Question:
I am 5 days post-op and for some reason, I am getting HUNGRY...

.. full on stomach growling and nauseated feeling. I finaly broke down and had some cream of wheat, that fixed the problem but then made the whole pressure feeling and made it so that I had difficulty eating till the next day. Is this normal? Should I not give into this? Im not supposed to have cream of wheat till week #2.    — TaraLong (posted on August 3, 2003)

August 3, 2003
Are you getting in all your water? Are you sure its physical hunger sensation? If you feel like you need a little more, have something like applesauce that is practically liquid. I would definitely try to not give in to this until at least a whole week or 10 days goes by. I haven't felt hunger since I had my surgery, and of course we are all different, but the chances of you being able to fill the void with protein drinks, water, skim milk, diluted juice, is pretty good so I'd definitely try to stick to it. (I'm postop 9 days)
   — bethybb

August 3, 2003
I know how you fell. I felt the same way. Your insides have been rearranged and your new pouch is still in shock and in the healing process. You don't really know when you're hungry or not. I know I suffered from head hunger and I still do at times. Right now, I would just work at getting my liquid protein in and keeping hydrated. Blue Bunny S/F Popsicles are wonderful! Crystal light is good and Propel drink is very good it has some vitamins and minerals in it. It is made by the makers of Gatorade. I also ate and still eat Blue Bunny Yogurt. 6 oz is 6 grms protein and only 80 calories. Hope this helps. Take care, Barbara Brewer, WLS 5/20/03 278.50 pounds 8/1/03 237.00 pounds
   — babrewer

August 3, 2003
I know how awful it is to feel hungry, but please reconsider your decision to jump the food plan. Your insides are trying very hard to heal. The liquid diet gives you a chance to get started. I'm glad that you chose something very soft, but that uncomfortable feeling you had and the inability to eat the next day are signals from your body that it's not ready for food yet. Please hang in there, and wait awhile longer for food. I have heard others say the chewed on sugar free popsicles at this stage to get the feeling of eating. Maybe that will help. Hang in there, it gets much easier real soon.
   — Vespa R.

August 3, 2003
I've just been promoted to purees, and when on the liquid diet I was lucky not to experience hunger, but I think that eating sugar free, fat free pudding was what helped me feel full. (made with skim, lactaid milk)... my surgeon has a strict diet, but lets us have that and it REALLY filled me up! (It also worked really well to crush my pills in a spoonful of chocolate flavor-it masked the bitterness really well).
   — Kelly B.

August 4, 2003
I know exactly how you feel!! Yes, you are normal. The same thing happened to me. Plus your insides are still healing, so there's all that grummbling as well has the hunger pains and head tricks. Stick with the plan, liquids, popcicles, juice, etc....you'll be having the next stage before you know it. Baby steps, one at a time... Best of luck to you...aims
   — chickiewickie