Question:
Hunger Pains

I had my surgery on July 21, 2009 and fell hungry all yhe time. I had Gastric Bypass and very sucessful no pain and home on July 23. Doing protienn shakes and crystal light, but still feel hungry. I can't fit more then 2 ounces in at a time or I get bloated. I also have sugar free jello and pudding. HELP!!!    — cathymeyerny (posted on July 28, 2009)


July 28, 2009
If you can't fit anything more into your stomach, but you feel hungry, it's probably what people here call "head hunger" which means you're not really hungry, you just think you are. Make sure you're doing everything according to the doctor and nutritionist's orders so you're getting enough protein and liquids and when you can, go to a support meeting or two. It will probably help.
   — agwc

July 28, 2009
Hi, I agree with Andrea if you are full to the point of inability to put more in there shouldn't be hunger. I am 4 1/2 months out and the volume I can comfortably eat is going up. I still measure and decide before I start to eat how much is going to be in that meal. When I finish I feel like I could easily eat more but I don't. Within 10-15 minutes I realize I am satisfied and no longer " hungary" for more. This is something to work on now while your pouch size is small enough to assist you. Later on you'll primarily need to rely on habits you establish now. Hang in there you can do it!!!!!!!! Kevin
   — hapkidodoc

July 28, 2009
I always found that the strained creamed soups helped me feel like I had more substance or a jello. Eat them slow.
   — lesleigh07

July 28, 2009
Hey all, it's not head hunger it is in my stomach that I feel the pain. I know the difference. I have wants too, like something crunchy and meat. But I am still hungry in my stomach.
   — cathymeyerny

July 28, 2009
i agree-- head hunger is when you WANT something to eat but your tummy isn't feeling hunger pangs. when you're on liquid diet what you eat pretty much goes right through the pouch right away. sometimes your pouch/stoma will be swollen while it's healing and you won't feel hungry at all. once you are on more "solid" foods, it will take longer for them to pass through the stoma and you will feel greater satiety. for now just keep drinking your fluids. it will get better.
   — greenpunchbuggie

July 28, 2009
I also had my surgery on 7/21 and my dr told me to consume 4 ozs. to get rid of the bloated feeling I walk around the house or outside alittle. Walking helps the bloating feeling is probably gas. Do you take Gas X and my dr sent some pills named Zantac with breakfast and dinner and that helps too. I thought I was strange that I can consume my entire 4 ozs. Good luck and keep me posted.
   — Christine P.

July 28, 2009
Could very likely be "head" hunger. This just takes time to help you get through. It comes from old habits. I find that if I eat a protein bar many times this will make me feel satisfied without lots of calories and I get 15 grams of protein. Bob
   — rkurquhart

July 28, 2009
I belive with the head hunger group it is way to early to have real hunger pains. as far as the 2 oz of liquid that is normal. Make sure you are drinking 70 to 80 oz of liquids and 70 to 80 grams of protein a day. Good luck
   — matigian

July 28, 2009
I belive with the head hunger group it is way to early to have real hunger pains. as far as the 2 oz of liquid that is normal. Make sure you are drinking 70 to 80 oz of liquids and 70 to 80 grams of protein a day. Good luck
   — matigian

July 29, 2009
Your mind is used to feeling "stuffed" so when you realize you have only had a small amount of food, but "YOU" know you are full, that is a good indication that it is head hunger. Generally, with the rny (I can only speak for) since the nerves are cut in your stomach which leads to you not being hungry, once they grow back together and are normal again, then you will feel actual hunger. That will take around 3-4 months. Some people are sooner some people are later. So I hope this helps. But you did great realizing you are full. Stay with that and the head hunger won't get you to over eat. Say no to the hunger devil.
   — Kristy

July 29, 2009
I have encountered this where I feel over full but want to eat something. It is not hunger but it is part of the reason we got so heavy to start. We do not know what hunger really feels like. It is more of a craving to eat something solid. You must learn that this is not hunger and not eat when this trigger ocmes up. Right now just eat the liytle bits you can. Try to figure out why you want to eat. See if you can do something else instead to overcome these cravings. They can be very hard to deal with sometimes. Others I can just ignore.
   — trible

July 29, 2009
I had a similiar craving..if you will. I wanted to taste food...so i would take a bite, chew it and spit it out. I did this a few times over a few months. It helped me to get passed the craving. But don't do it often. You don't want to get into a bad habit of chewing and not swallowing..I did it maybe 5 times all together, but it did help in the beginning to get over the craving for certain tastes.
   — gpcmist




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