Weight Loss Surgery Forums

Ask OH March 2009

Member to Member Q & A

Q. Hungry! Hello. I had my surgery on the 25th of Feb., so I am post-op14 days now! I was wondering; were any of you hungry after your surgery or feel like your starving?  All I can think about is food! I thought that was going to change. I am so confused...and hungry.  Also how do you know if you eat too much!    ? Mackenzie U.

A. I'm with the majority...you almost answered your question with the words you asked..."All I THINK about is food" and "how do you know if you eat too much"....Your head is thinking about food and that is how many of us process our hunger pre op.  After surgery we have to learn to let our tool tell us when we are satisfied. In the very beginning you need to trust that a few tablespoons of food is enough.  As time goes on, your pouch will retrain your brain.  Focus on eating so you can learn the signals.    Stay away from sugar and stick with complex carbs so you don't start getting cravings...It's very strange and new at first, but you will over-eat one day and you KNOW it by the crippling pain, nausea, sweating etc...Don't do that...Don't try to fill a hunger that isn't there.  ENJOY that you are not hungry.  REMEMBER how we used to diet and PRAY that we could just not be hungry?  YOU have that now...use it to help you! Hunger does come back eventually and then you wish it didn't! Try to eat on a schedule so your brain understands the rules! Eat ONLY every 3-4 hours and you'll be less confused in no time! Good luck! ? Anita R.

Q. Has anyone experienced severe leg cramps after surgery?

I am 6 wks post-op from RNY. I went back to my Dr. and he had labs drawn which all came back within normal limits. I am taking a magnesium supplement and potassium supplement over the counter, which he okayed along with the rest of my vitamins. But I continue to experience severe cramps in my calf that then runs down around my shin and even into my ankle. It gets so bad that I can hardly walk, which makes the cramping worse. It takes several minutes of massaging and manipulating my leg to different positions to even gain relief.  ? Tammy J. 

A. I was having the same problems just this week. I am only one week out and was afraid that it could be blood clots. I went to the doctor and he said that if I wasn't getting at least 64 oz. of fluid that would cause the cramps. ? Helen L.

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