Question:
Will I still be hungry?

Hi, I ma very new to the site and the topic. I am scheduled for surgery on 7/12/99 and fairly new to the internet in general. my question is about being hungry, which seems to be my biggest problem now. I was told I would not be hungry angain but I read otherwise. What is the scoop about that? Thanks so muhc for the info and help. This is such a big decision and I hope I am making the right onw. I would love to talk with someon who has had the surgery at least a year ago to find out in deatil everything to espect and the success of it. Thanks, Joanne    — Joanne S. (posted on May 18, 1999)

May 18, 1999
Hi! I had a VBG in Oct 1997 so I feel qualified to speak on this topic.:-) You will NOT become ravished..starved...etc...you can become hungry...but just a piece of cheese will stave off the hunger. The MAIN problem isn't the physical hunger...it is the MIND hunger. Yep! Mind hunger means you WANT to eat...but your tummy isn't hungry...be it out of boredom, emotions, or habit. This far down the road I don't have the mind hunger anymore...from about 4months- a year all I could think about was I wanted to eat. I wasn't hungry...just wanted something in my mouth. I still get the munchies...and I still eat to fast. I am aware I do this...and I'm still trying to stop eating by using portion control..you see, I eat so fast that my tummy doesn't know it is full yet. An example of what I can eat is 1/2 regular McDonalds hamburger with about 10 fries. I was still wanting to eat when I finished my portion...but I didn't. About 45 minutes later I was soooo stuffed I knew I should have eaten the fries. Mind hunger is just as bad as real hunger...but you CAN overcome it.
   — Ben R.

May 18, 1999
Hi, I know a lot about this surgery. I have had 2 stomach staplings and a by-pass surgery. Everytime I have a surgery to lose weight I always gain the weight back. I had to have a stomach by-pass hopefully to lose my weight. After my by-pass surgery I ran fevers of 105 degrees and almost died. I was ambulanced to UCLA Medical Center to have my stomach removed because the doctor messed up my stomach. I had to have it removed. Now I have what they call the dumping syndrome where everytime I eat I have to go to the bathroom with dirreia. PLEASE think about this surgery before having it IT IS VERY DANGEREST!!!! I want you to know I have gained all my weight back. THIS IS NOT A QUICK FIX AND IT IS NOT PERMANET!!! THINK TWICE!!! I advice you to go through it only if you are 200 pounds overweight or more. Bye for now.
   — debbie S.

May 18, 1999
The small size of the gastric pouch postop after RNY sx will mean that you get full quickly after eating only a small meal. Additionally, the small bowel bypass of the RNY induces hormonal changes which further inhibit appetite. Most patients do not complain of major cravings for food after WLS. Good luck, Elliot R Goodman MD, www.shedweight.com
   — Elliot G.

May 18, 1999
Hi: I had surgery on April 26th and I must say that the only time I feel hungry is when I leave more than 3 hours go by without eating something. I only eat small amounts but this way of eating has brought by blood sugar under control. an example of a day is: Breakfast, Carnation instant breakfast, or a bowl of oatmeal, or cream of wheat or 1 scrambled egg. 1/2 hr later a cup of coffer or tea lunch: snack pack of cottage cheese or yogurt or a cup of soap 1/2 hr later: a glass of water, tea, snapple (diet) or crystal light afternoon: a few crackers (melted in mouth) or pretzels dinner: cream soup, or mashed potatoes (usually with cheese melted in them) broth, 1/2 hr later something to drink later snack, jello (diet) or pudding or yogurt. some water before bedtime. Hope this helps you. My doctor told me to eat till I was full but to stop as soon as I get full, so I usually do not finish the cup of soup from WaWa or a full can. Proastro RNY 4/26/99 288 5/11/99 260 YEA!
   — Veronica M. B.

May 18, 1999
I don't "get hungry" like I used to with tummy growling and the like. I do know, however, when I have gone too long between meals because my stomach gets very acidy, almost a heartburn feeling. But that is usually only if it has been several hours (like 4 or 5) since I have eaten.
   — dboat

May 18, 1999
well yes you will be hungry, not directly after surgery, but a little later, your acids need to work back into your new stomach for digestion, everyone is different on how their body reacts. I am hungry, but I can only eat only so much , then I am full faster. I had the surgery done 7 weeks ago, and it is great, yes their is times I wish I could eat that big meal, but its not worth it. the change is great and feeling the best I ever felt. Sandra
   — Sandra S.

May 18, 1999
Everyone is different on hunger. I have friends that had this surgery and they get hungry more often but they have had it done more than 6 months. I get hungry now, but I only eat enough to take the edge off, which is very little. If I am hungry in an hour or so I eat a little more. I am very, very satisfied with my weight loss. You still have to tell yourself to eat right and eat only enough to take that edge off. Do not overeat or overfill.....Hope this helps.
   — Rhonda B.

May 19, 1999
I had my surgery in September of 95. Lost 150 lbs. I get hungry now just like everyone else. I only eat less than others. I can eat about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of food at one time but not often and I must eat slowly and chew my food really well. No fast eating for me. I see my hunger now as more of a normal hunger than I had when I weighed about 300 lbs.
   — Peggy W.

May 19, 1999
You can talk to me. I'll be 5 yrs in Oct. I am rarely "hungry". I need FUEL now sometimes. I WANT flavors or textures in my mouth. But I usually don't get the growlies unless I really DO need food. And it was probably 3 years before I felt THAT! In the beginning, by the time you get enough water, high quaity protein and some recreational sugar free stuff in, you are FULL, FULL, FULL. Usually by 5 weeks out, people in our support group wonder how they'll get it ALL in!
   — vitalady

May 21, 1999
There's at least two kinds of hunger.... time for a meal and an emotional hunger. You'll still get both kinds but the good news is that both are a lot more manageable now. In the first couple of months after surgery you're body is going through a lot of changes adjusting and healing and hunger can be rather sporadic. The surgery leaves you with a smaller stomach that fills very quickly and gives you a feeling of satiety. The old emotional eating responses are not bad any more. I find a bite of cheese or a frozen fruit juice pop get me through most crises. In the beginning you may even find it tough to get in all the meals and the nutrition you are required to take in. Hunger and food cravings don't go away but the surgery gives you a much better handle on it and real chance to beat the ole food demons. Good luck Susan [email protected]
   — Susan C.

June 1, 1999
I thought I'd be hungry after my surgery even eating less food. Well, that's not true in my situation. I have to constantly remind myself to eat and It's harder for me to eat 3 meals a day than it was before surgery. Don't worry everything will work out for you. If you are 100lbs overweight or more yes you are making the right decision. I recommend the surgery to anyone struggling with a weight problem. God Bless you and I hope everything goes well.
   — Kristen C.

Click Here to Return