1 Wk Post-Op and very hungry

Hello All. I had my WLS on 1/24 and came home from the hospital on 1/27. On 1/28 I felt my first actual pang of hunger and have felt it numerous times ever since. I do sometimes feel fullness, and am being very careful to drink only 4 oz. in one sitting and to take 20 minutes or more to do so, but for the most part I feel hungry and my liquid diet does not suffice. This is not head hunger -- my stomach is growling (I guess the part with the gastric juices, not my new pouch) I just sat at the table and watched my father (who came to visit to help me) eat his pollo asada and edamame with rice and I wanted it. Even though I was drinking a carnation instant breakfast with procel protein at the time. Why am I hungry? I thought I should be sooo full with just a little. I am rather discouraged and hope that all is well with my new little tummy. (Just an FYI -- it is my choice to be with my family during meals don't think he is being insensitive) Please advise and help! Emily -10lbs already

Emily, sorry to hear about being hungry but unfortunately thats how you will feel until you are moved to pureed foods. The Liquid diet never fills anyone up, so dont feel alone!!! Hang in there and it will get better!!!! Good Luck and keep us posted! -Sue 242/224/130

Hey Emily I feel your pain girl!! I am one week post op as of today also, but my doc has me on a liquid puree diet..I guess its a little better than just liquid but it still stinks!! I smell my mom's food and want some so badly but hang in there hun..All of this will pay off..You dont want to eat something solid then regret it later..I already lost 13 lbs..Doesnt it feel great? by the way Pollo asada YUM lol when you start puree, you can take a piece of the chicken and put it in the blender..I know i know it sounds nasty, but you will get the protein you need..Im having such a hard time figuring out what to eat as well. So I just stick to mostly drinks for now and maybe the occasional mashed potato or applesauce..Feel free to email me if you want to since we had the surgery on the same day!! xo Lisa

Hello all. I am 9 days post op. I'm glad that I don't have hunger feelings. I know that would make everything rougher. I do, however, have headhunger for sure. I think that in time that will go away. I don't know how much this is going to help, but this is the way I try to see things. It helps me out. I try to keep in mind that this is temporary. The more time that goes by, the more I can add into my diet. For me, around 6 months I will have incorporated lots into the daily and have many more choices. Think of this time period as temporary. That info really keeps me going in a positive way. And, I'm confident that when you start getting on that scale on weigh in days, the awesome feeling of "loss" will compensate you greatly! Best wishes, ~*Kim*~

I was under the impression prior to surgery, that most people don't feel hungry after WLS. Unfortunately, I was in for a rude awakening once I started feeling pangs shortly after returning home from the hospital. I think it's great that some people don't feel hunger...what a bonus! As for me, it doesn't seem that I am in that camp. That being said, I am on clear liquids and have been since a day before my surgery. I think this may have something to do with it! If one more WLS person tells me it's "head hunger", I am going to kick *them* in the head!! This is not head hunger, this is physical hunger. I see my surgeon on Friday and at that time, I hope to be upgraded to Full liquids. I hope things improve at that stage. I have a feeling once we are on soft and regular foods, we will be A-OK. Hang in there! Chele

I SOOOO understand what you mean, Chele! I too, wondered after surgery why everyone had made it sound so hunky-dory. It was MISERABLE. It still is, to a certain extent. I am on the start of my second week of full liquids after two weeks of clear, and I have to say it is better to be able to have yogurt, but it is just not the same thing as having FOOD! REAL DARN FOOD! I am counting down the minutes before my pureed stage (which is supposed to start on Feb. 8, but my bday is the 7th so I might just have to start a day early! Shhhhh...don't tell anyone!)

Hi Emily, I am right with you hon, i just posted something similiar a few days ago, I was wondering why some people on here that had surgery the same day as me were eating eggs, and refried beans, etc.... already when I still have until next monday on clear liquids, then two weeks of full liquids, and then two weeks of pureed! I wont eat real food for about 6 weeks! It is really hard to watch other people eat, and watching tv is just as bad, food is on tv all the time! I am sorry I dont have much advice for you except, the best advice I recieved was to take it one day at a time instead of looking at "OMG, I have to do this for another week??" I am feeling a lot better every day and getting closer and closer to the next stage. Good luck to you, and feel free to email me anytime. Karyn

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I am really glad to know that I am not alone. I had fears that my surgery was not done "right" or that my pouch was not small enough. But those fears have subsided since there are others on this 3 week liquid diet that are feeling the same as I. But fear not, there is nothing that makes me actually want to take a bite of food. No matter how hungry I feel I will not cheat, not at all, because this was a major decision and I will not risk it being unfruitful by not following Dr.'s advice. Another two weeks and I can start to incorporate pureed foods, so hopefully I will feel a bit more full when I can eat something with more substance. Thanks again for your responses, I love it here at OH! Emily

We have a rule in our house, no one eats in front of me. I either have my food at a different time or in a different room. It's really been helping me. I pulled myself away from them, because I didn't want them to feel bad for me or feel guilty. Start eating some soups, the one that seemed to work for me was Campbell's Golden mushroom soup strained... it made me feel like I had a meal. ::hugs:: Cyndi