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

Recommended Posts

How hungry is everyone after gastric bypass surgery?

One of my biggest fears is being constantly hungry since no food is actually making it through my stomach. I have a week to go before my surgery, just starting the pre-op diet tomorrow, and a bit nervous if i can make it through without feeling like I'm starving.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

most people (not all - but most) lose their sense of hunger for up to a year post-surgery. For a lucky few, hunger never comes back.

the pre-surgery liquid diet is different, though - that's the worst part of the whole ordeal, IMHO. It's hell - but most of us have been there and have made it through. I ate lots of sugar free popsicles and sugar free Jello (the latter since it was the only thing I could have that somewhat resembled real food). You just have to white knuckle it and remind yourself that it WILL end. I was so glad to be rolled off to the OR the morning of my surgery knowing that the stupid pre-op diet was OVER!!

Edited by catwoman7

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had gastric bypass 8 days ago and I haven't felt hungry at all since waking up in my hospital room. If I didn't have times set for when I need to eat and how much, I would just not eat because if anything I feel an uncomfortable fullness like I've just stuffed myself with a massive holiday dinner just by drinking a couple sips of Water. But I agree with @catwoman7 about the 2 week pre-op diet being the hardest part. Although after about 4 days, you become resigned to it and stop feeling so hungry. My advice is remove all temptation from your home and office areas before you start. You can't eat what you don't have.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Agreed, also had gastric bypass, 2 week liquid diet was awful, I felt hungry and it was difficult but did get better after day 4. Since surgery, I've felt hungry a couple of times, not in the usual way at all. I feel an overall need to refuel, usually when I've been extremely active. I've also felt hungry as in my stomach is empty, maybe two times. It didn't have the same effect, it was just a feeling, I realized I hadn't eaten as usual and should be hungry, set my timer to stop liquid, ate, and it was gone and I was left feeling satisfied. It's all just so much calmer, if that makes sense.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I never lost my hunger. Not with the sleeve or with my revision to bypass (complications caused the revision). It was tough...really tough...in the beginning with both surgeries, but once I learned to time my meals and Snacks, and learned the difference between head hunger and real hunger, and got my body used to the dietary changes I was making, it got a lot easier. You have to not only retrain your stomach, you also have to retrain your brain and change your relationship with food. It's worth it in the end.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i was hungry for the first 2 or 3 days after the start of my 2 week liquid pre-op diet.

after that, the first time i felt that ravenous type of hunger was maybe 2 years later.

mind you, i did feel tiny pangs of hunger, starting around month 6 or so, but they were easy to talk myself out of, if that makes sense.

im 5 1/2 years out now and i still am not even close to experiencing the degree nor frequency of hunger i felt before surgery.

some people have similar experiences, and others don't. you won't know which camp you fall into until you do.

best thing you can do for yourself right now is not stress over things you can't control and focus on the things you can.

good luck! ❤️ (you can do this :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm now on day three after the surgery. Not any hunger pangs. Mostly just some craving when my roomies cook something that smells absolutely awesome! But no actual hunger pangs yet.

Thank you everyone for your support and comments. It definitely helps.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm 1 month poat op and to be honest I get hungry the most is before bed. Like I literally go to sleep hungry. Not sure if it is really hunger and I don't know if I am eating enough. My dietician recommended 8 meals a day and I reach around 6 so perhaps I must add a final snack before bed like some Greek yogurt or a Protein Bar hmm.. I am just worri3d about calories

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was starving one week post-op.

My hunger never left, but the signals changed. The hunger I feel is like hollowness in my abdomen, it feels like physical pain rather than craving something that is specific (taste or texture). I did lose my interest in eating between my Snacks and meals (and what to eat was not on my mind), but once the clock hit 2 hours past my last meal/snack I felt the pangs.

I lost a lot of weight very fast, and my post-op experience felt like I'm starving to death and withering away if that makes sense. The feeling of physical hunger pain is probably my body's way of preserving itself (I guess). Now that I am a bit more stabilized I have many days where I'm just not interested in food, and days where I'm ravenous (especially when I've hit it really hard at the gym).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all. I am 5 days out of the gastric sleeve surgery and I am STARVING!! From everything I’ve heard and everyone that I have spoken to this is definitely not normal. Has anyone experienced this?

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

    • 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!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • 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

    ×