WTH! Hungry?!

[elbee 30]

Ok so I've been searching and googling and scanning forums and I know alllllll about the whole head hunger vs. real hunger vs. stomach acid but really what the heck is going on here? I went from feeling nausea almost all day to severe hunger pains and cramping at night to feeling those pains several times a day after I haven't eaten anything for several hrs. I'm at a loss and SUPER frustrated.

My biggest issue pre surgery was saving most of my calories for the nighttime hunger I would get. And when I tried dieting I always failed because I would follow a sensible eating plan all day then in the evening I'd start picking so I wouldn't go to bed hungry and anxious.

Now 6 days post op I was feeling I was eating more than the average sleever so I tracked my food today. I ate 97 grams of Protein and 1160 calories today!! I ate over the course of the day, drank my Water requirements and STILL felt so hungry and uncomfortable to go to bed that I just had some smooth broccoli cheddar Soup to put something in my growling ravenous stomach. I'm so aggravated, I would almost rather feel nauseous than deal with this. I heard once we move to denser Proteins there will be more restriction but I feel like a serious outlier taking in as much as I am on full liquids.

This is not normal right? I'll be seeing dr this week and dreading getting weighed as I feel like I'm eating more than I was before surgery.

**full liquids include (and I've had all of these options): Protein Shakes, sf jello/pudding, sf popsicles, broth, smooth/strained soup, unsweetened applesauce, plain or no sugar added greek yogurt. Theres also more sf beverage options but I abstain because of taste and rebound hunger/cravings.

[Clementine Sky 708]

I didn't experience feeling ravenous post-op, but I remember reading about other people who did and how acid reflux was a major contributor. Apparently excess stomach acid can mimic hunger pangs in some people. I know you mentioned reading about stomach acid when trying to find answers, but have you tried any medications to see if they help? I believe you can get Nexium over the counter.

My surgeon had recommended drinking 2% milk when hungry in the first month post-op. I drink Fair Life which has more Protein. I'm mindful about how much of it I drink, but it is what I'll choose if I'm hungry and need to be satiated quickly. It tends to fill me up and prevent me from wanting to eat something less healthy.

Best wishes to you!

[elbee 30]

I have some fairlife in the fridge I will try that. I'm taking the contents of an omeprazole capsule daily in the am, does anyone take it twice daily? Or take omeprazole with something else?

[Navigating the Wilderness 824]

10 hours ago, elbee said:

I went from feeling nausea almost all day to severe hunger pains and cramping at night to feeling those pains several times a day after I haven't eaten anything for several hrs.

Congrats, this means your body is healing! I still get those pains, several times per day at 7 weeks out. Some of us do, some of us do not. I use Water to calm my stomach, though I think Clementine's idea of milk is probably even better (though I would go with skim to remove the fat). The liquid diet is the hardest part IMHO, once you move on you should start feeling better.

As far as omeprazole, I know several people who take it twice daily, but of course this would be a question for your surgeon or doctor to see if it is right for you. There are also some long term studies of PPI medications that show it causes dementia in long-term users, so I would strongly suggest finding other ways to calm your stomach.

Edited March 22, 2017 by Navigating the Wilderness

[elbee 30]

I hope so! It feels like my stomach wants me to put something in it to calm it. So far today I've had two extreme episodes. First one was a little over a half hr after lunch (oikos yogurt), I wanted to start my Water drinking but took two tums instead and fell asleep, pain went away. The next happened 2 1/2 hrs later, stomach obviously empty. Took two tums again and pain subsided. Both times I had started taking small sips of water to hydrate btw meals. Water never bothered me before.

[elbee 30]

Wanted to update everyone that at my one week followup the NP told me those feelings in my stomach are what she calls "empty stomach syndrome". She said when the stomach is empty it makes acid and gas and because we are on liquids everything is sliding right through. Also said taking omeprazole at night before bed will help because lying down will give it more time to sit and coat the stomach and protect it from the acids and help heal (the whole point of taking it for us sleevers).

[sway 2]

I am having the same issue - feeling extremely hungry several times a day just 5 days after surgery. In fact, it is the reason I joined this forum.

It is nice to know that it's not just me

In my case, I am starving, eat a little bit from the full liquid diet list (list a few sips or spoonfuls), feel uncomfortable then the cycle starts over. I have struggled to get the recommended amount of liquid down.

It seems so strange that I am SO hungry but can't manage to get more than about 300 calories down per day.

I am trying to only weigh myself once a week, but it seems to be slow going considering I am walking at least a mile each day and following the rules.

Confusing times.

[kristenmh 68]

I'm post-op day 6 and the hunger came back yesterday. it wasn't insane -- i just definitely noticed it was there. just like the posters above, i gave myself a little shot (like 2oz) of smoothie and was instantly full.

from everything i've read here, this is a totally normal part of the healing process. now, if only i could get this non-stop headache to go away!