Question:
After surgery do you still have to fignt the hunger?

I have read numerous posts, it seems that some people really don't have to fight "hunger" post-op even years down the line while others have to fight hunger from the beginning and it never seems to disappear. Please answer, I'm considering surgery but fear if I still get ravenous that I'll not have great success. Thanks    — Krista L. S. (posted on May 20, 2001)

May 19, 2001
Krista, the only time I fight real hunger is when I don't eat properly followed by 4 or more hours without eating. Not really a fight, just my body telling me "Feed Me!" 9 months ago, I would have never forgot about eating, but now I do. Follow the protien and water guidelines and eat every 3-4 hours, and you will never be hungry again! Good Luck and God Bless!
   — Allie B.

May 19, 2001
In the begining I was too sore and drugged to be hungry. I also made sure that I never even to this day 1yr post op, watch food commercials or look at pictures of food. No having said that , I was always hungry prior to surgery and I never knew when I was full. I would stop eating when I couldn't move, that was my full! When I became head hungry, I would eat popcorn slowly , or salad , anything I could have a lot of. But true hunger was something I just never had. Now when I'm hungry I eat until I am full , and when I'm full I KNOW IT , so I can now stop. I was a good patient and followed my doctor's orders to the tee. I think that helped my pouch heal properly and allowed me to recognize true hunger. I hope this helps you.
   — Rose A.

May 20, 2001
Krista, I am 9 weeks postop and I believe I could live on crushed ice and never experience hunger. I crave crushed ice! So as for now, I have never experienced true physical hunger...in fact, it is a hassle to eat because then I can't have my crushed ice for 30 minutes. Carolyn
   — Carolyn G.

May 20, 2001
Nope...never fought hunger. 18 months postop, Open DS.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 20, 2001
Krista, I am a little over 4 weeks post op, and I try to nibble every 2 to 3 hrs. I find that if I wait too long, and let myself get hungry, the less I am able to eat, and the harder it is to get down. I always try to keep crackers or beef jerkey on hand for the occasions when I'm away from home. I could probably go a lot longer without eating, but like I said, it makes it more difficult for me. I know when I am full, and there is no way in the world I could ever eat what I did pre op. The hunger is different... When your full, you stop, and that's that.
   — Kim B.

May 20, 2001
I like the others, rarely feel hungry. But, my doctor stresses only 3 meals a day. So, that is what I do. (Except I have one little snack in the evenings). And, (knock on wood!!!) I rarely EVER feel hungry. That is such a blessing, cause pre op I was, or at least thought I was, hungry all the time. When I do eat, I feel full rather fast, and know I can't eat past that.
   — Karen A.

May 20, 2001
I'm no different I too rarely feel hungry I eat my three meals a day plus two snacks.. If I miss a meal I will nibble a protein bar..But the days of constant eating are gone for me..
   — Victoria B.

May 20, 2001
6 + yrs now and rarely hungry. I usually eat small portions frequently, half a protein bar, and the 4-6 protein drinks a day. I want to keep a tiny pouch as long as possible, so I stay with the small portions. I am a volume eater by nature, so it doesn't work for me to get truly hungry. Grazing undoes us, so the 2-3 hours works best for me. I get sorta hungry, but not RAVENOUS or anything. Since I am doing a drink every few hours, too, I don't get utterly empty, low blood sugar and that helps.
   — vitalady

May 20, 2001
I saw your post, Carolyn, under this section. You might want to mention to your doctor your desire to chew ice. It can sometimes be indicative of an iron deficiency. It was for me.
   — CaseyinLA

May 21, 2001
I had my Lap RNY in July of last year. It is still amazing to me how little hunger I feel. But occasionally I DO get very hungry. The truly amazing thing is that it still only takes 4 to six bites to feel me up AND satisfied, no matter hungry I think I am.
   — Sharyle L.

May 23, 2001
I was supposed to be on a liquid diet for 7 days, but I stayed on it for around 10 days as I was'nt hungry. I guess it's different for everyone, but I would'nt worry about this issue. Good luck!
   — Danmark

May 24, 2001
My personal experience has been that no, I almost never feel PHYSICAL hunger, unless I go too long without eating. Mental, or 'head' hunger is another story- I still find myself thinking I'm hungry late at night or when I'm bored. I have to concentrate on telling myself I'm not REALLY hungry. Some days it can still be difficult - fortunately, even if you do give in to that 'head' hunger, you won't be able to eat very much, and I do try and choose something that's good for me, like a piece of cheese or 1/2 a protein bar,etc. Good luck on getting the surgery!
   — Megan K.

Click Here to Return