Question:
I am first week out post op, and on liquids (cosistancey of runny cream of wheat)...I

feel constantly hungry. Is this the head hunger I have heard of? Is it even possible to be truly hungry? I don't know how to tell if I'm full at this stage. All I feel at times is heart burn. Is that what it feels like to be "full"?    — Lisa S. (posted on December 11, 2007)

December 11, 2007
Please talk to your surgeon. Is your stomach actually growling? It may NOT be head hunger. I woke up from my gastric bypass starving, I never lost my appetite, and my stomach growled from day one. Turns out the surgeon botched the job. Stay on him/her, and make them find out if anything went wrong.
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 11, 2007
Hi Lisa, I'm two months out and know what you're talking about. I think the problem is that we don't know what full is. During the first few weeks I wasn't sure what full was and couldn't even tell in my own head if I was hungry or not. before the surgery, we could've had days that we were hungry all day long without satisfaction. Try to think that this is your first week out and you still don't even know how to read this new stomach. I would see it as a baby. Like you have to take care of it. one question is are you measuring your food. At first I measured with the jello cups. After a week or so your stomach learns how to digest that jello alot faster so then you get hungrier sooner. When your diet changes to puree or soft foods like: cream of wheat, eggs, yogurt, mashed potatoes or thick soups, start measuring with measuring cups for 4oz. When I started to measure like this, I ate the 4oz. and did feel full. After a while, you get used to what 4oz. looks like and don't have to measure anymore, but you will learn how much makes you full. And the different foods, can be tricky also. Yogurt you can probably have 1/2 or a little more than 1/2, but when it's time for cold cereal, you have to measure the 4oz. cause that will get you full. The only way I can tell you how to know when you're full is when your are eating whatever, and you feel the food going in your stomach, wait a few minutes until it is all the way in your stomach and then see if you can have another bite. See our minds want to always take that last or extra bite, but if you're feeling full or even thinking maybe I'm full, don't swallow that last bite, or you will throw up. Good luck with everything.
   — Big-Dzz

December 11, 2007
Hi Lisa, thanks for writing, and congratulations on your surgery. I don't know how to address the heartburn issue, but heartburn is not feeling full. Some people struggle with heartburn issues after surgery, but it is hard to understand because if you had the RNY, then the bile fluids are in the bottom part of your stomach, so it could burn to cause the heartburn. I would run that by your surgeon. Heartburn, in my opinion, also causes us to feel that hunger sensation which could contribute your what you are going through. I assure you though, you are not hungry, and your body is fighting against your head. Are you an emotional eater? This could be a portion of why you are, if you are an emotional eater. Heartburn triggers the sensation that "I need/want" something. See what your surgeon says about that, and know that your body is fighting against your mind. This is definitely head hunger working you over, but the heartburn, in my opinion, is probably a separate but contributing issue. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

December 11, 2007
Hi there, I am 5 weeks out now and I was confused at first too and had no idea where I was supposed to feel hungery or full. Your stomach is now just below your ribs and overeating you will feel sharp stabbing pains like heartburn but worse. I haven't had a problem with feeling hungery other than wanting everything I see but I don't feel hungery at all. Ask the Nutritionist, they are great help. -Pam
   — Pam_B_OR