Why am I hungry?

[BariatricCeliac 33]

I had gastric bypass on Tuesday 5/20 and think I have been recovering pretty well. My big concern is that I still feel hunger pains. I thought that was supposed to go away?

[Marathongirl 106]

I don't know about you, but for me, that was head hunger. Right after I had surgery I thought I was hungry, because I was craving food. I would see commercials on tv, or watch my family eat, it was hard. In my opinion, which is just that, it's all psychological. You know deep down inside that if you eat anything you want you'll be sick as a dog!!! Just remember that

I wish you good luck, and just try to get through that first week or so. I can remember asking myself why I did it. I promise it does get better. HUGS!

[Cupcake 801]

I AGREE WITH MARATHRONGIRL I BELIEVE ITS HEAD HUNGRY I HAD MY PROCEDURE ON MAY 19 AND I HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF TO EAT, OR SHOULD I SAY DRINK LOL, I DO NOT SEE food THE SAME ALTHOUGH MY FAMILY IS EATING REGULAR MEALS I DONT WANT IT, MEMORIAL DAY IS PENDING AND I EVEN OFFERED TO COOK AND MY HUBBY SAID NO ITS OK I WILL JSUT ORDER A pizza. I DO REMEMBER THE WEEK PRIOR TO SURGERY I HAD food HUNGRY BADLY I KNEW I WASNT HUNGRY BUT I WANTED TO EAT EVERYTHING AS IF MY SURGERY DAY WAS DOOM DAY AS IF I WOULD NEVER EAT AGAIN, IT SEEMS SILLY NOW WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT BUT THATS HOW I KNOW ITS A MIND GAME THING. YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU GOOD LUCK.

[JanetteH 80]

I disagree with Cupcake and Marathon girl - sorry : ) The effects of surgery are different for all of us - I had crazy, almost painful hunger pangs for the first 2 weeks - and it definitely was NOT head hunger. My doc told me that although they know the physiological effects on the body, they still don't know the effects of WLS on the brain and everyone is different. My brain thought I was starving although some people are not hungry at all. I'm afraid I just had to tolerate it until it went away - I wished I had not had the surgery because of it! Hang in there BariatricCeliac - it does get better. For me, the difference started after around 2 weeks and by one month, the hunger had pretty much gone away. I'm 12 weeks out now and hunger is no longer a problem - just the head hunger or cravings we all get now and then : )

[BariatricCeliac 33]

I think that some of it may be head hunger, but my stomach has been growling almost nonstop for the last two days. It's not gas either. I've been basing my Protein Drinks around the hunger pains... it kind of helps.

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

If you look around the boards much, it seems that noisy stomachs are pretty common after the surgery. At our support group Tuesday night a lady that's 3-4 weeks out from the sleeve asked about the noises -- she said it gets really loud and other people can hear her across the room sometimes. The doc said it's just the stomach adjusting to being smaller, adjusting the amounts of acid and such. Nothing to worry about.

Something to think about -- for me (preop) I know in the past I never really let myself get to the hungry stage (why I'm getting surgery) and so seldom hear my stomach rumbling. When I do, I automatically think I'm hungry. Maybe that's some of what you're feeling too.

Either way -- best wishes and I hope your situation improves and you start feeling a lot better.

[DLCoggin 1,788]

I think that some of it may be head hunger, but my stomach has been growling almost nonstop for the last two days. It's not gas either. I've been basing my Protein drinks around the hunger pains... it kind of helps.

Lol - my stomach has been growling for two and a half years! I don't know what he's saying but he has a lot to say on the subject!

[green*eyed*girl 170]

I think that some of it may be head hunger, but my stomach has been growling almost nonstop for the last two days. It's not gas either. I've been basing my Protein Drinks around the hunger pains... it kind of helps.

I know exactly how you feel.

I was super hungry on the 5th day after my surgery, thank God I was allowed to start pureed food on that day. Trust me, it was not head hunger. I was on the pureed stage for 5 days, and 10 days after my surgery I could start to eat solid food, well chewed of course. I know, for some of you this is strange but my surgeon does it this way and I was gladly fallowing his advise.lol

With solid foods you will feel more restriction. However I still get hungry in every 3 hours, so I do not have to be reminded to eat - my tummy does make me remember. Usually a few bites of food satisfies my hunger. Also, when I get my first hunger wave, I drink some Water, that usually helps for at least 20-30 minutes.

I have to log my food to make sure I do not go over my calorie limit. Honestly, I could eat more... I thought after the surgery my hunger will be gone, but apparently this is not the case. However, my hunger is manageable now and I can stick to a diet. It is still hard work to be honest, and you have to make wise choices day after day. Good luck to you!