Hunger? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Trikerman · 05-16-2009, 06:25 AM

Well, I guess this is "Hell Week" since my surgery was last Tuesday. It doesn't seem that bad compared to other weeks in my life that were really hellish. I have had a few very brief episodes of saying to myself, "What the hell did you do to yourself?!". I get the thought that this is PERMANENT and my digestive anatomy is altered forever and I will never be the same me I was. I won't be able to go out for the buffet binges or eat a load of grill burgers and a mountain of fries, etc. Then that passes and I am sure that that is a very good thing for me. I expected mood swings since I just had major surgery and am still taking pain medication(less and less) and one of my core activities is greatly diminished(eating for pleasure).

Anyway, my question is about food portions and hunger. I am to have three meals a day, no more than that, consisting of soft, moist protein foods. I assume you all know what those are. The portion is 1oz. I found yesterday that that amount wasn't satisfying. For example, a whole large egg is enough to fill the one ounce cup one and perhaps 2/3 times. I feel like I can eat the whole thing but I am not supposed to. I am taking the full 30 min to eat. I do not want to feel too full and sick but I haven't really felt any sensation of being full yet. I feel some hunger but how much of that is real hunger and how much "head hunger" I can't tell. My wife cooked some sausages and rice for our daughter and herself for dinner and it smelled good and I found myself a bit taken with the thought of eating a sausage, I really liked good sausages.

The questions are these: Should I be feeling any physical hunger at this point? Is it reasonable to eat somewhat more per meal, perhaps most of the egg, if it doesn't make me feel too full? I am a 6'3" man with a large frame(yes, I know everyone says we are "big boned", LOL, but going by wrist size I am a large frame). Would the pouch be the same as a small woman's and would the amount of food I can consume be the same? I believe they don't want one to get into the habbit of "grazing" so my program stresses only three meals a day. On the other hand, I am to get as much protein supplement, liquid form, as I can in each day between meals. I have tried a number of them and find I like a scrambled egg or some other soft protein food better. Why not more little meals of that?

I know these are questions for the program nutritionist and will email them to her but I have found the experience and knowledge of the folks on this forum to be invaluable. I am worried that I may be able to eat too much and will be hungry all the time. I haven't tested that out yet.

Oh, BTW, the pouch gave me a little lesson on why one must sip. I drank down fluid twice yesterday too fast, an old habit, and my esophagus went into intense spasms. Oh, did that hurt!!!

I think the liquid may have backed up into my esophagus. I am using a sippy cup now!

Thanks for an advice!...TMan

Mz_Desz · 05-16-2009, 07:43 AM

Its all in your head. You are now being force to re-train yourself mentally. The instructions you were given were based on your operation solely. So if the doctors said only 1 oz of protein 3 times a day then thats what your pouch can handle. You do not want to irritate your pouch. You are lucky to be on soft foods coming home. Alot of us was still on a liquid diet for two weeks post ops.

You can ask your doctor if you can add canned veggies/fruits in thier own juice to your diet. I was allowed 2 to 3 tbsps 2 to 3 times a day (mashed or pureed). You can't eat with your protein though.

Also thinned, plain oatmeal, cream of wheat and grits with Splenda.

It will get better. Don't try to over analyze your body type compared to someone esles. That doesn't matter anymore. Its all about the pouch.

Oh an make sure you are getting your fluids in...very important!!

poet_kelly · 05-16-2009, 07:59 AM

Right after my surgery, I was told to eat four to six small meals a day. For the amount you are able to eat, I just don't think three is enough. You might want to talk to your doctor or nutritionist about that. You want to stick with small amounts because eating too much too soon could stretch your pouch and also make you sick.

Kelly

Marella · 05-16-2009, 11:27 AM

My instructions was to have nourishment ever 1/2 hour the first week of something all liquid, like protein shake, and then sip water or Crystal Lite (my choice), all day long.

The second week was 4 oz of something liquidy every hour for 2 hours, followed by an hour concentrating on hydration.

I didn't get to the egg stage for another 2 weeks, but week 3 and 4 were highly pureed soups. Eggs came week 4, and found I could only handle egg substitute back then (eggs are OK with my pouch now).

It's largely "head hunger" that you feel mostly likely due to withdrawal of the way life used to be. If those sausage smells aren't nauseating you, and you WANT the food, move to another room when food is served or you'll drive yourself crazy with wants and can't haves.

I know it's hard but you have to put it in your mind at all times right now, to get yourself through the "hell" part is that "you are eating to live" NOT "living to eat". Focus on that to get you through those rough patches.

Good luck,

Trikerman · 05-16-2009, 03:00 PM

It's like in the old movies when someone became hysterical and the hero slapped them across the face. I have had some of those moments of panic over the major change in my lifestyle. I expected that. I spent yesterday mostly at home. I was tired but bored also. Boredom at home was one of my primary triggers for emotional eating. That is one of the things I will be changing. My prior experiences with various forms of addiction, both personally and professionally, have taught me that there are times in the early stages when one just has to endure impulses until they pass...and they will. The longer one does that, the easier it gets.

A friend took me out for a ride. He asked if there was anything I could have to eat out? I told him that I was told I could have an ounce of steamed shrimp, sans butter or coctail sauce. We went to a place on the Bay where you can sit at a table right on the water. I was able to face away from all the other people and their food. He ordered a half pound of shrimp. Since there were about 16 shrimp, I figured I could have two. I did. I peeled them and used a knife and fork to cut small pieces and took the required 1/2 hour to eat them.

That was very enjoyable. I had something good for me to eat out in a nice atmosphere. I didn't pay attention to other's food. I was satisfied and felt "normal". I think this will work out. Not being so focused on the quantity of food I could get made the dining experience much better.

Thanks All...TMan

Highest/Surgery/Now/Goal
456/358/350/190

Marella · 05-16-2009, 10:21 PM

Yes indeed, getting out is great medicine, even if you eat of someone else's plate, if they don't mind, who cares. That was a great friend!

I ordered soup the first few times out, and eventually a meat loaf dinner (the mashed potatoes HAD to be real). Anyway, going out made me feel normal, and I began to enjoy receiving triple portions and taking home the double portions for lunch the next few days.

Here's to 'feeling' normal!!!