Question:
Eating More vs. Being Hungry

I notice people posting and stating "they can eat more" once they are X mos. out (usually saying 6-9, etc). I am very curious to hear from long- and medium-term post ops who SPECIFICALLY never got hungry. I am 3 days from being 6 months and I can literally say I never get hungry. I could die from no food and I still wouldn't have any physical or emotional trigger to tell me it's time to eat. For my body, since surgery, it is like putting gas in the car - I do it because I know I need to. IF YOU WERE/ARE LIKE THIS, did it change for you and how/when did it happen. Also, if it did, what types of things made you notice you were changing. I am not looking for a bunch of "enjoy it while you can, honey, cuz you'll get hungry again soon" because I've seen those posts. I am looking for descriptive info so I can plan for the possible. Thanks in advance to all who post back.    — Donya P. (posted on January 27, 2004)

January 27, 2004
I don't know if this will help. My surgery was 7/10 with a bonus surg on 7/14. So I am 6mo and a couple weeks. Oh my appetite has returned - mainly over the holidays. I've adjusted more or less to "how" to eat - not too much - I get in my protein now fairly regularly. If I want something I eat it. Well, that worked until Jan 1. Since Jan 1, I have realized that the honeymoon is over, and honey I gotta watch what I put in my mouth more! I can't say as I get hungry - it is more for me an awareness I need to eat frequently - I try for 3-4 small meals though I often skip breakfast - and snacks. And too many of my snacks are not fruit/veg. My issue. So for me is isn't that I get hungry so much as I know I should eat, and also that problem that got me into trouble - I want to eat. I "want" to eat, now, I think more than I should, since I had so much trouble getting enough in, I got into a "I have to eat more I have to eat more" frame of mind. I'm trying to re-wire that. I'm not where I was when I was 3 months out and couldn't eat and didn't want to. Anyway, hope that helps.
   — Calleigh Q.

January 27, 2004
hi, I will be 2 years post-op next month and I am kind of like the last poster, I eat because I should, but there are times when all I want to do is eat, (I don't let myself get carried away!!!) I often skip breakfast too and I heard that is a big no,no!! but I just can't stand the thought of food early in the morning, I have been trying to eat mainly protein lately because of being tired,, so I do 2 protein drinks daily!!! they also curb my hunger pangs very well too!!
   — bikerchic

January 27, 2004
I don't think I really started getting hungry until about 7 months post op. But, I did notice that I could eat more somewhere around 6-7 months, then, again around 9 months, and again at about 11 months. It's kind of like one day you go to eat your 'normal' amount and you discover that you aren't as 'full' like you had been eating that same thing, so you eat a bit more and discover that overnight your stomach can hold more than it did the day before. It's kind of strange. As far as hunger goes...well, that came and went for a while...but, unfortunately has finally decided to stay. And because I'm actually hungry quite a bit more, it has me thinking about food quite a bit more which, has me eating quite a bit more (or trying not to on a good day). Even though my surgeon's nurse told me that they like to see their patients eating between 1-11/2 cups at one year post op, it's still frightening to be eating that much on a regular basis. It's also harder to lose now and I'm not sure I have the will power to cut back on my own. Well, hope that helps....good luck!
   — eaamc