Hunger Pains Post-Op -- Could it be?

[ScubaMary 2]

I had sleeve surgery 12/16. The last 2 days I've been feeling hunger pains?!? Could this be true? I have my daily Protein intake, keep hydrated, eating my sugar free Jello and pudding and my blenderized Soup 4oz 3xs daily until 1/18 which is my doctors regimen (I've lost 14 pounds in 11 days) so my intake is good and I am on track. However I am experiencing what seems like hunger pains?!? Is this normal? Is it really hunger pains? Has anyone else felt this? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[FL_Buckeye 12]

Hi ScubaMary! I'm a 12/16er too! Hm, I don't think I'm having hunger pains, but I'm craving "real" food quite badly. My stomach isn't even handling as much food as you described, but the craving is very real. Someone else can probably answer better, but I have heard others talk about being hungry.

[Champ715 207]

I'd say it's probably head hunger. I am three months post op and still don't experience true hunger. What I feel is more of an empty feeling. Even though I don't get hungry, I do get cravings like I always did. Sometimes I think "man, a diet coke would be so good right now" but I just drink Water instead and the cravings go away. I know it's all in my head.

PS the way I distinguish between hunger and "empty" feeling is by asking myself "will anything satisfy the feeling or will only something very specific satisfy the feeling?" For example, prior to surgery, when I felt hungry I would always want something very specific like a cheeseburger or nachos or whatever. Only that specific food I was craving would make me feel better. The "empty" feeling I have now is satisfied by whatever I put in my stomach, regardless of whatever I might be craving.

[ScubaMary 2]

Maybe that's it an empty feeling ... I am not having cravings at all sometimes I think maybe I'm swallowing too fast or too big and that's why I'm getting these cramp like symptoms. Thank you both @@FL_Buckeye and @@SouthernSleever for your responses. It is much appreciated.

[Sleevelife 3]

I am so glad someone else asked this! I am 22 days out and have felt some of the same feelings. It does feel like a hunger pang, and is satisfied with anything.

Limited choices being on pureed and soft food. I am also having issues feeling full after just a few bits and then feeling "empty" again fairly soon, like an hour + later. Any advice?

[NewBakstballMom 2]

@@SLEEVE life I having the same feeling as you!! I hope someone has a good answer for it. I have a doc appointment and that is my first question.

[KenBuzz 14]

You're not alone. I'm 6 days post-op and woke up this morning feeling hungry. I was hungry again this afternoon, and tonight about an hour after my pureed dinner I'm hungry again.

I don't see my surgeon for another 3 weeks, but I'm checking with my dietician via email tonight.

[ilovemyhusband 5]

I heard that it can be acid reflux. I felt the same way so I took a tums and it helped. I had that feeling everyday about 6 days after surgery. I took a tums for two days and haven't had a problem until today but I tried a lemon in my Water today so took another today and was fine after. Tomorrow I will be two weeks out. Hope it helps for you. Bring it up to your doctor by the way. They can prescribe better acid reflux Meds if that's what it is

[sleever54 8]

I ask the same question when I was first sleeve. So I have learn since then:

What I thought was hunger was not actual hunger but my stomach making noises from the Water I just drank or whatever it may be. You stomach will start to grumble more now and again "it's not hunger". I thought forsure that my stomach growling but nope it was grumbling. Close to the same but not at all the same.

Ignore it as hunger but accept it as the new you. One thing about being sleeve is we have noisy tiny stomachs! Mine is making noises as I type. lol

Edited January 6, 2016 by sleever54

[triciakae 18]

I am 5months out and remember my stomach growling but I think it was air bubbles or something. I would have to be really hungry to feel slightly hungry. But recently I had about a 2 weeks period where I was extremely hungry all the time. But when I know that I just ate and it wasn't time to eat again I would drink a bunch of Water and it would normally go away.

[Mamapanda2 0]

I had the sleeve on12/29. The first week was the worst. I gave up artificial sweeteners and went almost completely organic 10 years ago. I couldn't do the unflavored Protein and crystal light. I cants stand all the sugar free puddings and hellos they just taste disgusting to me I am doing better this week. Eating organic Soup and the shakes but honestly I am craving vegetables fish quiche. I go to see my nutritionist on Monday. I am getting tired of the shakes. I am a little afraid that I am expected to continue with all this chemical foods.