1 year post surgery and seem to have exceeded my expectations. However, hunger keeps coming even after staying hydrated. Is it normal?

[Sam006 2]

So I am almost 13 months post OP (mini gastric bypass). Posting in gastric bypass forums as mini gastric didn't seem much active.

I have lost close to 162 lbs and now at 166 lbs. Achieved close to 100 % loss for my excess weight. I also have very good muscle build now due to strength training and all bones show up. But one thing is, my hunger is back.

I am trying to keep meals small, like I was taking couple of months back. I eat slowly, even stop at times and then continue. No dumping syndrome or diarrhea, infant I get constipated at times. Use bathroom like once in 1 or 1.5 days. So I think I am not eating too much, as I am always scared to stretch my pouch.

But unlike earlier, nowadays within 1 or 2 hours I start to feel hungry. Generally, I substitute that with a fruit, tea (milk one and green tea), make Protein Shake (whey and casein in night), raw tofu or low-fat cottage cheese. Earlier I could eat small meal and remain hungry for hours. But not anymore. The flipside I feel is constantly feeding every 2 hours, even with healthy options might raise insulin level that further impacts hunger hormone?

I keep hydrated all the time, still but stomach growls every 2 hours. I think since I no longer have any fat reserves, and I have lot of muscle mass now which requires calories. Maybe thats the reason?

What do you think?

Thanks

Edited January 25, 2024 by Sam006
Added Detail

[GreenTealael 25,430]

Hunger returns for a lot of us. Your question reminds me of these videos.

[GreenTealael 25,430]

Edited January 25, 2024 by GreenTealael

[BabySpoons 617]

I would allow yourself more calories. I'd hate to see you lose all that hard earned muscle by not consuming enough calories to maintain them. Maybe add a couple more high Protein Snacks which are more satiating. Carbs will stimulate your hunger.

No fat reserves and muscle mass dying to be fed. I'd love to have that problem. LOL

Congrats on your success!!!

[Jonathan Carlson 73]

1 hour ago, BabySpoons said:

I would allow yourself more calories. I'd hate to see you lose all that hard earned muscle by not consuming enough calories to maintain them. Maybe add a couple more high Protein Snacks which are more satiating. Carbs will stimulate your hunger.

No fat reserves and muscle mass dying to be fed. I'd love to have that problem. LOL

Congrats on your success!!!

I would agree that it's possible you just need to allow yourself more calories considering your rapid weight loss.

Congratulations on your success!

[NickelChip 1,310]

Also, as long as you aren't using oils and sauces or dips on them, you can always eat more vegetables with your meals. The Fiber will fill you up nicely without adding a lot of extra calories. Speaking only for myself and my own psychology, I would avoid adding regular snack times or anything that looks like snack food, even "healthier" versions of snack foods. Personally I fear I would find it triggering, and it would be too easy to go from healthy Snacks to not so healthy ones, "just this once" which of course turns into more than once so easily...

[Arabesque 7,413]

Congratulations on your loss. Whoo hoo! Might be worth checking your calorie intake & what your body actually needs to maintain your current weight & activity level. What portion size are you actually eating? I eat pretty much what is considered an appropriate serving size in maintenance e.g. 3-4ozs Protein & a cup of vegetables. Took me to about 18 +/- months to be able to physically be able to eat that. I had been snacking a lot in between to try to stop my continued weight loss until I got to that portion size. I actually still do have to snack just not as frequently. Might be worth a conversation with your dietician to see if there’s something you’re missing & what you could add to your every day eating to help.

Also, a growling tummy is more often than not your digestive system doing what it’s supposed to - digest food. Mine is noisiest during & after I eat for up to a couple of hours. Remember you can’t be really be hungry as you’ve just/recently eaten. Your cup of tea is a great idea when this happens.

PS - I snacked on combinations of cheese, multigrain crackers & hummus, Protein Bar, fruit, peanut paste, nuts, yogurt, chia pudding, etc. about 5x a day. Yes I felt I was eating all day long. Now I snack 3 x a day on basically the same things & also occasionally beef Jerky & baked fava beans/chick peas.