Question:
7 weeks postop, not feeling full & hungery 2 hrs after eatng

I had RNY on April 9,07. I have never felt full. I have never thrownup and within 2 , 2 1/2 hrs of eating I get hungary. I do not drink liquids at least 45 mins before & after eating. I eat 98% protein per meal & I can eat 6 to 7 ozs. per meal. I probably could eat more but I stop, never feeling satisfied, or never feeling full. Then 2 to 2 1/2 hrs. after eating I am hungery. Whats wrong?    — LaurieP (posted on May 31, 2007)

May 31, 2007
I have a friend who is the same way. Nothing is wrong pursay. RNY is not a guarantee to not feel full or hungry. It is a side effect of the surgery that many, but not all patients experience. You have a tool (your new pouch) and you will have to learn how to use it with the side effects or lack there of with your surgeon, nutrionist, PCP or whomever. My friend worked with the sugeron's nutrionist and medical group's nutrionist to work out a food/exercise plan that works for her and her being dissatisfied with food intake and feeling hungry. All I can say is, yes...it can be normal....there are many, many people out there who can eat and not feel full and feel hungry. Work with your medical support people to work out a plan for you. Good luck. Remember, it's just a tool - it depends on how you use your tool that matters. :)
   — jammerz

May 31, 2007
Hi there! I experienced the same thing you are going through for the first 6 months after my RNY. As you can imagine, I was completely freaking out! (especially during the holiday season...ugh!!!) I did see my nutritionist however, and she got me back on track. Now I'm at 11 months post op, and life is wonderful! (started at 315, now down to 172...16 pounds to goal-woohoo!) In all seriousness though, see your nutritionist again, or your surgeon, or even your support group if you have one. Those guys and gals are wonderful, not only for emotional support, but on ideas on what to eat as well. Hope this helps! Take it from me, things do get better!
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 31, 2007
Are you positive it's hunger you are feeling? I had the same problem for the first few months, I always felt what I thought was hunger. But, I talked to my nutritionist and she said it was probably my stomach healing from the surgery and it just felt like I was hungry. It took me a while to differentiate between what was real hunger and what was just my new stomach healing or acting up or sometimes even head hunger (VERY COMMON after surgery). I'm still trying to figure it out! Just keep up with what you have been doing and hopefully it will subside. Mine did at about 2 1/2 - 3 months out and now the only thing I worry about is how my head hunger can truly mess with me. It's a constant struggle, but so worth it.
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 1, 2007
Hi there! Actually, I don't think anything is "wrong". At 7 weeks out, you SHOULD be "hungry" every couple of hours, because your pouch can't really hold enough to keep you sated longer than that. Just keep drinking your water and throw in another protein shake if the hunger is distracting you. There's no such thing as "too much protein" at this stage! Best of luck!
   — momstah

June 1, 2007
Hi Laurie, thanks for your question. I am glad you are sticking to the program, even though it is hard for you. Let me encourage you that some of what you are feeling is head hunger. Our head loves to trick us, and we obese people love to fall for it. Don't fall for it. It feels like real hunger, the anxiety is like real hunger, but it is not, you are not starving, not even a little. I would suggest that you try to measure your pouch. How do you do that do you ask? Good question. You can take cottage cheese, and eat as much as you can in 5 minutes, or until you are "full". Start with a quarter cup, then another quarter, etc. In 5 minutes, whatever you can eat to produce a "full" feeling is the size of your pouch, 4 or 6 or 8 or whatever ounces. Here is the thing. The harmones we have will trick us into thinking that we can eat more than our stomach will actually hold. Once you know what your level is you have to stick with that much physical food, and ignore the "hunger" that will come later. Drinking warm herbal tea helps sooth the pouch sometimes. Stay away, far away from sugar drinks, juices and sodas. These are all horrible for you at this stage in your weight loss. It causes nothing but problems, as caffine also does as well. These things will also trick you into thinking you want more food. Stick to water, protein and exercise, then some light veggies as you feel you can. You have a lot of hope, but it sounds like the head games are really strong for you, especially if you don't consume sugar or caffine. Take care, and best to you. You can win this battle, it is a strong battle, but you can win it, just one day at a time. At 3 years out, I am still fighting the battle just one day at a time. Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P