Physical and mental hunger occurring and 1 month out! advice pls

[Kirby]

Hi guys,
I've put this on my journey page but struggling at the moment. Life is all over the place with moving houses (my stuff is between 4 houses) and finishing university then moving on to be a doctor soon! Lots of stress. I'm about 5 weeks post-op.
Two problems:
1)I'm getting a lot of mental hunger and by that I mean the drive is in my mind to tell me 'oh you haven't eaten in a while and there's space you should go eat'. I can't eat much but I want to address these thoughts and compulsions now when I know I have restriction on it. I know it's not mind surgery but I wasn't having this the past month and scared about having to confront this all now. Any particular advice that helped you? Unsurprisingly this isn't really a problem when I'm busy.. guess I just want reassurance.
2) I'm getting physical hunger about twice a day. It resolves with a bite of food or a bit of water. It's a very strong hunger from my stomach definitely. Am I the only one who has this and so soon?

Oh and an added:
3) I'm so constipated. I usually was but my usual variety of laxatives has not been helping at all.

I think I know what i need to do but just need to vent and know that i'm not the only one dealing with this?!

Blergh

[Ann2]

Are you able to / planning to see a therapist about your past / current / future issues with how you use food?

I couldn't recommend more strongly that you figure out a way to do this, if at all possible.

Very few people become obese without having developed disordered eating -- issues they'll need to address in order to successfully change their lifestyle permanently.

Wish it weren't true. But ....

[Kirby]

Are you able to / planning to see a therapist about your past / current / future issues with how you use food?

I couldn't recommend more strongly that you figure out a way to do this, if at all possible.

Very few people become obese without having developed disordered eating -- issues they'll need to address in order to successfully change their lifestyle permanently.

Wish it weren't true. But ....

I did many years ago but you're right. I'll find some space to be able to have an outlet like that!

[EllisM80]

You definitely are not the only one. I experienced this as well. I've found out that if I drink more water, that hunger feeling goes away. I only do that if I know it's not time for a meal. I also go to counseling because I don't want my food addiction problems to cause me to gain back everything that I've lost. I also had to change the kind of stool softener products I used. Before I used Walmart brand stool softeners but now I use the chocolate laxatives. They dissolve quicker than the gel capsules do. Hope this helps.

[KiwiGal]

"Oh and an added:
3) I'm so constipated. I usually was but my usual variety of laxatives has not been helping at all."

I still (20 months out) have an issue with constipation.....even though my veggie intake has increased and I am eating a bit more.
The first laxative that I was prescribed was a liquid and was just revolting!
I am now on a powder (Molaxole) which I mix with some diluted juice. I am able to use it every day if I need to and probably take it most days or at least every other day. It's not much fun not being able to go!
My surgeon said to expect a bowel motion every second day.

[Sandra3]

Hi guys,
I've put this on my journey page but struggling at the moment. Life is all over the place with moving houses (my stuff is between 4 houses) and finishing university then moving on to be a doctor soon! Lots of stress. I'm about 5 weeks post-op.
Two problems:
1)I'm getting a lot of mental hunger and by that I mean the drive is in my mind to tell me 'oh you haven't eaten in a while and there's space you should go eat'. I can't eat much but I want to address these thoughts and compulsions now when I know I have restriction on it. I know it's not mind surgery but I wasn't having this the past month and scared about having to confront this all now. Any particular advice that helped you? Unsurprisingly this isn't really a problem when I'm busy.. guess I just want reassurance.
2) I'm getting physical hunger about twice a day. It resolves with a bite of food or a bit of water. It's a very strong hunger from my stomach definitely. Am I the only one who has this and so soon?

Oh and an added:
3) I'm so constipated. I usually was but my usual variety of laxatives has not been helping at all.

I think I know what i need to do but just need to vent and know that i'm not the only one dealing with this?!

Blergh

Most surgeon prescribe a PPI to their patients post-op for a minimum of one month, it's to decrease reflux. Reflux does mimic hunger. So treating reflux (if you have it) could help, also post-sleeve, I was really sensitive to stress, and my reflux would get worth during stressing weeks.

But the sleeve will not erase hunger completely anyway. It is normal to be hungry at times. I noticed the first year I was hungry once or twice per day, and with a small quantity of food was satisfied for hours. Of course protein first, always.

Each year you'll eat a little more, it's normal, the stomach will relax. You go from 1/2 cup per meal the first year to like 1/3 plate the third year. That's why it's important to always be on your toes and have a nutritious and healthy diet.

Constipation is one of the side effect of the sleeve, it is well known. Lucky me, since I had IBS D, I'm not plagued with diarrhea any longer since the sleeve (sorry TMI).
But after 20 years of misery, I was even happy when during the first week I could notice a bit of constipation! Sena tea and prunes worked wonder!
It took a few weeks to get stabilized, after that, it was all fine.
One important thing is too keep well hydrated, water is the best way to fight constipation. Also after the sleeve, hunger and thirst are giving confusing signals, but better safe than sorry, try to drink enough it will help on many levels.

Take care!

[EllisM80]

I forgot about having to take a ppi. And Sandra's right... it does mimic hunger

[sraebaer]

I was never hungry in the beginning but we are all different. I did have issues with constipation, but my nut did say "less in, less out." They recommended Mirolax. Don't expect a miracle cure, it took a while.

[WANAGL]

Outside help (therapy) is very useful to get down to causes and conditions.

Early on I can remember confusing hunger with thirst. It was always thirst I was experiencing. I knew that because I was following directions to a tee.

Constipation seems to be the rule rather than the exception with the sleeve. I don’t panic about it anymore. I’ve discovered that the more active I am the more regular I am.

Have fun with your new “digs” and congrats on your career journey ;-)

[Kirby]

@EllisM80 PHEW I was becoming worried the surgery had failed and I would fail yadda yadda.

Seems like I'm going to need to explore a wider variety of laxatives!
I'm on lansoprazole 30mg but I have been getting a sore throat in the morning and a metallic-y taste so I'll up my dose and see if that helps!

@sandra3 It's never TMI on this website! Perks of this community

I suppose a lot of this is just getting used to my new way of life!

Thanks a lot for your support and advice guys, really appreciate it <3

[Sandra3]

@EllisM80 PHEW I was becoming worried the surgery had failed and I would fail yadda yadda.

Seems like I'm going to need to explore a wider variety of laxatives!
I'm on lansoprazole 30mg but I have been getting a sore throat in the morning and a metallic-y taste so I'll up my dose and see if that helps!

@sandra3 It's never TMI on this website! Perks of this community

I suppose a lot of this is just getting used to my new way of life!

Thanks a lot for your support and advice guys, really appreciate it <3

Sore throat is a symptom of silent reflux. Also swollen lymph nodes in the neck, around the jugular also.

Before taking more meds (you should see a doctor before taking more actually) you could try to stop eating 3 hours, drinking one hour before bed time, sleep on an incline. That could help a lot.

After, you could try to get a new PPI. I took lanzoprasole 30mg for a while, and lately when it got really bad when I had other issues (asthma got out of control and pressure gave me a hiatal hernia) then switched for esomeprazole 40mg and felt it worked better, lanzoprasole made me nauseous, esomaprazole doesn't. I was told by one of my new surgeon I could go up to 80mg, with the hernia reflux got much worth.
But a low acid diet is also important and avoid stress is crucial for me.

I'm currently taking naturopathy classes (after two years in nutrition a while back) and I was discussing symptoms with one of my friend who's my "test subject". I'm not planning on treating patients because I already have a day job, but need real patients to write my thesis if it makes sens. So a few friends are collaborating!
Anyway, my youngest stopped by to say hello to my friend and heard the last "diarrhea comment", rolled her eyes, really offended and said " of my gosh!! not again!!"....see where I'm coming from

About being scared of failing : I was the same, like many in here, after so many diets that didn't work...and life does get things difficult sometimes.
But restriction is a huge help, with the proper nutrition you will be successful! believe in yourself, try to be positive, it's a big help in this process.

Take care

[EllisM80]

@EllisM80 PHEW I was becoming worried the surgery had failed and I would fail yadda yadda.

Seems like I'm going to need to explore a wider variety of laxatives!
I'm on lansoprazole 30mg but I have been getting a sore throat in the morning and a metallic-y taste so I'll up my dose and see if that helps!

@sandra3 It's never TMI on this website! Perks of this community

I suppose a lot of this is just getting used to my new way of life!

Thanks a lot for your support and advice guys, really appreciate it <3

I wouldn't up my dose if I were you until after talking to the doctor. That metallic taste could be what most people refer to as "keto breath". Depending on what you are able to consume... if you are staying under 20 carbs a day, then it definitely changes your breath and your taste buds. That will go away as you bring in more foods.