Has Your Hunger Come Back?

I was reading on Ryan's thread where the subject of hunger came up, as to whether we become hungry or not. I'm wondering how many of you guys have hunger pains and how many of you don't? Do any of you forget to eat? I have this friend that has WLS too, and he told me he forgets to eat, because he doesn't feel hunger at all. I was the same way after surgery, but about a month ago, the hunger has come back. It's not the same type of hunger I felt before surgery, it's more of a "my body is weak--need to eat" type hunger. I have my hungry days and not so hungry days too. I find my more hungry days are reflected with my cycle. I usually up my protein to counter-act the urge to eat. It helps tremendously. So, what is hunger like for you guys? Please share your story. I have marked this post priority--only for more visual, but I think this subject would be an interesting topic for everyone. Thanks-- Dee

Hi Dee! I was in the middle of that conversation on Ryan's thread but thought I'd throw in my 2 cents here as well! I have yet to feel actual hunger. There have certainly been times that I've forgotten to eat....last night being one of those times! I get busy and I'm not hungry....so I don't think about it. However I have had cravings for food....head hunger. It's always been after I've eaten carbs and then I notice that I just want to eat, eat, eat. Luckily I recognize what the trigger is and I try to avoid carbs, but if I do eat carbs I know what's going to happen and can be prepared. Now protein....that's a different story! I'm having a hard time getting in the protein. I think because I don't really want to eat anyway. It's more of a chore to eat than the pleasure it used to be before surgery. I was talking to a good friend today that had surgery a few weeks after me and from our conversation I've decided that I'm going to be more diligent about getting in a protein supplement every day until I can get enough protein from food. Chris

I'm two and half weeks post op and I definitely feel hunger. For about two days after I got out of a five-day hospital stay, I was famished! Now, I'm learning to eat less and drink ALOT more. I'm sure things will change once I have my restriction, but I'm using this time to learn to manage my hunger (real and head). Karen in Kentucky

Hi Dee, I was hungry in the very beginning but after I was 2 months out...it totally went away. I felt like I could go for days and not eat, but at the 6 month mark I started getting hungry again and have been ever since. It's not as bad as it was pre-op of course but I can see how people can gain weight back after surgery. I'm looking forward to warm weather getting here so I can get out more and not think about food lol. Take care

Hey Dee, I forget to eat all the time. Well in the mornings mostly. I'm more of a drinker. I drink all the time. Unsweet tea made with splenda. Coffee (with splenda of course) some water (not as much as I should) and diet mt dew, coke zero, any diet but reg diet coke. That stuff is nasty. I do have days when I want to snack all the time and drives me nuts. Adam and the kids are going thru this phase where I have to buy the cookie dough at Walmart for choco chip cookies. U buy the dough, its little squares of choco chip dough, u put them on the baking sheet and in 14 mins u have loads of little temptations staring u in the face while u r getting them out of the oven all warm and smelling fabulous. That drives me nuts. But I have to remember I had this surgery, they didn't. I sometimes try to sneak in rice cakes or granola bars for their sweets but that doesn't last long. I have limited Allison's sweet intake because she is 5 and weighs 65 pounds. If she drinks a soft drink, not often, its a diet one. She normally drinks tea with splenda, water, and fat free milk. I do buy fat free milk for the whole family. In answer to your question. I do forget to eat alot, until after lunch then I generally remember. Not eating in the mornings is a bad thing ( yes, Dr Shina or Dr Geller or Holly if u r reading this feel free to yell at. ) I know I should eat a meal in the mornings to keep from getting hungry and wanting to snack. But I just forget. I wake up, take my stomach pill and vitamins. Drink something. Tell myself that I have to wait 30 mins after I drink and eat my small meal. Then I forget and start drinking something else and then having to wait another 30 mins. I do get hungrier now that I used too or at least my brain thinks I do. Head hunger sucks. Especially at pms time. That is the worst for me. Hugs Ange

hi Dee so you can drink coke zero? i was thinking we could NEVER drink soft drinks at all. i am only a month out...but i miss that alot. of course right now i seem to wan****er for thirst more than anything. Sheila

I'm not Dee, but yes I've been drinking diet soft drinks since about 6 wks out. My surgeon said it would be fine. I drink them all the time and have lost down from 324 to 157. Been maintaining my current weight for almost a year. Good luck and check with your surgeon about the soft drinks cause each dr is different in their beliefs. Hugs and best wishes Angela R

HI.. I think I was in that conversation too Being almost 3 years out.. I don't get hunger pains.. but I never got those pre-WLS cuz I was always feeding.. ... Now post-WLS, my challenge is to not graze when I'm at work.. for some reason there seems to be some form of food there constantly and I have to watch it. Not always good at that tho.. but when at home after work.. I don't eat. I don't have the crave too.. I think that counter-balances it some. On weekends I'm good too.. and like you stated.. sometimes I have to remind myself to eat something cuz I know my body needs it. It will always be a work in progress.. the surgery gave us a tool not a cure all for old habits. I am thankful that my quantities are still limited.. and occasionally when I overstuff or eat something that the pouch doesn't like *that meal* that I will get sick. Anywho... that's me and my pouch.. Thanks for the interesting TOPIC Rhonda

de im 9 months out and have never felt hunger yet tina

i'm 17 days post-op and i felt my first hunger pain the Saturday after my surgery. So about one week. I've had a few head cravings, but i bet them. When my stomach does tell me it's hungry, it doesn't take much to fill it up. Charlotte