Question:
I AM 3 WEEKS POST OP FROM THE LAP BAND AND I AM HUNGRY! WHEN WILL THIS STOP?
— funloven06 (posted on July 15, 2007)
July 15, 2007
Well, it depends. Where are you on your food progression? Still on
liquids? Purees? Mushies? As soon as you get to progress, your hunger
will abate. I know it's hard, but it's also temporary. Stick to your
guns, and you will be so glad you did! Drink lots of water; it helps.
— Jeanie
July 15, 2007
i am on the soft foods now and i can still eat more than 3 ounces. I am
hungry still after I eat.
— funloven06
July 15, 2007
If you feel good, no pain or discomfort in your stomach, you might want to
start introducing very, very soft foods. These will stick with you more.
Try sugar free yogurt, small curd fat-free cottage cheese, sugar free
pudding... assuming your surgeon told you to do liquids for 4 weeks, you're
almost ready for mushies anyway.
Personally I started mushies at 2 weeks because when I got hungry it hurt.
When I started soft foods, it didn't hurt me... when I talked to my surgeon
about it and told her I went to mushies early, she said that's her advice
when people feel good and are hungry.
Best of luck!
Beth
— Beth F.
July 15, 2007
I am a bit over four weeks post-op and mentioned to the docotr that I am
hungry in the afternoon. I am now on solids introducing one or two at a
time. The dietician told me to eat a protein snack in the afternoon...
cottage cheese, string cheese, etc. and that helps a bit. However, I am
now scheduled for my first fill on July 30 so that should really help.
Hope this helps.
Mary Ann
— Mary Ann H.
July 16, 2007
I am 3 1/2 weeks post-op and hungry...the doctor told me that I should
start introducing solid foods..that will help with the hunger..
Roxanne H.
— rhammgag
July 16, 2007
Hi Heather, thanks for writing. You have the age old question and the big
issue for the obese person. I had an RNY, so I did not have the lap band.
Both surgeries have their plus and minus issues, but hunger seems to be a
common ground for both surgeries. For the RNY patient, it is really a head
issue. We are certain that we are starving to death because we are eating
so little. It is a battle that we fight every day. With the lap band, you
don't have the separation of the stomach, and therefore the harmone that
encourages hunger is still very much in tact right after surgery, whereas
that harmone is re-routed on the RNY patient for about 6-12 months. I
think hunger would be more of an issue for you with the lap band. Even
though you can feel full with the band, and probably do, once it drops into
the lower stomach, you will fight the regular issues of hunger that you
have always had. You have to realize that it is mostly a head issue. Your
body wants you to indulge, your body wants it to stay where it is, and will
fight tooth and nail to win. It is a head issue with a body consequence.
The short answer Heather is that it may not stop any time soon. You need a
lap band support group to stay in touch with, and you need to find ways to
subside those urges to eat more than you should. Losing weight has ALWAYS
been about diet and exercise. You just now have a tool that will help you
if you work with it. I hope you do. It is a battle, but you are worth it
and I hope that you find the support you need, and the gumption to do right
for your health's sake. Take care. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
July 16, 2007
The lapband surgery is not "complete" until you are properly
adjusted. Generally your first adjustment is 4-6 weeks post-surgery.
Additional adjustments are usually at 30 day intervals. Until your band is
at the proper adjustment, you will fill hunger. It will go away once you
are properly adjusted. For most folks, that is 4-5 adjustments.
In case you are wondering, I have the band. I am 4+ years post-operative.
I used to weigh 240; now weigh 127.
Good luck.
— VickiStevens
July 16, 2007
I HAD THE BAND I MONTH AGO. MY DOC SAID WHEN THE SWELLING GOES DOWN (MINE
DID AT 3 WEEKS), THE OPENING IS WIDE OPEN AND NOT TO EXPECT TO LOSE ANY
WEIGHT. I LOST 10LBS INITIALLY, BUT NONE SINCE. HE SAID TO EAT ANYTHING I
WANTED, I WAS WORRIED I WOULD STRETCH MY POUCH. HE SAID THE FOOD WILL GO
RIGHT THROUGH AT THIS POINT UNTIL I GET MY FIRST FILL AT THE END OF THE
MONTH.
— MAYROSE
July 16, 2007
I also felt like I was constantly hungry after I started eating post
surgery. Everyone in the support group said that you start feeling full
once you have your first fill, so I wouldn't worry about it. Our surgeon
had us on a liquid diet for the first two weeks and then we were allowed to
move on to semi solids. The first time I had a bowl of Cream of Wheat, it
was wonderful and completely filling.
— theshortzeta
July 17, 2007
I had my lap-band on June 25. I am having the same problem. I just spoke to
my dietician and she said I must make sure I am having my 80 grams of
protein a day. I know when I get my first fill I won't be hungry like this.
— classylass288
July 18, 2007
Thanks so much for posting this question! And thanks to all of you with
answers. I had my surgery almost two weeks ago. I had lost 23 pounds
before my surgery and didn't have the hunger pains I have now. I have
started eating some regular food and it helps with the hunger pains. I've
been worried that my surgery didn't work or something and quite honestly,
felt ashamed that I was dealing with this hunger issue.
— mary_n
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