Post-op hunger question

[EllenH 0]

Reading the other forums I see that quite a few people report being VERY hungry during the post-op liquid and soft food periods. Is this a common issue? Is it real "body" hunger or is it "brain" hunger (as in "I know I have had enough to ? I am also interested in hearing if the problem with gas pain post-surgery is wide spread, how severe it is, and how long it lasts. I've not been banded yet and these issues will not scare me off. I just want to be sure I have all the infirmation and facts.

Thanks for your input,

Ellen

[thsisme 14]

Ellen, there is,sadly no sure fire answer to your questions. These issues are wide-spread, but effect everyone on an individual basis. Some feel hunger and then there are those that don't. If your surgeon places a small amount of fill (it usually is not enough to provide any long lasting restriction, this may take several fills to accomplish) and with the swelling of the stomach you may have some time in which you do not feel hungry and then there are others who feel hungry right from the start. I think here again rather it is physical or psychological hunger is an individual experience and also could be both... I do know that Protein will help keep some of these hunger pains at bay.

Gas pains, again no simple answer and is individual. There are those that have no real problem other than some distention and then there are those who suffer with gass for 1-2 weeks (which is where the majority of folks seemed to be) and then it might last longer for some others. The pain...again no simple answer, I think it depends upon 1) your pain tolerance; 2) the amount that you walk and move around; 3) how you react to the Protein and mushy foods; 4) whether or not tums, gas-x, heat will help you or not. Some have sharp pain up in their left shoulder area due to pressure of the diaphram upon the nerve that hits the shoulder and then again there are those that do not get to have that experience. There are a minority of folks who I have read here on this forum who had shoulder pain for many months and I am not exactly sure what that is from.

My experience was good, I had no hunger and the protein kept me there and from the time I hit the nursing unit (I stayed overnight) I walked every two hours, not just the hallway, but went around the entire floor and when I went home continued to move and walk until I was able to walk for 30 minutes continuously. However, that was me and again I cannot stress enough that everyone is different.

I wish you the best of luck!

[EllenH 0]

Ellen, there is,sadly no sure fire answer to your questions. These issues are wide-spread, but effect everyone on an individual basis. Some feel hunger and then there are those that don't. If your surgeon places a small amount of fill (it usually is not enough to provide any long lasting restriction, this may take several fills to accomplish) and with the swelling of the stomach you may have some time in which you do not feel hungry and then there are others who feel hungry right from the start. I think here again rather it is physical or psychological hunger is an individual experience and also could be both... I do know that Protein will help keep some of these hunger pains at bay.

Gas pains, again no simple answer and is individual. There are those that have no real problem other than some distention and then there are those who suffer with gass for 1-2 weeks (which is where the majority of folks seemed to be) and then it might last longer for some others. The pain...again no simple answer, I think it depends upon 1) your pain tolerance; 2) the amount that you walk and move around; 3) how you react to the Protein and mushy foods; 4) whether or not tums, gas-x, heat will help you or not. Some have sharp pain up in their left shoulder area due to pressure of the diaphram upon the nerve that hits the shoulder and then again there are those that do not get to have that experience. There are a minority of folks who I have read here on this forum who had shoulder pain for many months and I am not exactly sure what that is from.

My experience was good, I had no hunger and the protein kept me there and from the time I hit the nursing unit (I stayed overnight) I walked every two hours, not just the hallway, but went around the entire floor and when I went home continued to move and walk until I was able to walk for 30 minutes continuously. However, that was me and again I cannot stress enough that everyone is different.

I wish you the best of luck!

[EllenH 0]

Thank you. I am adding these questions to my list for my 1st visit with the surgeon on April 11.

BTW - Congrats on your weight loss so far. I can't wait to be there too. Ellen

[thsisme 14]

You will be there before you know it! I have been very blessed in this process. The weight is slowing down as expected for me, but I am so very happy with this process and I have nothing but great things to say about being banded.