I'm 5 weeks out and I stay hungry

[SharonM]

I am afraid I'm going to stretch my pouch but about every 2 hours I feel like I'm starving. Has anyone else had this problem? I was eating pureed foods the day after surgery. I try to eat plenty of protein and keep my calories less than 1000 but why am I always hungry?

[cincygirl]

Are you taking an acid reducer? If not, try starting one. I take one (rx) twice daily and still need a couple tums sometimes. Also, when you feel hungry drink something and see if it goes away. If it does you were probably thirsty and not hungry.

[cincygirl]

One more thing...how many grams of protein are you getting at each meal? If you're not able to eat very much at each sitting you may have to do several small meals throughout the day until you can consume a little more at one time. As long as you're not eating past the point of full you aren't going to stretch your stomach.

[SharonM]

I keep a bottle of water with me all the time and try to keep sipping on it. Im getting 60 to 80 grams of protein throughout the day. I can only hold 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food at a time. It just seems like I spend all day eating. I have not taken any acid reducer. Maybe that is part of my problem. Thanks for your help!

[jessiejess]

I felt the same way in the beginning. My meal plan my surgeon gave me was to eat something small every two hours while I was on purees. I was on purees until week 7. They still recommend either 3 meals or 6 small meals - 1 every 2 hours. Now, having said that, I found that heartburn mimics hunger. I was so hungry all the time and then I read a post on here just like the one above suggesting Prilosec. I got some that very day and the next day, I wasn't hungry anymore. Only after the "hunger" was gone, did I realize it was heartburn. I took Prilosec for a few weeks and as my pouch healed, the heartburn subsided. I don't have the issue anymore.
I suggest getting some Prilosec.

[Emilia]

I have the same problem always thinking about it. Every time I eat I am stressed out after.
I think it's in my brain only because so I failed so many diets.
Would be nice to know if it's ever happened to anybody to stretch their stomach and how.

[12NVDiva]

I am glad to hear these stories because I have not had my surgery but I can sometimes recognize my heartburn as heartburn and sometimes not and I feel I am constantly hungry now so I can imagine after the surgery. Thank you all for making me cognizant that this can happen...I currently take nexium and it will continue to be close at hand.

[SharonM]

Thanks so much for your help! I will get some prilosec today and see if that helps. Im with you Emilia, I would like to know if any on has stretched their stomach.

[SharonM]

I have never had heartburn or if I did I didnt know it. So I never thought the hungry feeling could be heartburn. have learned something new! Thank you all !

[barrbdoll]

I 2nd the acid reducer/blocker!!

I will be 2 years out this April and I still take one. I just buy the otc generic Priolosec (Omeprazole) and it keep the reflux and heartburn at bay.. I also munch on a few Tums here and there. I only needed the Prilosec once every 2-3 days but I am expecting my first baby (7 months along) and am pretty much taking it daily now due to everything getting pushed up..

But... I will say this though... I find myself eating every 3 hours or so... Have always been that way since my surgery.. Frequent small meals helps with heartburn and increases your metabolism... I lost 140 lbs and hit my goal by my one year anniversary and pretty much maintained it before getting pregnant in July 2013.. I've only gained 19 lbs so far and I'm 7 months along... Not bad at all!!

Best of luck!

[SharonM]

Thanks barrbdoll and Congrats on your success and the baby!

[barrbdoll]

Thanks so much for your help! I will get some prilosec today and see if that helps. Im with you Emilia, I would like to know if any on has stretched their stomach.

regarding the stomach stretching.............

At almost 2 years post-op I STILL get full pretty easily..... I have no dietary restrictions and pretty much eat whatever I want although I try and make the best choices. For example purposes only..... I'm stuffed when eating the following:

Half a wrap sandwich versus a whole wrap with chips AND a soda
Half a salad from Wendy's versus a whole salad AND a side of chicken nuggets/fries
Small bowl (half can) of tomato soup with a handful of croutons versus the whole can of soup and half a bag of croutons AND a grilled cheese!!
About 4-5 bites of a Burrito Bowl from Chipotle and a few chips versus the entire Burrito Bowl and almost a whole bag of chips!!

The full feeling that I had before surgery is the same full feeling that I have now.... It's truly a blessing to be able to still ENJOY food.. just in smaller amounts and still be absolutely satisfied!!

With that said.... If you are a junk food eater pre-op you can easily become a junk-food eater post-op. So, to the fast food junkies and sweets eaters out there... you are forewarned!!

I was lucky though.. I didn't have any food vices when I was heavy... Just loved food and loved to eat! Portion control was my biggest issue! The sleeve solved that issue and still does to this day. I can't say enough about it.. Truly the best decision I have ever made!

Best of Luck!

[barrbdoll]

thanks barrbdoll and congrats on your success and the baby!

thank you!!!!