Question:
I am 41/2 months out and STARVING!!

I am four and a half months post op RNY. I have lost 70lbs and I am feeling great....but, I can eat so much now. Not really so much at one time but I am always hungry. This just started about two weeks ago. I eat and then an hour later, I am starving again. I know it is not head hunger because I have tried to ignore it only to get a bad headache and dry heave. I am not gaining weight but I am not loosing either. I have not lost any weight in a month. HELP! What is wrong with me? Why am I always hungry? I can eat about a half of a sandwich in one sitting, I don't know if that is good or bad. I hope this isn't it. I hope someone out there has some kind of answer. Thank you!    — Tami H. (posted on October 2, 2003)

October 2, 2003
A half a sandwich is perfect, actually! You sound like you need to lay off the bread part of that sandwich though, and up the protein. That will ease the hunger quite a bit. Your body is trying to get you to eat more, because it is in "starvation mode" right now. Don't delve into those carbs... increase your protein intake and try not to drink anything for at least an hour or more after eating... it should keep your tummy full for a longer period, then. Now... you might consider getting your thyroid checked... it can cause that horrible hunger, too!! Good luck!
   — Sharon m. B.

October 2, 2003
I went thru a couple of periods where I experienced the same. I discovered two things about myself - one I wasn't drinking enough fluids and my body was replacing a feeling of hunger for thirst. I would even throw up. You could try drinking something, even something kind of thickish (like hot cocoa - sugar-free of course) and see if that helps. And as was mentioned before more protein, less carbs. Carbs made me hungry more often. I started eating string cheese between meals as it always sat well and filled me up AND increased my calcium and protien intake. I sure hope you find what works for you. If none of these things work, please talk to your doctor and see if you may have a staple line disruption or an enlarged stoma. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 3, 2003
Tami, I'm six months out, and went through the same thing as you are at about the same time. There wasn't any reason that I could discern, but I seemed to be hungry all the time. It went away after two or three weeks, though. I did start drinking more then (up from 64 ounces to between 74 and 80 ounces a day). I also agree with other posters that you should limit the refined carbohydrates. They do lead to more hunger. It also helps me to continue to eat and drink throughout the day. That way my pouch isn't empty for long, and I don't feel hungry. The pattern that I've adopted is: 12 ounces of water with my morning vitamins when I get up at 6:00; 20 ounces of Rocamojo roasted soy bean coffee substitute (26 grams of protein) between 7:30 and 8:15 as I get ready for work, breakfast (usually 4 ounces of yogurt w/one tablespoon Grape Nuts or two slices of deli meat rolled up w/ a slice of cheese) between 9:00 and 9:30, a cup of decaf coffee around 10:30, lunch (about 3 oz of meat or fish, and about two tablespoons of vegetable or fruit) between 12:00 and 12:30, 24 ounces of Crystal Light or decaf iced tea between 2:00 and 3:30, a snack (usually 2 oz of cheese or 1/4 cup of nuts) between 3:30 and 4:00, and dinner (similar to lunch) around 6:00. I'll sometimes have another cup of Rocamojo or decaf coffee around 8:00. If I feel hungry before bed, I'll have a handful of cashews or a piece of string cheese. This amount of food comes to 900 to 1000 calories a day, so I'm not overeating, but I stave off the hunger pangs by eating or drinking frequently. That may work for you.
   — Vespa R.

October 3, 2003
The others are right. The key is to eat frequently-small, protein based meals and snacks, drink a ton of water to stay hydrated, and cut down on carbs while upping the protein. To not lose weight for a month is normal for some-plateaus do happen and while frustrating it will pass.
   — Cindy R.

October 3, 2003
I went thru this, too. I think I really did need to eat more! I had been eating every 3 hours or so and switched to eating every 2 hours. I always tried to stick with Protein First, then fruits & veggies, then other stuff if I had room. It was really hard cuz I really felt hungry! I had to drink tea and stuff between and even then I watched the clock. But it only lasted a couple of months and then my appetite was back to, well, not as low as it was before, but manageable on eating every few hours. I think your body can just go only so long on so little calories before it revolts. It was asking for food, I fed it, and it realized I wasn't going to starve it to death so it finally let me lose the rest of my weight in peace. LOL
   — ctyst

October 9, 2003
I am a little over 4 months and I've started going through the same thing. I decided to start using the "Rules for the Pouch". I suggest you read them (you can send me an email if you want a copy). Basically, you don't drink anything for 2 hours after you eat and then you load your intestines up with water before you eat. It really made a difference for me. I no longer feel the desire to eat constantly. When I was newly post-op I was having 800 calories a day. It then went up to 1200 calories. I am now back down to around 800 with the water loading technique.
   — D. S