5 Weeks Out Gastric Sleeve Surgery - I Eat Something Small, I Get Super Full For 20 Minutes, Then I'm Hungry Again...?

[sirensiren 67]

So I'm 5 weeks out and on solid foods.

I follow the rules- no fluids 30 minutes before or after food. I typically can get a portion the size of a deck of cards down, I feel this new odd feeling of restriction, and just 15-20 minutes later it's like I ate nothing.

I find the sleeve has made it much, much easier to resist the temptation to eat...but it is there, and I'm capable of it.

What gives?! This is an odd sensation.

Anyone else?

I intentionally eat "solid" food, it's been a piece of salmon wrapped in spinach for lunch, tonight at dinner it was chicken sausage. I am worried this is a sign of things to get worse. :/

[Sassygirl06 962]

we are still able to eat anything....like its been said before, the sleeve is just a tool. we have to make the choice to change our old habits or it will not work. I too find myself hungry after a short period of time sometimes. I usually use this time to drink as it usually helps me to feel full again. you can do it! just keep telling yourself you did this for your health and your not going to quit!

[Kimmmm12345 0]

HI, I am 5 weeks out too.

I do exactly the same thing, I eat less than a bird now. Then get hungry again pretty fast.

I started making the Protein Shakes and sip on them throughout the day so I don't get so hungry so fast.

I feel like I wasn't getting enough Protein.

[thinoneday 445]

Bless your hearts. . . i'm out 2 years now and let me tell this is a weird journey! A good journey, but a weird one. Please be really careful with that "I feel this new odd feeling of restriction, and just 15-20 minutes later it's like I ate nothing.". . . this can be where a lot of folks set themselves up for failure. . . they say "oh I'm hungry again" then eat something again. . . the plan with this surgery was restriction to help us NOT EAT SO MUCH. . . we can certainly trick our sleeve by eating 20-30 minutes later continuously, but would that help any? NO, , , we would stall, not lose at an effective rate, and get really frustrated really fast. After you eat your "bird meal" making sure it's dense Proteins, that should really be it until the next meal. . . that is why the doctor says no snacking. . . no snacking is no snacking regardless if your hungry or not. . . by the way are you really hungry or just THINK your hungry. . . how to figure that one out, is after you've eatten your meal and oopps 20 minutes you think your starving, stop everything your doing, stand very quietly and basically "listen" to your tummy. . . is it growling? No, ok then it's just head hunger. . . yes, then you may just be thirsty go drink Water or crystal light or something (I learned this from a buddist friend of mine who practices complete control). . .you don't always need more food. . . good luck, i hope this helps. . .

[favoredone 590]

In my pre-op classes, my doctor wants me to snack on fruits and veggies when I get regular food... I do realize our bodies are different and couple w/ my metabolic issues, that's probably the reason..

I would suggest seeing a nutritionist who is familiar w/ the sleeve and seeing what they suggest.. Perhaps you are deficit in some vits/minerals or something...

[longer-life 139]

Thinoneday is correct. Eating constantly is one of the major pitfalls. So watch for that, since you feel out of control a bit. However, my surgeon does recommend snacking right now (4 weeks out), but not 15 minutes later. I can only eat 1/2 ounce of dense Protein, so it makes sense to get hungry a while later. There is no way I would meet my Protein requirements if I didn't snack or supplement with a shake. Are you meeting your Fluid requirements? To this day I still sip ALL DAY LONG. That should tie you over until your next snack or meal.

Consider logging all your foods (myfitnesspal.com) and contacting your NUT. Take care!

[CJinMichigan 14]

I am 6 weeks post-op and feel real hunger between meals. I tell myself that feeling hungry is a good thing because that is when my body is going to use the fat I've stored. If the feeling gets overhelming I pop a piece of sugarless gum in my mouth or I chew on a piece of turkey Jerky. I can make a small piece last about 10 minutes and finds it gives me some satisfaction; plus it has almost no fat and is loaded with Protein. Good luck!

[mommy2six 2]

I am 7 weeks post op & I rarely feel "hungry" in the old sense before my surgery. I do, however, get a low blood sugar sensation and this helps me know that I need something. It is getting better and I am not getting the low blood sugar feeling as much but it was a great tool in helping me understand my body & when I need to eat. I eat like 5 small meals a day and it has helped me keep my energy up and I don't really fight with the "head hunger" as descriped before. I think one of my biggest problems before this surgery was the "head hunger" and not truely listening to my body. Everyone is different and we all need to take a minute or two and really ask ourselves, "Is this something I need or do I just want this?"

[sirensiren 67]

Wow, thanks for all the replies!

I am always fearful to have fluids too close to meals because my surgeon has told me to wait a full hour afterwards to consume Fluid, but I find myself getting "hungry" during this time, so perhaps I need to limit that hour to 30 minutes?

I DO get full on my Protein shale, which I do in the morning. I find heavy liquids are the only thing that really gets me feeling "full".

[lml32937 65]

i"m 3 days shy of 4 weeks post op. I have NEVER felt hungy- I cannot muster anything thicker than yogurt and a 6oz takes me at least an hour to eat. I tried re-fried Beans and took 2 sppons and was D.O.N.E. I felt"hungry" about 30 min later but it was more nausea. I do drink Water when this happens to "fill up" but am getting NO where near the amount of Protein every day. I generally am having a hot tea for bkfst, string cheese mid morning- a yogurt or 2-3 oz Soup @ lunch- yogurt or string cheese in mid afternoon and soup again for dinner or yogurt.

I have tried tuna and got sick, tried chicken and did ok but only had 2 bites- tried pork no bueno... so I am stuck- I will stick with my soup for a while and try again in about a week but those of you 3-4-5 weeks out and are "eating" be thankful ... Wish I could..