Feel like I need some food? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

justawoman · 11-18-2005, 10:12 AM

Hi Guys,

Need some advice here..I am only post op since Monday and I have researched and read and read about the after surgery effects...I know most of you said you were not hungry after surgery I sure feel hungry. Maybe it is the "mind hunger" or whatever it is called. I eat a little bit and I get full but I am also wondering if you all stuck to diet exactly after surgery. My surgeon said 7 days on clear liquid, then I can move to full liquid for another 10 days then soft foods after that. I think I am just tired of SF Jello,SF popsicles and broth. Got any suggestions? Would it hurt to try a soft food item? Any suggestions would help me out greatly. I have lost 10lbs already since surgery which is nice to see...Sure makes me proud just looking for something to satisfy myself...LOL

Realtor Linda · 11-18-2005, 10:17 AM

Our advise will always be Follow your Dr's advice. You can get through the 7 days, yes it is sucky, but well worth it. Don't push the limits too early on. Next week you can do your soft food, cream soups, etc....be careful with your new self. You just had major surgery! hee hee
I am not trying to be a bad guy, but do your best to follow your Dr's orders and I guarantee you will be happy you did.

ps....what part of Wisconsin are you from? I grew up in Cedarburg!

Dara · 11-18-2005, 10:40 AM

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I personally encourage you to follow your surgeon's guidelines to a tee. If you can envision your insides, you have fresh, raw incisions everywhere...your new pouch, your old stomach, your intestinal tract. I believe that irritating those fresh wounds by introducing something too soon could make life very miserable for you, even dangerous. There are reasons why good surgeons provide you with guidelines, reasons such as good health, safety, and smooth recovery. You have the rest of your life to test foods.

Now about your hunger. I think that longer-term post-ops will assure you that you are not experiencing normal hunger. The most common "hunger" early post-operatively is in your HEAD. You've been used to eating regularly all your life. It's a habit, a routine. You miss food. You convince yourself that the rumblings in your insides is hunger. It's not. You will have weird rumblings, bubbles, all kinds of stuff in your new pouch, your old stomach and your intestinal tract for a while after surgery. It's your body getting rid of air, gas and producing other things inside. It feels just like hunger, but it's not. This is a good time to self-evaluate and be strong. You will soon realize you're not really hungry. In fact, your hunger doesn't return for months.

People will tell you otherwise, but it's not logical. When you think about your replumbing, it doesn't make sense that your body would return to normal so quickly.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

DEE145 · 11-18-2005, 10:51 AM

Well I'll put my 2 cents in. 1) Yes do agree follow your doctor's instructions, however while I was not immediately hungry post-op, I did feel the need for something besides broth by my 5th day. I nibbled (not necessarily for any or everyone) on crisp turkey bacon and a cracker w/peanut butter. These little things got me through. I can't say I advise anyone else to do this, but I basically listened to my body and it allowed me to eat small things like that. But I wasn't suppose to, so felt quilty and went back to what my doctor said I should be consuming which was pureed foods. I haven't been able to do too much broth or soup anymore, but I do eat LF yogert and jello now. The first 3 -4 weeks have got to be the hardest.

Be strong it really does get better.

Dee// 5'7"
246/238/217/145
Pre OP/Post OP/Current/Goal

Dara · 11-18-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEE145

Well I'll put my 2 cents in. 1) Yes do agree follow your doctor's instructions, however while I was not immediately hungry post-op, I did feel the need for something besides broth by my 5th day. I nibbled (not necessarily for any or everyone) on crisp turkey bacon and a cracker w/peanut butter. These little things got me through. I can't say I advise anyone else to do this, but I basically listened to my body and it allowed me to eat small things like that. But I wasn't suppose to, so felt quilty and went back to what my doctor said I should be consuming which was pureed foods. I haven't been able to do too much broth or soup anymore, but I do eat LF yogert and jello now. The first 3 -4 weeks have got to be the hardest.

Be strong it really does get better.

Dee// 5'7"
246/238/217/145
Pre OP/Post OP/Current/Goal

Dee:

I'm honestly not trying to be rude, but something in your post popped out at me. Perhaps the reason that today is the first day you've been pain-free might be because, at five days post-op, you allowed yourself some crisp turkey bacon and a cracker with peanut butter. Just a thought...

DEE145 · 11-18-2005, 11:04 AM

Hi Dara, no I don't take that as being rude, you very well could be right, I'll be the first to admit I don't follow directions to a "T", however my pain was and still is a little from my sutures. I have experience the pain of the pouch, from drinking too fast and from "nibbling" that's why I stick to the program now.

That's why I NEVER tell anyone to do what I do, I suffer my own consequences.

Dara · 11-18-2005, 11:11 AM

Dee:

You're absolutely right. No one's perfect. I have ventured out with food beyond where I was during my first year post-op, but I know it won't have the same profound effect that it would have had during my recuperation and honeymoon period.

I sympathize with your incision/suture pains. I experienced those type of pains for months after surgery. It's just one of those weird things--your body is recovering and adjusting. I'm so glad for you that it's finally stopped.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things. Best of wishes to you in your journey.

Laura@BellaBabies · 11-18-2005, 11:15 AM

I would do what your Dr says. If your really struggling with it call his office. Maybe he will give you the OK to have some cream of Tomato soup or something like that. It is always best to do what the Dr orders thay know what your insides went through.

coptergirl · 11-18-2005, 11:38 AM

Congrats on your surgery!! I do agree with the others here, however, to work closely with your doc during this time...

justawoman · 11-18-2005, 12:51 PM

Thanks guys for all your thoughts. I am probably not really hungry like you have said as I will eat a baby spoon of SF jello and be done but I "think" I am hungry. My mom says my brain is trying to convince me to get back into those old habits. My poor pouch just wont stop rumbling which I assume is gas but makes my brain think I am hungry.

I am doing amazing on my journey and like you have all said I don't want to cuase problems where I don't need them. My surgeon was sooo impressed at how well I did after surgery, how I bounced right back and was up and about so fast and back to my old self. So I think I will take your advice and suck it up and struggle through as I only have a few more days to move to my Full liquid diet. I am sure that will be better and give me more choices of food. Thank you guys for everything and easing my mind.

One more question...Does anyone have a suggestion on how to break my bad habit of drinking to fast? I am not throwing up or getting nauseau or anything but I can feel it in my upper chest that something feels lodged which I am assuming is from drinking to fast but when I go to drink I don't even think about it till after. Bad habits will kill me! grrrrr

Thanks again