Feelin So Hungry

[Tiff1977 1]

I'm 3 weeks post op and the last two day I feel like I could eat a feast. I dont of course. Why am I so hungry? Maybe I should drink more Water. I haven't lost in almost a week. Feeling a lil frustrated. Advise, encouragement or experience welcome.

[Stacy P 7]

Are you logging your food to make sure you are eating enough? Also at this point we have to determine if its real hunger or head hunger.... I have trouble with head hunger myself.

[Back~To~Amy 307]

I am 5 weeks, 2 days postop and have had zero true hunger. I've had some head hunger, but mainly during my 3 week postop liquid diet. Are you sure it's true hunger. It could be head hunger, thirst or an over production of acid. However, make sure you ate getting enough Protein and calories. Lack of either could leave you hungry.

[Katie713 423]

If you don't mind me asking what are your daily totals looking like, as far as calories/protein/carbs and Fluid intake?

How much are you consuming at a sitting and are you in the puree/mushy stage?

You should be able to eat about 4 ounces and that would give you a good feeling of fullness. If you are eating 2 oz, then you probably ARE hungry.

Are you taking a PPI like Prilosec? Sometimes acid in the stomach can make you feel hungry but it's not real hunger.

I eat every few hours, but I can't eat much...still...if I am hungry I eat. A snack might be a piece of cheese or nuts...at 3 weeks out, maybe a little cottage cheese with fruit might help.

Are you drinking shakes?

[Escape_Pod 358]

First of all, please be careful about progressing with food beyond your surgeon's plan! At 3 weeks post-op your staple line is still healing and will be for quite some time. You don't want to get anything caught in it, or have something not sit well and be heaving it back up!

Your nerve endings are still healing, so your body isn't really able to send you good hungry / full signals now, which is why it's so important not to be eating more at once than directed. Again, you don't want to hurt yourself!

Thicker liquids (like shakes, creamy Soups, thinned yogurt, etc.) will help with a sensation of fullness, and of course you should be sipping, sipping, sipping on liquids all day to stay hydrated. That should also help you stay full.

I second the suggestion of an antacid - acid problems are very common after sleeve surgery, particularly early on, and can feel a lot like hunger. If all else fails, call your surgeon's office and ask for advice! I can guarantee you won't be the first.

[Escape_Pod 358]

Oh, and three weeks post-op is a very common time to experience your first stall - your body is in full panic mode! Hang in there, the numbers on the scale will drop again soon!

[Tiff1977 1]

Thank you ladies. I know I'm probably not drinking enough even though I feel like it. I still drink my Protein Shakes and I walk. I just needed dome encouragement and experience.