What is hunger like after surgery? - ThinnerTimes

IpsieDixie · 03-14-2006, 05:54 PM

Dear Post-Ops,

I've been ravenous all my life. I can eat Thanksgiving dinner and feel hungry again 20 minutes later.

So I'm very curious about hunger levels after WLS. What's it like? Do you Post-Ops feel little or no hunger? Or do you feel the same degree of hunger as before the surgery, except it goes away quickly and you feel satisfied after just a few spoonfuls?

I'd appreciate hearing about your experience.

Sincerely,
Dixie, the honorary Prader-Willi

Cinerbelle · 03-14-2006, 06:23 PM

I only had my surgery 11 days ago, but so far I have felt no hunger at all. My head was STARVING days 4, 5 and 6...but I got over that.

veroniquetalk · 03-14-2006, 06:39 PM

Hunger for me is different. I don't get hungry as often and I actually feel satisfied after I eat a little bit - something that never happened for me before.

LisaBoston · 03-14-2006, 06:47 PM

I am 6 weeks post op and have not felt hunger so far. I just started to crave things - and thats ok, cause I can have them in small quantities...(good foods)

Mavisavis · 03-14-2006, 07:30 PM

My first 2 months I dreaded mealtimes.......Oh my word, it CAN'T be time to eat AGAIN!? Then it went to me not minding and my tummy would have sensation, but I didn't know if it was hunger. My hunger kicked in around 3-4 months. Now it feels like a milder version of before, but in the wrong location! I don't feel hunger long or often because by the time I do it's time to eat or drink again anyhow! Drinks with protein, not just supplements, but even dry milk, milk, liquid yogurt, etc. keep me satisfied a decent amount of time.

queenzed · 03-15-2006, 08:40 AM

The only time I feel really hungry is when I first wake up. And it is not like before surgery. Now I get this hollow spacey feeling in my new tummy. I eat a yogart and the feeling goes away. It will even go away if I drink a few ounces of something. I will say that my tummy has not "growled" like it used to either.

CiCi · 03-15-2006, 08:54 AM

In the VERY early stages post-op, let's say for the first two months, there was no real hunger... it was all HEAD hunger, which was very difficult to overcome. I just wanted to eat.

After that, for the next several months, I was not "hungry". No hunger pains at all. No DRIVE to eat. At the most, I sometimes felt empty. Like I needed to fill a pocket... to stay healthy.

I'm almost a year out and the feeling hasn't changed all that much, but I make a more consistent effort to eat three meals a day. Every once in a while, I feel like I am getting closer to the true feeling of hunger, but it is satisfied so easily. Maybe just a tsp of peanut butter or a few pretzels.

When I think back, the change in mindset about food and hunger is totally amazing. I have gone from thinking of nothing besides food to rarely thinking of it, except for nutritional reasons.

forsythia · 03-15-2006, 11:09 AM

I get hungry after surgery. If I forget to eat (which happens a lot as food is not enjoyable anymore) I get sharp aching pains & cramps in my abdomen. They cannot be ignored. I was shopping in the bookstore last weekend and they were so bad I had to leave the stuff I picked out and go get something to eat right then. I thought I was going to pass out.

However, if I'm good and stay on the doctor recommended meal schedule - I never feel hungry at all and have to force myself to eat.

Mercedes · 03-15-2006, 01:23 PM

Hi, I'm only 10 days post RNY, my Consultant only advises us to have fluids for four weeks! I am currently only managing milk, water, tea & strained cuppa soups (packet soup). I can also only manage about 2000mls a day in total & I constantly feel bloated & so full. I am not hungry at all but I do get cravings & have been dreaming about bacon sandwiches!

I miss the texture & taste of real food.

IpsieDixie · 03-15-2006, 04:32 PM

Hi All,

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question. I'm confused about one thing - a couple of people referred to "head hunger." What's that?

Dixie