Hunger

[Ellyshay]

Hello fellow Sleevers! This is my first post.

My question: Is anyone else hungry a lot? Like, all the time? I'm 15 days post-op and I've been hungry since day 6 or 7. I just started myself on mushy foods yesterday hoping that once I ate things with more substance (rather than the dreaded liquids) I wouldn't be hungry as often. No luck! I get hungry every hour to hour and half. As expected, I can only eat tiny bits at a time, and I listen to my body for signs of fullness and stop. I just didn't expect this! I thought the surgery would bring a surpressed appetite.

Anyone else experiencing this?

[MissDeidre]

I was feeling the same things and I asked my surgeon. He said that I wasn't actually hungry, it was just my body adjusting to the new stomach. But again, as long as I was stopping eating when my body triggered that I was "full", it was fine to eat something to alleviate the discomfort.

Perhaps a little oatmeal, or something else that is "filling" might help? (I can't eat oatmeal and you have NO idea how crazy that makes me ... my new stomach just says "Nuh uh")

[MissDeidre]

I was feeling the same things and I asked my surgeon. He said that I wasn't actually hungry, it was just my body adjusting to the new stomach. But again, as long as I was stopping eating when my body triggered that I was "full", it was fine to eat something to alleviate the discomfort.

Perhaps a little oatmeal, or something else that is "filling" might help? (I can't eat oatmeal and you have NO idea how crazy that makes me ... my new stomach just says "Nuh uh")

[k_jo35]

I have been asking the same question lol , and everyone is telling me the same thing lol. I do feel hungry every hour or so too, and yes it drives me crazy too!! I had my sleeve on march 29 and am on soft pureed foods. But... I do eat things that r not soft, or i wouldn't consider them soft, but they are on my food lists!! So anyway, i do feel if i eat high protein foods, it helps satisfy me a bit longer, but ...not fot long.when i am swallowing my food that i've chewed to mush... I can feel air come up so maybe i have alot of air in my new tummy that keeps making me feel hungry , i dont know ....lol i just had 4 crackers with peanut butter and feel hungry, like i haven't eaten alllllllll day.... If ya find something that helps. Let me know please!!

[Ellyshay]

Kim, I was also sleeved on the 29th of March!!

I'm wondering if my water intake has something to do with being hungry too. I know I'm not getting enough water in. Something to think about and watch, I guess.

[MollyMc]

I feel hungry a lot too. I eat a little yogurt between my meals and that helps. I thought the hunger pangs would stop too. I talked to a lady who said it took about a month after her surgery before the hunger stopped.

[k_jo35]

Since I've been setting the timer on my iPhone for reminders to sip sip sip , I have managed to get in quite a bit more water one bottle shy of 64 oz and 14 oz shy if my protein( all from food and milk!! Oh and 1scoop if beneprotein!!! Yeah that makes me happy . My lips are no longer dry from dehydration!! Woot woot!! Lol but ya everything else is hard ( eating that is) keep in touch if u have yah mess u can add me my name is the same in there k_jo35 at yah

[leilani]

I actually just started getting hungry a few days ago, at about 4 weeks. I find myself hungry about 2 hours after I eat so I eat something. I can only eat about 3 or 4 bites then I am uncomfortable and start the whole process again. It's annoying and when I'm hungry I feel like I want to head to the nearest buffet!

But, I'm losing weight and have no regrets. Just hoping the hunger goes away.

[sol]

I'm 2 mos. post-op. Last night I had never felt SO hungry since surgery!!!
I wolfed a yogart down and felt better.
This morning I have a severe craving for pico de gallo. I've had half of my shake and a hand full of almonds and I still want the tasty salsa.
2 hours can't come quick enough (lunch time) .....

[sherrimarina]

I was sleeved on 3/24 and I am experiencing the same feelings! I am hungry about every hour so i just sip on protein shakes/drinks all the time, that helps curb the hunger and helps me get my protein/fluids in. I try to eat a "meal"(it is only about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of food) about every 2-3 hours.
Sherri

[kitsonk]

Wow, it is amazing how we all take different journeys. I had a little bit of food around noon. It is now 19:20 and I feel a little bit hungry, but nothing that bothers me, only when I think about it. Over the past two months I only remember becoming distractingly hungry like one or twice and then, when I had a bit or two in me of anything the hunger went away.

I would say my hunger, overall has been reduced by 90%.

My personal opinion is that we must perceive hunger different ways, for me, it must have been directly related to the production of ghrelin and the distribution of nutrients into my lower intestine, because I am pretty much a textbook case of post surgery benefit with the sleeve.

I know people saying "you aren't really hungry" doesn't really make the hunger go away, it may help to think that the hunger you are feeling is actually a lie in one way or another, because the "normal" mechanism that is supposed to make you feel hungry has had 75% of it removed.

[gretchdb]

So disillusioned...I too get that so very hungry feeling and can hold way more than I expected. Talked to doc about the size of what he did and it just doesn't seem like it is as small as he says so I know it's just a tool and i can't go on a binge even closed to what i used to.......but scared about the fact i can fit more than I want to.

[accordingtome]

I eat on a schedule, every two hours. I no longer feel hungry as long as I stay on that schedule. I was eating every three hours, but did feel hungry, so I changed it. I also measure my food!

[argibson76]

I'm in the same boat! I thought that after surgery I wouldn't care about food at all but that's just not happening!! I am almost 4 weeks out. I was sleeved on the 11th of April so I am still on soft foods. I complained to my Dr. about always being hungry or "empty". I can't stand that empty feeling. I was told to eat 3 meals w/ a protein shake in between each for a total of 3 protein shakes a day. It's helped a little but I still find myself taking bites of cottage cheese here and there to get through to the next meal or shake. Something else I do is "chew & spit". I know it sounds gross but it helps me a lot!! I take a bite of food that i'm not supposed to have yet. Chew it really well and get the taste that I want and then spit it out before swallowing so that it doesn't do any damage or add calories. It satisfies to just have a taste of something that I am really craving and helps me feel less hungry or empty. Good luck. You're not alone!!

[kitsonk]

I can't stand that empty feeling.

I think you hit the nail on the head, it is an empty feeling, which is not hunger. I am lucky that the hunger that drove me overeat wasn't the empty feeling, but gnawing hunger that is more mild now and goes away after I get a bite or two into me. I feel the empty feeling and it was weird, but I got used to it. In fact, I feel lighter and more free with an empty stomach than always feeling a bit weighed down.

Also, I think you are feeling too guilty, which will only drive you mad and make you focus inappropriately on food. I think as long as you are surrounding yourself with the right type of foods, for most people, the sleeve will take care of itself. Don't feel guilty. If you eat something you feel you shouldn't have, accept that and make a better decision next time.