Already Hungry!? 3 days post op

I'm starving and I'm only 3 days out. Is this unusual?! I was under the impression that hunger doesn't return for sometime. And that the sleeve gets rid of the hormone that causes you to think you're hungry. What's going on!?

Hi Marissa.  My sleeve was performed on the 17th and I'm not hungry at all, although I have to say those Calcium supplement chews I have to take twice a day sure are yummy!  Are you filling up on protein shakes and liquids?

 

Co60s

Sometimes it can take a while for the ghrelin to get out of your system. I've read here that for some, it can take several weeks. Do you actually feel physical hunger? Or do you just feel like you NEED. TO. EAT.? I'm going to bet it's the latter since your sleeve still has quite a bit of swelling. This "head hunger" is a BEAST to deal with. I found the best method was distraction... Distraction and POPSICLES :) They kind of fake your brain into thinking that you're eating. Some people swear by sugar-free gum too because you get to chew :)

Uh yeah.  I was really hungry for at least 2 weeks.  Starving.  Not just head hunger, like my stomach is growling and starting to hurt because I was so hungry.  No amount of jello and water is the same as having food in the stomach!  My surgeon said people don't experience the lack of hunger the same way with the sleeve as they do with gastric bypass.  With the bypass, its proven that the ghrelin (?) hormone is greatly reduced but not so with the sleeve.  I was surprised to hear that because I read otherwise on these boards.  But that's what my doc said...

Anyway the good news is once you get past the liquids stage and into soft foods, the hunger will decrease.  I wouldn't say I don't get hungry, because I do, but it takes a lot less food to make the hunger go away.  But yeah I was STARVING at first.  I'm just about 6 weeks out and I've only "forgotten to eat" a few times.  I NEVER experienced the hunger just disappearing like others have.

Just remember its only temporary!  This too shall pass, and soon you'll be on your way to the healthier person you've set out to become.

That's interesting. My surgeon told me the opposite. The ghrelin site is located in the fundus (the stretchy part of the stomach). This is the portion of the stomach that is removed with VSG. With bypass, the stomach is still intact and secreting ghrelin like normal into the bloodstream. This seems to make more sense to me.

Not trying to be rude or argumentative! Just saying.

http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/082508p56.shtml

This article says: "The dominating theory regarding hunger cessation relates to the removal of the stomach’s ghrelin-producing fundus." (6th paragraph, if you're interested)

I've also read the same thing in articles from MayoClinic and Vanderbilt.

That theory seems to make sense to me too. Although it's actual pain from being hungry I'm experiencing. Once I drink the broth and water it subsides but it doesn't take long for it to come back. Like as I'm typing I can feel my new stomach growling. Lol.

Aww I'm sorry! I didn't experience that for quite a while post op and even now my stomach rarely growls, so I guess I can only sympathize :( I hope it gets better soon!

Yup. My stomach is growling. I just came back from the hospital today to see my family eating KFC. That was probably head hunger but all day in the hospital it was actually pain of hunger. I'm glad I'm not alone on this. I'm kinda disappointed because I thought I wouldn't have hunger for a while. Thanks for sharing

Excess stomach acid can mimic hunger. That said, I felt physical hunger immediately after surgery and it never really went away. I feel hunger every day. A littlebit if a bbummer, but it hasn't stopped me from making the most of my sleeve.

I'm almost two weeks out and have had real hunger. I was put on pureed protein day 3. My plan called for 3 ounces three times per day. I still have not felt full, but I stopped at 3 ounces because that is the plan I have been given. Many people have stated they can't even get down one ounce and I feel baffled by that, but I guess that's why we are all different. I have had chicken breast, steak, bison, ham, eggs and have had no issues. I am trying to reframe my thinking. Feeling full is not necessary, but eating enough to satisfy the hunger ( which could be a few bites for some and the ounces for me) is enough. Constantly wanting to " fill up the tank" is what got us here in the first place. Just know you are not alone. I am hungry and I know the difference between head hunger, wanting something because I want it, and real hunger.For now work your program and hopefully in time we will feel satisfied with our portions. I think I posted the same thing last week. Take care!