Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Why Your New Pouch is confused between Hunger & Thirst



Recommended Posts

In the first to 3rd weeks after surgery you will get a HUNGER feeling. As explained to me by my surgeon and dietitian:

To the woman: You've heard of 'Braxton" contraction??? I'm sure you have. Well its equivalent. Think of your new pouch as a newborn baby, because in a way it is. It's crying, it needs something. Because of the trauma it has just sustain, its a bit confused, so it tells the brain what it's feeling, which is hunger, because at this stage, that's all it knows. The signal isn't mature enough get, like a newborn, to tell the brain, NO, Im THIRSTY not hungry.

Just because you can't see the inner stitches, and all the cuts, like you would if you had a skin trauma, like a very deep knife wound on the skin, we tend to think just because we feel great its ok to do house work, and go back to work. Remember what this surgery entails, YOUR INTESTINE have been surgically re routed!.

.If you had a heart transplant or a shunt put in, you would NEVER consider over doing it, Same thing ladies and gents. This is MAJOR surgery, your body's signals have been disrupted and need a moment to reconnect.

Your stomach is still alive, its just a bit confused because its been chop away and hasn't had time to readjust. DRINK Water FIRST!!!!.. if that doesn't do it, follow your food PHASE stage foods your allowed to be eating. Don't eat a steak!!! or watered down mash potatoes (in less ok by your nutritionist) .

This post is just to let you know that this is a very normal sensation. Hunger is what the tummy does, But REMEMBER its the BRAIN that tells the body it need Fluid to make you salivate. So when the 'Newborn' tummy cries, the brain thinks it hunger. They will reconnect when your stomach realizes its a pouch now. It will begin to tell the brain when it needs Water or food. So its imperative that let the healing do it's job, and get to know your body and its signals. My mouth only get thirsty now when I have gone for to long without water, that's how I know I've gone to long. you see, listen to your body. So try water first, then try eating from you 'food phase' choices. DONT veer off into normal food. That will come soon enough. Thanx for listening. Hope this helps.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

P.S. I wasn't and still am not a Water person, but when that feeling came over me, and my stomach cried, I drank hot broth, I liked the salt taste, made me feel like I was eating a 'flavor". I like beef broth, or I'd have a hot cup of green tea, and just a sip of Water, I do that today to, not a water fan, but I drink other fluids to compensate.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ty for posting this and reminding me. I have bounced back so well on all my other 6 surgeries and not this one. 10 days post op and I'm still getting nauseous, weak, can't sleep, used an electric cart around Wal-Mart because I am scared to push myself and have no where to sit. 2 of my incisions are scaring me making me think they will need packing. I'm bumped out. I am fine mentally if the physical would heal faster. I needed to hear your post. Ty

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

(((hugs to you)))) ;) I know ist hard when you can't see the inner workings of healing. Problem is the inner body had no air to create a scab..so it must rely on the resourses you provide it to heal faster, and that is REST!!! and unfortunately in this FAST PACED world we live in, we want INSTANT healing, instant photos, instant web pages, instant reply's. The body is NOT instant.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the post. I'm 5 days post op and my stomach has been almost quivering and my brain told me it needed food. I can tell you today has been much better.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the post. I'm 5 days post op and my stomach has been almost quivering and my brain told me it needed food. I can tell you today has been much better.

Doc said the quiver was from the surgery meds. Hope you feel better soon. I twitched on my lap band removal but not my bypass

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      Just been waiting until time for my consult with my bariatric surgeon. It's scheduled for Jan 9th. Turns out I won't actually be seeing him. Apparently it'll be with his P.A.             Not sure what to expect. I thought this is where the surgeon would discuss the best surgery option for me. For years I had my heart set on the sleeve, but I've read so many people have issues with reflux - even if they've never had it before - that they've had to be revised to the bypass. I already deal with GERD & take 40 mg of Omeprazole daily, so I started studying about bypass and honestly, it seems like it might be the better choice for me. How can we discuss surgery options if the surgeon is not there?
      What happened at your first consult? Trying to get an idea of what to expect, or maybe I should say, what NOT to expect.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • rinabobina

      I would like to know what questions you wish you had asked prior to your duodenal switch surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×