Question:
I am 2 weeks post op and find that I am hungry, and actually interested in food.

To my dismay, my food triggers can still be set off. I really thought that even the thought of food would make me ill. Unfortunately, I think about food and find that I am truly hungry. I am heartbroken over this. I thought that was over for me. Please tell me someone else battles this as well. Thanks    — midaem (posted on January 25, 2007)

January 25, 2007
It's the head thing. I was exactly the same way. I was not eating enough and was hungry all the time and wanting the foods that I used to eat. I finally got smart, drank my liquids and never allowed myself to feel hunger again. Six weeks later, I am fine, and food is just not that attractive to me! Good luck, it does get better, hang in there, Diane
   — Diane C.

January 25, 2007
Check the sugar grams on every single thing you are taking in. Juice? Milk? Baby food? Sugar can light off an appetite like nothing you've ever seen. Keep the sugar to the single digits per meal and that will help. Are you using protein supplement? How many g protein to how many g sugar (including whatever you mix it with)? And finally, is it FLAVORS you crave or TEXTURES?
   — vitalady

January 25, 2007
I totally understand! I even posted a similar question on OH and got a lot of helpful answers. The way my surgeon explained that problem to me is just that everyone is different. Some people have no appetite (i know some) after surgery and then there are us who is always hungry. I thought maybe it was because I was exercising too much and he said no it's just the individual. But don't worry it will pass. You just have to keep in mind how small the stomach is now so whatever you put in there let it be your protein drink or something with protein keep you satisfied. When you are able to eat more you'll see that even if you get hungry and eat something (good or bad) your stomach will only allow a very minimal amount and thats a lot to be thankful for!
   — fre4christ

January 25, 2007
Hello Joan, thanks for your comments. It doesn't surprise me at all that you have an interest in food, I am surprised that it has taken two weeks for it to kick in. Obesity, in my opinion, is a head issue with a body consequence. Your head will try and trick you every day that you need more food, you are gonna die without more food, that you are destroying yourself by not eating. It is a strong delusion that your brain is fighting with you. Drink warm tea, something soothing and give your pouch something warm and comforting to sooth it, but don't listen to your head. You have a great tool that you can use for your health benefit, but make no mistake girl, the battle has just begun. Surgery is NOT a miracle, it is a tool. Use it wisely and it will help you a lot, be a fool with it, and you will be sorry you every decided to have surgery. The choice is still yours, every day. Fight for it, and train your mind to think of other things, learn a new habit like reading, or study nutrition or something that will focus your enery on training yourself for these new changes. Best to you, Patricia P
   — Patricia P

January 26, 2007
I had the same problem, until I realized that I was "mentally" hungry... realizing my emotional tie with food. It will pass... it gets better for me every day... I'm 4 weeks post op and once in a while I feel like I'm hungry... but I'm not really. :)
   — airbear762000

January 27, 2007
Joan... I wasn...no, am... just like you. I had an appetite since I left the hospital. I never lost an interest in food. It doesn't mean that I cannot eat well and I have lost 105 lbs (now happy at 1 1/2 yrs. out, weight 145, size 6/8). I still feel hungry and when I do I eat. Don't be heartbroken over not losing interest in food. Do what you needs to do...eat well, protein, water, vitamins, you still won't be able to eat MUCH when you are hungry and that, to me is the best part, you can still enjoy food and get to your goal! Best wishes.
   — SteffieBear15

January 27, 2007
I had lap rny on 02/21/06 and am down to about 140 lbs, from a high of 266 18 months ago. About two weeks after my surgery we had a birthday party for my sister's grandson, with lasagna, garlic bread, and ice cream cake. I smiled and drank my protein shake while the entire family filled their plates at least once, many had seconds (as I would have in the past), but it really bothered me a lot. I knew I couldn't eat any of the food, but I wanted it so badly! I was miserable and resentful, and scared that my surgery was all for nothing. I knew I wasn't really hungry, but I sure felt as though I was. Only a small bit of willpower and a lot of fear of what would happen if I had even a few bites of the heavy, greasy food so soon after my operation got me through the day. I've found over the last year that it does get easier to avoid the stuff that made me so heavy in the first place. At this point I've never dumped and can eat anything I want, though my diet is almost exclusively protein, fruit and vegetables. I still don't really get hungry, even when I know I need to eat to get my nutrients, but I do tend to keep the liquids pouring in all day, except before and after a meal. If for some reason I haven't had anything to drink for awhile (and it's not my normal mealtime), any food will tempt me, but getting a mug of decaf or glass of Crystal Light will make the feeling go away. My big treat of the day is an apple (peeled) when I get home from work. I can't say that it will always be easy, and I'm still pretty new to this myself, but you might want try drinking as much as you can tolerate when the hunger hits you. If clear liquids don't seem to help, and you are allowed protein shakes at this point, try drinking an extra one. Of course, if your doctor has a nutritionist on staff, please consult with him/her before taking my advice or anyone else's.
   — packrat

March 9, 2007
Hi...I hope all is going well for you by now. I agree with a few of the other comments made here to your question. I had surgery 06/10/02, I weighed 323 lbs at the time of my surgery. I have reached my goal and have been around goal weight for over 3 years now. I realized when I had the surgery that I wasn't hungry. I didn't want to eat...why, you might wonder...well I never did have an issue with food as being comfort for me. If you used food as a comfort when upset or whatever your food comfort trigger is. Maybe you are experiencing an I NEED COMFORT and your brain is telling you that you are hungry, when in reality you aren't. I never knew after surgery that I was hungry and had to force myself to eat when my family had meals. So I had to struggle with not wanting to eat. Just make sure you follow your pouch rules, drink plenty of water/liquids and do your walking or other exercise that you have been advised to do. Things will work out for you...Just remember you have been given one of the best weightloss tools available...use it WISELY!!!
   — Deb S.