup of pureed egg salad when I woke up. Later in the day a whole piece of gefillte fish, and for dinner, another 1/2 cup of soup, 2 oz. of grilled fish and three mashed up, over cooked asparagus stalks. In the evening, I'll have a s/f popsicle. Most days I also have a 20 ounce protein drink. I think this is a lot of food for only three weeks. The problem is, I am constantly hungry. Actual hunger pain and grumbling in my tummy and it is making me so sad. I am so depressed - if I wanted to be hungry all of the time, I could've just gone on a strict diet. I never thought I'd say that, but that's how hungry I always am. You know, that kind of hungry, when you were on a new diet and barely ate anything all day so you were so, so hungry that you just couldn't take it anymore? That's how I feel almost 24/7. On top of it, although I lost 22 pound the first two weeks, I weight myself today nad only lost 4.5 more. I am trying so hard. Before surgery, I imagined that as long as I did everything as I was supposed to, I'd be all right. I'm sorry to whine. I usually don't like to complain at all, but I'm so upset and feel so desperate. Anyone in the same boat, so I know I'm not crazy?    — [Anonymous] (posted on March 8, 2002)

March 7, 2002
Hi, first off let me say that you are not alone. I was in the same boat as you. I tried to eat only 3 or 4 times a day. But my doctor insist on 6 small meals a day with a couple of snacks. It keeps the hunger at bay and keeps you from grazing. I admit it is hard and it is not exactly cheap due to the extra meals but it is well worth it. I have lost 71 pounds and doing great!!!!!! I love my new life. Good Luck and God bless.
   — TONYA B.

March 7, 2002
Hi,I just had to answer... this topic comes up so frequently in chat that usually many people are screaming the same thing all at once. LOL First at three weeks your new tummy is not even healed all the way, it takes a few more weeks to have the pouch nerves totally healed..second and this will sound nuts...If you dont eat enough you wont loose the weight.. it takes at least 800 calories a day to maintain really good weight loss.. and if you are hungery between meals mabey try breaking your meals dowm into 4 to 6 littler meals a day many have to...No matter what remember it takes time to heal the insides!!!!!stay off the scale get your protien and water and relax it will happen good luck
   — BBD

March 7, 2002
I want to tell you that in the beginning it is hard to learn what works for you personally, and you are still at the stage of finding out what that is. Some doctors will tell you only 3 meals per day, but I couldn't even imagine surviving like that! Since surgery 9 months ago I have been eating 6 "mini meals" per day, with lots of fluids in between. Since it sounds like you are still on the pureed stage, foods are moving through your pouch quicker than when you get to solids. For now, I would suggest eating more dense foods, even pureed, and not as much soup because that moves right through and leaves you feeling hungry. Things like cottage cheese, chicken pureed with some broth and veggies, meatballs, anything a bit denser with some more substance will probably fill your pouch and leave you fuller. Also, I would eat more frequently, as it not only keeps you more satisfied but also keeps your metabolism running more efficiently. You are walking already, and your body needs you to fuel it properly to make up for the calories you are burning.Since I have been exercising I noticed more hunger, and I give my body what it needs, but only healthy foods. It will get better and you will find your way, I promise! Email me directly and I will help you in any way I can if you would like. Best of luck to you!
   — Vicki K.

March 7, 2002
Hi, I had the same problem until someone told me to wait at least 1 to 1 1/2 hours after eating before drinking anything. That helps keep the food in your pouch longer. Hope this helps.
   — Janet R.

March 7, 2002
I'll bet you anything you are hitting the postop depression period. Lots of people go thru that (I did) and it is normal. As far as losing less weight--your body may be shifting. I went on a plateau from weeks 3-6. Didn't lose an ounce. But when it broke I went down 2 sizes overnight. <p>IMHO I think you should eat 6 times a day. No more than you can eat, you WILL get hungry eating 3-4 times a day. And if your dr says it's okay, try more soft solids instead of soups. That will make you feel fuller for longer. My dr allowed thinly sliced deli meat and cheese at 3 weeks. Also tuna fish on a cracker or 2, stuff like that will fill up your tummy and allow it to stretch ever so slightly to signal to your brain you are full. Also, don't combine liquidy stuff with solids (e.g. soup with fish) because you will wash the solids out before your stomach can fill up and, YES: you will feel hungry again. The other poster had a good point too about not drinking for 30-45 minutes after eating.<p>The point of this is not to feel miserable but to feed your body what your BODY needs instead of what your BRAIN needs. I think you would probably be much happier if you added some small meals in there. And by meal I mean something nutritious--even if it is just 1 oz of cheese or a little fruit--that will give your body the protein and other nutrition it needs. I know how frustrating this period of time after surgery is. Feel free to email me if you want. Good luck and happy losing!
   — ctyst

March 8, 2002
I too was hungry a lot, and if I eat too many carbs I'm still a grazer. So - and you'll hear this repeatedly - when you do eat, try and make it as high protein as you can, as your blood sugar stays more stable, enabling you to feel full longer. And of course, no drinking for at least 30 min. after eating, so you don't 'wash' what you do eat our of your new tummy. And remember, we all get 'head hunger' out of habit - that's a bit more work to control, but it's much easier if you eat 6 small meals a day. Good luck!
   — scottiemaam O.

March 9, 2002
I'm 7mo out and I find if I consume anything with nutrasweet I am left with a ravenous hunger. As long as I stay away from anything with nutrasweet in it, I have no hunger at all. Its just what I found in my experience. I'm still learning what food combinations I tolerate. I still keep a food journal and it helps me detect what foods/drinks do what and the best combinations I can handle the best. We all have different experience, you will need to find what works best for you. There is no way I could eat 6x a day, but that's me. Grazing got me MO to start with, I have a history of compulsive overeating and I'm afraid of it rearing its ugly head again. Its a totally new relearning time for us. Be patient, you and your body are still in the learning phase of eating with your new plumbing. Just remember you have to get your protein and water and vitamins in, those are essential to prevent long term complications. Everything else is what works best for YOU.
   — Helen B.

April 4, 2002
I had the same problem with being hungry all the time. I was told it was "head hunger" but too had gumbling tummy and "pain", beleive me I recognized it because I hadn't really been "hungry" in years lol. Anyway, what ended up being my problem was the sugary pain meds I was taking and too much fruit juice. See the sugar (I think) would stimulate the insulin production in my body, when there wasn't enough for the insulin to work on it stimulates the body to be hungry, same principle they talk about with high protein diets. My solution was to eat a cheese stick before taking my meds, also started drinking more water and less juice (even natural sugar was causing problems) From then on no more problems, unless I forgot to eat high protein before meds. I also never eat a carb without a protein (cheese always with crackers) Hope this helps
   — Brenda F.