What's wrong with me? I'm hungry!?

[Gilliank]

I feel like something is wrong with me and I'm doomed to fail at this. I just had my sleeve surgery on 9/19 and I'm managing well with little pain but I keep finding myself hungry. I spoke to my nutritionist and explained that I don't know how to get all my fluids, proteins, meds, etc in every day and her advice was to not worry about eating puréed food just have fluids and some protein drinks. But I'm hungry. I thought this surgery would help curb my hunger & I read that everyone else is not hungry so I'm petrified. Any words of wisdom?

[GELDED]

Get your 64 ounces of water daily. And as the nut said drink your protein shakes. It'll work, need to prioritize. BOL

[katlike]

I was sleeved on 9/9 and have had times where I felt the same way. I think it's head hunger. It is getting better but I miss
tasty and crunchy food. Like I said, it's getting better but I sure do miss things like pizza!

[steaph214]

You are probably experiencing the acid. Its not actual hunger but the acid. Ask you doctor about taking an acid blocker daily. Most of us with the sleeve take an acid reducer daily. Once its in your system, the hunger feeling goes away. Good luck

[Gilliank]

Yes! Steph214- I am feeling the acid in my throat. It's terribly uncomfortable. They prescribed me nexium in the hospital but my ins wouldn't cover it and it costed $65 so I passed on it. But somehow I need an acid blocker that won't break the bank.

[steaph214]

ok. Try omeprazole. I get mine from CVS and it is the same active ingredients as the other name brands but a lot less. It works great. I promise you will feel better after this gets in your system. I have heard that we will have to take acid reducers for a long time so it is worth it to get the off brand. Its cheaper and does the same thing. Good luck

[Whirleygirl]

This soon in, it might not be hunger pain, but just pain? I've only had my surgery for 4 weeks, but I've had a similar pain. I try and drink a dixie cup size of one my Proti drinks. Every hour. Set your timer....call your Dr's office if you are still having pain. Good luck!

[Ann2]

Two things:

1. Stomach acid - what people said above. My doc switched me from Ranitidine (pre-op) to Protonix (post-op). Made a world of difference.

2. Liquid diets do NOT fill you up. You won't feel much if any restriction until you're eating purees and soft foods. (The liquids move through the tummy pretty fast.) Do not despair -- you did not receive a defective VSG tummy.

One more thing ... relax. Smile. Walk. Breathe deeply, in and out. You're just a little stressed (understandably), having been what you've been through. Take one day at a time. It's going to be OK.

[Gilliank]

Thank you all! I started omeprezole today. I'll keep you posted about how today goes. I'm hoping this helps. I may also try to spread splitting a protein drink up throughout the day instead of all at once as Whirleygirl suggested. You've all been so helpful. I'm so grateful.

[BabyDoll]

Before my husband had his surgery, he thought he was always hungry. I used to say that there is no way he's hungry as he'd just ate. Turns out (and he now recognizes) that what he thought was hunger, was simply his stomach digesting his food. My point, perhaps you are interpreting digestion (or rumbling of the tummy) for hunger or as some call it, head hunger.

[Zondrarae]

The hunger is normal. Its interesting to me that the nutritionist are always supporting the program as written. We are all unique and you can only do what you can do. It is a good thing if you can get all of the proteins, fluids and meds in everyday but don't force yourself to. You will figure out quite quickly how much your body is going to tolerate. We all have some sort of eating issue which got us to this place. I did not choose to live by the program rules and I am very successful to date. Yes if you need meds take them 1st, protein is good but sometime difficult to process with new body functions, to me fluids are the most important thing to get in your body. Yes your going to be hungry but find something else to occupy your thoughts exercise comes to mind. When I say exercise I do not mean at the gym or class. Start by moving, walking and walking more...... Final thought....I keep feeling like I am going to wake up and be fat again. But everyday I look in the mirror and see the new thinner, smaller happier me that will not allow her self to believe otherwise. There is no gloom or doom unless you allow it. Just get through each day, one at a time. Listen to your body and you will find the hunger pains will subside with time.