Gnawing hungar pangs - Shocking difference Post Op!

[LevDev]

Had sleeve surgery late April 2016. Was "poster child" cooperative and worked hard to qualify - even had Dialective Behavior Modification classes. From the very start after surgery my hunger pangs went straight to GNAWING instead of empty tummy growls that increase a little. I have PTSD so the pain is even scary. I've been hovering at 248 for 2 months now because I have a bite of something to curb the pain every hour or so!? What's going on? I told my surgeon and my Dietician, they prescribed an anti-reflux medication but that must not be the problem. I've waited for a change in symptom thinking it was too soon to freak out but now I'm worried about gaining weight back, These hunger pangs are worse than before the surgery. Anyone else have my problem? My dietician is going to kill me.

[Pam G]

I had pain like that before surgery. It went away after surgery, but is starting to come back.

Gastritis.

[meme_mayham]

do the pouch test

[Sandra3]

My reflux was quiet bad until month 7/8 also because I had to take medications that made it worth. I had to take a higher dose of PPI....but at the same time I had to deal with IBS for 20 years and even if it got so much better since the sleeve, I still had a few episodes since surgery.I still can't eat too much salad in one day...
Symptoms are similar to yours (besides the pain, the tummy that gets really puffy suddenly, and most of the time I have to run) ...so it's hard to know where it's coming from: stomach or intestines? for me it was both combined...
Anyway...because I wanted to lower my PPI dosage (the side effect for me is increased nausea) I took multiple things to try to get better. A few worked, I'm not sure which one....
Probiotics (the higher number possible), acid relief with enzyme....clay tablets (not sure you can find it in the US, I found it in France) sometimes several days of coal to stop an episode. Since I take oregano oil capsules several times per year (it's mainly as prevention for my lungs) I also noticed it did improved things on the tummy side....or it was a coincidence??
Acid reflux can be painful, even if you don't feel it going up into your mouth, it can still be damaging things in the GI track....when I had bad reflux, my IBS was also worth.
May be try to work on the reflux and see how it goes. I tried days with only one type of food or two to know where the triggers are..(some things make it worth: some tea, oily things, some carbs, too much spice....still can't stand broccoli or cauliflower ..).
I think eating every hour is not the solution, or at least eat only protein in that case. You will eat less and that won't be damaging your weight loss.
That should also help if it's reflux! good luck!! tummy issues are tricky..

[LevDev]

Thank you Pam, I'm going to read further about Gastritis.

[LevDev]

I'm not sure what the pouch test is. I do know that I can fit a cup of food in, it seems like it vacates the tummy too quickly. Wish I had asked the doctor to cinch up the exit part of my new tummy! Maybe that's not right though.

[LevDev]

Yes, protein is my friend. I cut up a piece of chicken or a small steak and nibble on it all day, I'm frantic that I also turn to sugar, my old friend. Need tricks to help me. Will schedule appointment with counselor too. Thank you!

[Lisa73me]

Oh my gosh, I hope I don't have any of these problems. I feel for you ladies, I hope you get it figured out. Prayers!