Question:
I am starving even on full liquids 1 wk. post RNY

I'm taking my complete Bariatric vitamins, getting at least 60 mg. protein, drinking PLENTY. What could I be doing wrong?    — Postop_nurse (posted on July 14, 2003)

July 14, 2003
Give it time...the hunger goes away at around week 2 or 3...hang tough! see my profile, i was hungry, too!
   — msmaryk

July 14, 2003
I was unprepared for the hunger as well, I thought it'd miraculously be gone, but I was actually waking up because I was getting so hungry! My doctor's office had me on 3 meals a day, but said to add a snack (jello or pudding) at 2 am or whenever I woke up to go to the bathroom to hold me over till morning. My hunger went away in about 3 weeks...but it worried and bothered me, I just knew the surgery didn't work!! So don't worry!
   — Sungurl B.

July 14, 2003
Are you getting any hidden sugars? Like in juices or milk? I mean, really, check the labels and check the serving size. If I get sugar like that, I just want more, more, more. If you're using a good protein with water, it might help to either have more drinks at 30g each, or break up your 60 into 15g at a time?
   — vitalady

July 14, 2003
My surgeon put me on a liquid diet for 3 weeks as well. Like you, by the end of week 1 I thought I was going to die from hunger. I know it has a good number of carbs, but Campbells tomato soup, diluted with water, SAVED ME!! It filled me up for hours and gave me energy. It couldn't have been all that bad for me as I have already lost 70 lbs in just a little over 2 months! Good luck to you!
   — SMG I.

July 15, 2003
I don't have the hunger issue like you do (so sorry to hear that!) but I have found that biting and chewing sugar-free fudgesicles or popsicles help with the wanting to eat issue. It's still counted as liquid, but it feels like you are kind of "eating" something.
   — Liz R.

July 15, 2003
Sounds like a case of "head hunger" Fight it with protein. Some questions, though are you spacing out your protein or trying to do it all at once? Are you doing things like blenderized soups, cottage cheese, blenderized fruits with ice? My best friend at that stage was sugar free popsicles. Made me feel like I got something decent. Hang in there. It will pass. Every time you're hungry ask yourself if it's your body requesting food or just because you want something. That shocked me when I realized the difference. I ate a lot of times post-op when it was my head speaking and not my body. It's important while you're learning to determine the difference. I still struggle with that sometimes.
   — Cathy S.

July 15, 2003
Barb- You've gotten some great advice. Let me just reiterate what worked to help me keep the head hunger at bay: (1) up your protein (use clear protein drinks like Isopure), (2) watch all the hidden carbs and try to keep your carbs below 40 grams a day, (3) try chicken and beef broth and (4) try to convince yourself (which is very tough) that it's just head hunger. Fighting all those bad habits isn't easy-- even those of us who have lost a lot of weight struggle with those issue. But, in the early weeks, you have a great opportunity to take advantage of your limited capacity to try to wrestle with the food demons. It's tough work, but well worth it. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

July 15, 2003
I was nauseous from hunger on full liquids. [See my profile]. I wasn't able to stop being hungry until I was able to move to pureed food. If your surgeon will let you advance to puree, you may find the hunger disappears. The problem for me, with liquids, was that they just run right through my pouch and I'm still hungry!!! The pureed stuff filled up my pouch, and I stayed full on very small quantities. I couldn't believe the difference it made to me! Good luck!
   — Kathy J.