Question:
Still Hungry...what's my problem?

Since my surgery on 02/14/02, I can honeslty say that I have never felt "full" like so many other of you folks. I'll admit to satisfied...I ALWAYS measure my food and can always eat the full four ounces. And because I follow the plan, I don't eat anything again until my next meal. Often, I am hungy an hour or so after after a meal. My stomach actually growls. It's a bit dissappointing and not particularly easy on me, but if I have to, I can live with it if it means I'll be successful. However, some days, most especially the last two, I am hungry all the time. Here is what I've eaten today: 12oz., 39g Protein drink when I woke up, a breakfast (after I got to work) of 2 oz low-fat chicken sausage and 2oz ff/sf yogurt, then 1/2 of a tuna burger (no bun - just tuna) and 1 tblspn of spinach for lunch, and for my afternoon snack, seven baby carrots (roughly 1/4 c.) and one half of a protein bar. Including the morning protein drink, my water intake has been 52oz so far and it's only 3:30! I only drink at the approrpriate intervals. I've looked in the library to see other people's experiences like mine, but not surprisingly there is very little about people feeling hungry. My questions: Am I eating correctly and will I ever be able to feel like I actually had surgery or always like I am just on another diet and hungry all the time?    — PaulaM (posted on March 26, 2002)

March 26, 2002
You are definately not alone ! I was constantly hungry the first month and a half to the point when I woke up in the morning, I was excited about what I was going to eat. I couldn't waite for my next meal. Alot of terrific people on this site helped me out the best they could. Many folks told me it was only head hunger. Others told me to get away from soft foods, and to eat foods with substance.The fact of the matter is that I find myself flucuating with the hunger pains. By the way my surgery was on 1-18-02. [I have lost 58 lbs]. Somedays I wake up starving, especially before my mensus. Then I go thru a "not hungry" phase. Another strange thing that happen's is that foods you may have liked before surgery, don't taste good anymore. It seems that your following your diet really well. Eat a little more if you need to. Hope I helped.
   — Sherry S.

March 26, 2002
Wow - I was NEVER hungry until 9 weeks post-op! In fact, I couldn't get down a half-sandwich until 12 weeks post-op. My surgeon must have made my stoma especially small or something. Weird.
   — Terissa R.

March 26, 2002
I would be very unhappy if I had gone through all of this and still be hungry. First, are you drinking with or directly after meals. If not, I would call my surgeon and ask him what has gone wrong. Ask him why your tool is not working. I would not accept the answer "head hunger." Most of us do not have this problem so early on. Insist on answers. And, don't let them tell you it is your fault,
   — faybay