Question:
Why am I feeling hungry all the time?

I'm am having severe problems with feeling very, very hungry all the time. I am five days post op, doing the instructed amount of liquid, but just remain very hungry. Am I doing something wrong, is it ok to start the protein drink early, just 1 or 2 oz. at a time?    — Sheri M. (posted on May 17, 2003)

May 17, 2003
Hi Sheri, I will be interested in the answers to your question. I am about 12 days post op and have been feeling VERY hungry since the beginning. The small amounts of food dont seem to fill me up at all...and I can't tolerate the protein drinks.
   — Bonnie R.

May 17, 2003
hI THERE I AM 5 DAYS POST OP TOO! AND TODAY I BATTLED WITH HUNGER. I FEEL WORRIED LIKE SOMETHING IS WRONG. BUT IT'S NOT HUNGER THE WAY IT USED TO HAVE BEEN. I TRIED TO GET MY HEAD TO THINK OF OTHER THINGS. I GOT ON THE COMPUTER A DRANK A FEW SIPS OF WATER, AND TRIED TO OCCUPY MY TIME. BUT I FIRST WANTED TO THINK SOMETHING IS WRONG.
   — christina L.

May 17, 2003
My hunger did not go away for a few weeks. I had read on this board about people not being hungry and because I felt famished (physically and painfully hungry) the first 3 or 4 weeks, I was convinced I was a failure. Then it started to subside and now I have those days where I forget to eat and hunger really isn't a problem most days. Hang in there, it will get better!
   — susanje

May 17, 2003
This is understandable, afterall think about what you have truly eaten the pas week? liquids mainly, right? They don't stay in the pouch very long at all- pretty much go right through. So don't worry about that. I'm sure you've heard about the "honeymoon period" of WLS. You literally have to force yourself to eat b/c yoou're not hungry, and you lose the most weight. This usually takes some time to kick in, and lasts till about 6 months. Unfortunately, many people are under the assumption that WLS kills your cravings for food and appetite- but not true- only for a short while. So for most of us longer post-ops, we have an appetite again. The plus side- still isn't as tremendous a hunger as it was before, and still eat smaller portions. You may also want to try to distinguish between head hunger and real hunger, some of it is simply missing eating. Takes getting used to. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

May 17, 2003
When i was frist out and only allowedthe clear liquid stage i got hungary sometimes i found out it was cause i was sipping broth to fast when i lowed down it helped i would sip about a halfcan broth at a time plus some jello and a popcicle and was able to get the full feeling with this
   — wildbrat

May 17, 2003
Sheri, I am 3 weeks lap RNY post-op and have been suffering with the same problem of severe hunger pains. First, I should point out that these severe hunger pains started in early August 2002 (long before my WLS in April 2003). I brought it to the attention of my PCP, and she thought the pains indicated a certain type of ulcer. She ordered an endoscopy, but no ulcers showed up. So, she ordered a gallbladder ultrasound which detected many gallstones and a diseased gallbladder. When my lap RNY was performed, the surgeon also removed the gallbladder. I was soooo hopeful that the severe hunger pains would not return, but they were back stronger than ever the day after surgery! I was upset, because in the past the hunger pains would only subside for a short time after eating, and that is one reason why I piled on many pounds rather quickly. I DON'T want this to happen again, as the WLS will have been for nothing! My lap RNY surgeon said I should not be feeling any hunger pains, and had no explanation for it. He wants to refer me to a gastroenterologist. Somedays the hunger pains are bearable and I can pretty much ignore them. On other days, however, the pains are bad enough to make me feel sick or double over. I was sooooo hungry a few days after sugery that I just couldn't take it anymore, so I began to eat foods not yet permitted by the doctor. Ironically, my stomach felt better as far as being more food-satisfied, but the hunger sensation remained, even after I felt full. That is when I realized that it may not be HUNGER PAINS that I'm actually feeling, but some sensation that my brain interprets as hunger pains. So, I pretty much have hunger pains all the time, even after eating. It is so frustrating and I wonder what is wrong with me, especially since many posters claim that they hardly have an appetite and must remind themselves to eat! I know my response isn't really helping you find a solution, but I felt the need to respond with my experience because I can identify with your situation. Good luck to you, and feel free to email me personally if the situation continues--perhaps we can compare notes.
   — carsim

May 17, 2003
Hi Sheri. I feel your pain b/c I was the same way a few weeks ago. Days 4-6 after the surgery were THE WORST! You're home from the hospital so no more I.V. but you're still not ingesting any nutrients since you're on clear liquids. I was miserable, crying, dizzy, weak, etc. It was so bad I actually called my surgeon. He told me it's normal and to hang in there. Keep drinking your water. I know that all the sugar-free stuff made me gag b/c it was too nasty sweet so I stuck w/ water. On the 7th day I was allowed to start my protein shakes and then I improved dramatically. I started to feel normal again. If you truly think you can't make it, call your surgeon and see if you can start a little early w/ the protein shakes. Good luck and just know that what you are feeling is completely normal . . . and that it does get better.
   — snohflake

May 17, 2003
What are you eating/drinking now? Milk? Juice? Sugars will make you hungrier than you woulda been, just so you know. We start protein drinks on Day 5,6,7. But they're not made with milk or juice, so no additional sugars to fan those hunger flames.
   — vitalady