Help please

**kris74** · 01-14-2015 08:04 PM

For the past 2 weeks I have been hungry and my cravings are back and they are strong. I get in my protein and water everyday. At first I though it was head hunger so I would drink water and engage myself in something to take my mind off of it but 20 minutes later I'm still hungry my stomach growls and I get sick. Is it to soon for me to start feeling hungry again? Any advice would be appreciated. I take in between 600-700 calories a day.

**Carak** · 01-14-2015 08:18 PM

Do you have access to a nutritionist? I would suggest to talk to one. At some point for most people 600-700 calories per day is not enough. Especially if you are exercising at all. I really hope you figure it out. Good luck =)

**KarenJean** · 01-14-2015 08:43 PM

I agree with Cara. Maybe you need to eat more now.
Are you eating good lean protein first? Not drinking? (Which flushes out your sleeve)

I just bumped up my calories to 800-900. At my weight, 400-600 was just not enough.

**amt5298** · 01-14-2015 08:56 PM

i am almost three months post op and i was feeling hungry before they switched me to solids at two months i know upping to one cup of food which bumped up my calories to about 800-900 a day really helped me out alot it even sped up my weight loss cause i was not eating enough with the exercise i was putting in i to would recommend you upping your calories you might not be consuming enough to satisfy yourself

**Shandy** · 01-14-2015 08:59 PM

I don't know anyone that has felt like that. My surgeon makes me keep in touch with his dietitian whether it be in person, over the phone or email. I hope you have one. You need to speak to one asap, but don't give in to those cravings. It looks like you have done so well so far. If you don't have a dietitian maybe you should get back in touch with the surgeon and ask him to suggest one.
Good luck

**KarenJean** · 01-14-2015 10:29 PM

Kris, are you drinking crystal light or something else with an artificial sweetener? I know I can't drink that stuff because it triggers crazy carb cravings and hunger in me. I just stick to plain water.

**beulahgirl** · 01-14-2015 10:29 PM

I agree with everyone else's advice. At my three month check up the nutritionist bumped me from 900 calories a day to 1100 and even added, "if your weight loss is really slow, bump up your calories by a couple hundred calories." This has really helped. I am not hungry and I still lose about 2 pounds a week.

**melanie0941** · 01-15-2015 01:23 PM

Minimize carbs... Carbs make me CRAVE food and crave MORE carbs!

**Quarry** · 01-15-2015 04:26 PM

You may find this an interesting read:

Stomach Acid & Hunger

Also look up the symptoms for dyspepsia.

**jane_vsg_ayla** · 01-15-2015 05:16 PM

1) Yes, talk to your team or nutritionist
2) Yes, increase calories. At your weight, you will still lose rapidly anyway, and that is really a low number.
3) Start taking an antacid or reflux med for a few months (for some people, the only symptom is hunger).

**kris74** · 01-15-2015 05:59 PM

Thanks everyone for the advice. my surgeons office has a dietitian I will call her in the morning. I'm not sure what is going on but, I know I'm struggling hard not to give in to this hunger. I only drink water and decaf unsweet tea my carb intake is low. I try to avoid them as much as possible. I'm at a loss as far as what I'm doing wrong. I know my emotions have been all over the place lately, I'm assuming this is also surgery related. I feel like I'm a big failure. I have to get a hold of this because I can't go back to the weight I was.

**jane_vsg_ayla** · 01-15-2015 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by kris74

Thanks everyone for the advice. my surgeons office has a dietitian I will call her in the morning. I'm not sure what is going on but, I know I'm struggling hard not to give in to this hunger. I only drink water and decaf unsweet tea my carb intake is low. I try to avoid them as much as possible. I'm at a loss as far as what I'm doing wrong. I know my emotions have been all over the place lately, I'm assuming this is also surgery related. I feel like I'm a big failure. I have to get a hold of this because I can't go back to the weight I was.

Seriously - take omeprazole or something (or even both cycled) regularly for a few months. Many WLS doctors require you to take them the first few months after surgery. Excess stomach acid in a little stomach can make you think you are hungry. It certainly cannot hurt and for many people it will help a lot with the sensation of hunger. Do a search on this board and you will find lots of people saying the same thing about being hungry and finding out that helped.

But again, you really should be eating more anyway. Increase calories slowly and deliberately each month after surgery.