Question:
I am hungry ALL day long, and have been since day 1 home. I asked the Dr about it an

he uped my stage. # weeks post op and im still ALWAYS hungry. I can drink about 3 oz at once. Is this normal? And i NEVER EVER feel full. I normal stop myself when I think It may be to much. I had No vomiting either. Can some1 please help!?!    — b4nafter (posted on October 9, 2007)

October 9, 2007
I am not sure when you had your surgery or even what type you had but having said that...some of us do feel "hunger" right off but that is usually "head" hunger. They have cut the nerves in our stomach and it takes awhile for them to heal. While they are healing you could feel no hunger at all, no feeling of fullness, or the nerves can misfire while healing and tell you just the opposite. That is why it is so very important to follow your surgeon/nuts protocol....now even more then much later on. The hunger is not fun to deal with, but the reality is that you should only eat or drink the amount your nut has advised. Good Luck CarolynK
   —  CarolynK

October 9, 2007
I know how you feel! Everyone says its head hunger but Its not I ate a hole slice of pizza I could eat and eat if i wanted to. I just drink my protien shacks all day and fight hunger. It sucks hu?
   — aluvzu2

October 9, 2007
Don't know what type of surgery you had but I am about 3 1/2 months post op with RNY. I know for about the first 1 1/2 months I was hungry almost all the time and really never felt full. Like you I would go ahead and stop myself because I didn't want to get sick. Now, I seldom get hungry. Make sure when you do eat it is primarily protein because it will stay with you longer and be sure to wait about 1 hour after you eat before drinking anything. This will allow the food to stay with you longer. Also drink @ least the 64 oz. of water we are supposed to have. This hunger feeling will pass soon and just be sure in the meantime to give your body good nutrients.
   — neisha =.

October 9, 2007
I have a few friends and know a few people in support group who are the same as you. Know that other people have the same issues. The loss of hunger/appetite, ability to feel full quickly, etc. are all really side effects of surgery and not everyone gets them. Some people get a few, some people get all and some people get none. It's your bodies response to the surgery. My good friend is in the same boat, and is losing - up to over 80lbs now, but it's slow going some times. She works out and monitors her food intake, portions, etc. and does well. It is hard sometimes, but it is for all of us regardless of what side effects we are saddled with. Good luck. Don't get discouraged and use you tool to the best of your ability.
   — jammerz

October 9, 2007
My husband could eat right off the bat, and always felt hungry. I was amazed because I could not even eat the blue popsicle they gave me in the hospital to check for leaks! But he ate his whole popsicle and could drink normally. It was months before I could even stomach anything even water. I tried all kinds of foods and had to make myself eat. I am glad that I was that way. It would be HARD to fight off hunger--but at first I did have head hunger, but when I tried to feed it, I realized it was a mistake, LOL
   — GAYLE CARMACK-LYONS

October 10, 2007
Contrary to the belief of one of the previous posters it IS head hunger. Do whatever it takes to stick to what your nutritionist said to eat and how much. Distract your mind as well as your hands. Try getting up and moving around, or are you into any type of needlework or cross stitch perhaps? Family nearby? Get out the board games and play with them. Do some organizing around your home. As I said, whatever it takes and also try to understand WHY you have the head hunger. Nip it in the bud now or you will have mega problems later on! Good luck and God bless
   — crystalsno

October 10, 2007
Tee, I have been working with a non-surgical bariatric doctor because I started gaining a bit again and need help. She is who my surgeon sends patients to who are having problems losing. In one of her lectures she said that there are people that don't ever feel full. It just isn't there! They have to figure out how much they need and watch what they need. I don't know if that is the case with you, I am not a doctor. Just thought that I would throw out some ideas for you to check on. Good Luck - Judy
   — jk_harris

November 8, 2007
I am almost 5 years out from gastric bypass, and I never felt full either. My stomach growled from day one. So no, Jolynn, you don't know what you're talking about. It IS NOT HEAD HUNGER if you're stomach is growling!!!! Got it??? Anyway, the day I was told to switch to solid foods, I was able to eat as much as before the surgery. Obviously something went way wrong. I had no nausea and no vomiting. My surgeon was supposed to make my pouch the size of a thumb, and HE DIDN'T DO IT! I looked into suing him, because I went from 300 lbs. to 280 lbs. That's it. I had open RNY and I only lost 20 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!! People need to stop telling others that their hunger is head hunger because it just may not be! Go back to your doctor and make him find out what is wrong.
   — [Deactivated Member]