Question:
New Post-op With Growling Tummy

I had surgery 9 days ago, and I'm currently on a soft diet. My tummy is always growling and I have this intense hunger sensation as a result. I don't think it's head hunger, as I'm not craving anything in particular. It's just an intense gurgling sensation in my pouch. Even after I've eaten, I have a very intense gurgling and burning. Burping seems to relieve it only slightly. Any ideas. Thank you in advance!    — Le P. (posted on February 13, 2004)

February 13, 2004
hi katie- i had the same thing as a new post op and was assured by my doctor and this board that what i was feeling was not hunger pangs, but rather the stomach trying to heal itself- i'm sure everyone was right because i knew that i wasn't really hungry (the very idea of food that early out was enough to make me sick!) and the gnawing/gurgling feeling went away eventually- good luck!
   — Jannie N.

February 13, 2004
When you are not yet eating solid food you CAN feel hungry. I am not sure if it is phantom hunger or head hunger or real hunger though I doubt the last one. I Remember thinking, "What the heck??? I thought I was never supposed to feel this again?" Well as soon as more solid foor entered my diet I really never did feel hungry at all. Even at over a year post op I am only hungry for about 2 days a month. Guess which ones! When I have my period I am starving for some reason but it is gone as quickly as it came. As far as the noise goes, EVERY time I eat I have loud audible grumbling that makes my friends stare. I just say that I am "growly" and it passes quickly. A no brainer of a trade off to not be fat any more. The burning could be telling you to slow down on your food progression. Don't be in a rush and listen to the pouch when it talks to you.
   — Carol S.

February 13, 2004
I thought thats the way I felt too, but it was head hunger for me. I could'nt even barely get 2oz down my first 6mo and I never wanted to eat, I had to make myself eat, but I cried and cried (had toddler tantrums lol) for those first 6mo mourning the taste of food, I missed it so much and never knew I was so addicted to food. Now I wish I could go back b/c I eat chips, candy, fried foods and all the other fattening crap that helped put me through all this and im struggling to maintain goal now b/c I eat about 1c or a little over of food, alot of bad choices at that. I hardley even dump now and of course my first year I dumped on a cracker. Good luck and congrats on your surgery :o)
   — Sandy M.

February 14, 2004
Hi I had my surgery on the same day as you did and I know what you mean about the growling. I was told that this would happen off and on for ever probably. I have found that if I just keep up with all that is on my list strained cream soup, broth, sugar free carnation instant breakfast and lots of hot tea and water I don't ever feel hungry. My Dr recommend that I take pepcid twice a day and I think maybe that is helping with the burning because I haven't had that problem. I did try a scrambled egg Thurs and thought I would die from the pain, I only was able to eat less than 1/2 of the egg. It will be along time before I try an egg again. Good Luck Nancy
   — nefish

February 14, 2004
Yup, I can relate to the tummy making those noises, so loud it is embrarassing - but like most answers say, it is not hunger. Instead it is an entire orchestra or messenger thingies fixing our tummy from surgery. I am 2 months out and still get that channel too, VERY loud and I cannot turn it down or off. It happens also after I have eaten, but not each time so I cannot associate it with food or drink. Only suggestion is: DO NOT GO THE THE QUIET PLEASE section OF THE LIBRARY LOL.
   — Anna M.

February 14, 2004
That is pretty natural. Are you on anything like Pepcid AC? My surgeon put me on it post-surgery for six weeks. I am over two months out and still stay on it because I noticed an increase in the "hunger sensation" when I went off. I just crush the pill and take it on a teaspoon with water - it is not that bad tasting and I figure I will absorb it better that way.
   — Arizona_Sun

February 14, 2004
Pepcid AC also comes in chewable (minty flavor) available at drug stores, etc. Good luck.
   — squeejlueej

February 14, 2004
Hi, I had surgery on the 5th of February and I am not having any "Growling", but to let you know, My surgeon put me on Prevacid Powder for any pain and burning. So far it has worked great. I have been having Big Problems with Hunger, seems I want to eat everything in site but I am still suppose to be on clear liquids. I email Dr. Fendley yesterday and asked if I could have Hot and Sour Soup and Egg Drop Soups ?? His response was," As long as it was Clear, it would be fine" !! Wonderful ! I drink about an ounce every thirty minutes or so and I am no longer wanting to eat everything in site. Cindy
   — cindirella