Question:
Survey... Please tell us if you have a lot of post-op hunger and your preop diet
I was thinking about the research done on Gherlin (appetite hormone) and post-ops that showed that those on restrictive diets had a 24% increase in their Gherlin levels vs the WLS group that had a 70% decrease. Now I was thinking if there was a correlation between those put on a restrictive diet vs those who do last suppers. I'm thinking that those who are put on restrictive diets had an increase in Gherlin which relates to increased hunger immediate post-op while those who ate whatever they wanted didn't elevate their Gherlin levels and thus had reduced hunger immediate post ops. Please share your experience... 1) Where you very hungery post-op? 2) Did you do the last supper or some sort of restrictive diet? — John T. (posted on February 11, 2003)
February 11, 2003
INTERESTING! I did the last supper thing and YES, was very hungry in my 3
week liquid phase.
— ZZ S.
February 11, 2003
I did not alter my eating habits at all just before my surgery. I did not
cut back and I did not do the 'last supper'. I had HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE head
hunger post op. I definitely went through withdrawal. I considered my 5
days in the hospital with NOTHING for four of them and only water the fifth
a 'detox' period. By the time I was released from the hospital I was
allowed CLEAR liquids ONLY. I was physically okay with this, but my head
wanted pizza and Chinese food and steak and sandwiches and salads. I was
miserable for about three weeks. It has all subsided. (Open RNY 10/30/02
-102 lbs)
— Ginger M.
February 11, 2003
I really didn't alter my diet at all before surgery. I didn't last supper
or restrict my diet. I was okay post-op. I had some head hunger but got
through it. And now 3 months post-op I have my hungry days but normally I
have to remind myself to eat. **kelly
— Kelly T.
February 11, 2003
I literally did not feel hunger until 5 months post-op. I had to lose 10%
of my weight before surgery (required by Kaiser) so I was on a pretty
restrictive diet for 3 months prior to surgery (lost 15 lbs). So my
situation does not fit your theory.
— [Deactivated Member]
February 11, 2003
I had basically what I wanted before the surgery, but nothing way out of
the ordinary, if that is what Last supper refers to, but I definitely did
not restrict myself. Post op I had no hunger at all and was very surprised
at how fool I was all the time. Around three months I got some head hunger
but after a bite was able to satisfy it. At almost six months I know find
myself, not hungry really but suffering from the head hunger thing and with
the larger stomach don't feel able to satisfy it quickly, so I feel like I
am dieting again.
— Carrie R.
February 11, 2003
I lost my required 10 lbs before surgery. My surgery was Oct. 30. I have
not been hungry since Oct 29. At least not genuine hunger. Occasionally I
will have "head hunger". I usually satisfy it by having a small
cookie, called a tea biscuit, it has only 15 calories and satisfies that
carbo craving.
— Kathy H.
February 11, 2003
I wasn't physically hungry post-op, but mentally I craved food. I didn't do
a last supper or a restrictive diet pre-op, although I would have, my
surgery was just moved up unexpectedly.
— LionGirl2k
February 11, 2003
1. not hungry, because I was always fairly regimented. volume eater, not
grazer. BUT occasional bouts with low blood sugar. 2. did last suppers,
several of them. 3. experienced very little hunger post-op. rarely do even
today (8+ yrs)
— vitalady
February 11, 2003
My case doesn't fit your theory either. I was on a clear liquid diet w/
protein shakes 2 weeks prior to surgery and have had NO hunger since I woke
up from surgery one month ago. Thats not to say I wasn't hungry before
surgery during that liquid phase because I was even dreaming about food at
that point!
— thumpiez
February 11, 2003
I did the last supper thing right before I had my surgery. I tried to eat a
little of all my favorite "bad" foods. I was not restricted in
any way. I had surgery 7 months ago and honestly, I did not feel hunger at
all for the first six months. A few days after my six month check up I was
sitting and my desk and felt this strange grumbling sensation in my
stomach. I realized that it was the first time in months that I had felt
even the slightest degree of true hunger (as opposed to head hunger). I
still do not get hungry on a regular basis. I only get that feeling of
hunger on occassion. I don't know that I believe there is a direct
correlation between pre-op diet and post-op Gherlin levels, though. The
thing is, although there are many of us who aren't hungry directly after
sugery, there is a huge range in how long it takes hunger to return. I
didn't experience hunger for over six months. Some people wake up with no
hunger, but it returns in the early weeks or months following surgery.
Interesting thoery.
— Jenny S.
February 11, 2003
Hello, Im 3 1/2 months out, had the last supper syndrome, and have not lost
my hunger at all. Of course it was worse at first, and I still cant eat
much, but I do have a very healthy appetite (dammit) and am still waiting
for the phase where people say they have to make themselves eat.
— Marilayne M.
February 11, 2003
I was not on a restrictive diet before surgery at all. I spent the last
month or so having a bit of all my favorite foods. Then was on a liquid
diet two days before surgery. I was not hungry at all after surgery. To
tell the truth, I am eleven months post op, and very seldom do I ever
really feel hungry. I get grumbly and gurgly inside when I need to eat, but
no real hunger pains.
— MnShadows
February 12, 2003
I put myself on a restricted, high protein diet for 4 months before surgery
(and lost a whopping 16 lbs). I had absolutely no hunger post-op and still,
at 4 months PO, have no appetite.
— JoAnn B.
February 12, 2003
I was not restricted pre-op and found hunger/head hunger very difficult for
awhile after surgery.
— mom2jtx3
February 12, 2003
I did not do a restrictive diet or extensive "last suppering" but
I did lose 15 pounds thru exercise and cutting back on sugar (mainly sodas)
and increasing protein. I did not have any physical hunger for about 4 1/2
months, but I did mentally crave foods while I was on liquids. That went
away when I could have "real food" again. I do get
"hungry" if I wait too long to eat but it is more a knowledge
that I need to eat something than true "hunger pangs" like I used
to get before surgery. As a matter of fact, I remember the way I felt on
the morning of surgery--I was SOOOOOOO hungry and I had only been fasting
since midnight. I have never felt like that since.
— ctyst
February 12, 2003
1) I have been moderately hungry post-op. I started off not hungry at all
but felt "real" hunger by about month two. Not enough to slow
down my weight loss. Got pregnant at month five and have been a HUNGRY
HUNGRY HIPPO ever since ;). 2) I had about 20 "last" meals and
did not restrict my diet AT ALL pre-op.
— mandajuice
February 12, 2003
John, I hope you compile all the answers and see if there is any
correlation.
I did do the last supper routine and no, I was not hungry post-op.
— Cindy R.
February 12, 2003
Very interesting correlation! I did the Last supper thing (and actually
lost a few lbs before surgery) and was head hungry post-op. But I don't
think my stomach was actually hungry. i was just recooperating and watching
alot of food commercials.
— Lezlie Y.
February 12, 2003
I did the last supper two nights before my surgery. I was cutting back on
food mainly because I was becoming more aware of what I was eating. I had
no hunger nor a desire to eat for the first couple weeks. Since then, I
occasionally feel hungry (mostly after 4pm). I still have head hunger and
act a bit weird when I do. I stop and very carefully concentrate on my
stomach. If it is real hunger, I will start planning on having a meal. If
not, I just move along.
— Chris P.
February 12, 2003
Well... I'm not a scientist... I did take a graduate course in data
analysis but can't remember a darn thing about Z-tests and T-squares and
other statistical doo-dads. So I'll leave the correlation find to someone
else. Keep the comments comming and I'm sure someone will make use of it!
<p>Here are some interesting links.. the first is about the study I
spoke about in the question. The second is a good webcast explaining
ghrelin - make sure you look for the December webcast.
<p>
<a href= http://depts.washington.edu/mednews/vol6/no21/ghrelin.html
></a>
http://depts.washington.edu/mednews/vol6/no21/ghrelin.html
http://www.upmc.edu/obesitysurgery/monthlySupportGroup.htm
<p>Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
— John T.
February 12, 2003
I had a "last meal" two nights before my surgery. I had no head
hunger, and at almost 6 months out do not get hungry and do not have an
appetite (thank goodness!).
— Lee G.
Click Here to Return