I have a question about hunger

For those who have had RNY, do you still get hungry?  Does it decrease your appetite as well as how much you can eat?  I need to stop eating so much in preparation.  I always drink when I eat, so that's going to be a huge adjustment for me.  I read somewhere that you can only take pencil eraser top-size bites to eat and swallow.  Is this true?  What else should I be doing to prepare for this in 4 or so months? 

Thanks for answering.

Debbie

Hello Debbie....sometimes I am more hungry then other times. That is quite normal. My appetite is nowhere near a big as it was.
People do eat too much after surgery and they do regain the weight they lost. This surgery is all about lifestyle change. It doesn't cure head hunger. It is all about learning to make good/healthy choices. Sticking with your surgeons restrictions and on and on.
I always drank with meals...a lot!! I have learned to do without. My surgeon requires that we can drink (after the first year) right up to eating. Before that one year it was not drinking 30 minutes before. We can't drink for 60 minutes after. That to me is the hard part. Many doctors only require 30 minutes after a meal. I stick too it because it is necessary.
At first ...your bite sizes will be very small. You need to chew every bite to an applesauce consistency. I still take small bite but not pencil eraser size. Get yourself some baby spoons and forks...also use small plates...this helps more then you can imagine.
Start practicing not drinking with meals....once  you can do that it gets so much easier.
Everyone worries about "will they be able to do this?". It is a mind set. If you really, really want a healthy and happier life this is what you should do.
There are many wonderful things to focus on instead of food.The world revolves around food....too much!!!

Remember.....Nothing Tastes As Good As Thin Feels!!

You can do this....don't dwell on the negatives.....make a list of the positives. I also started writing all the things I want to do after I lost the weight. I had quite a list and most all of it I have acheived!!
Hang in there...you can do it and you will be glad you did!

Hugs....connie d

Debbie,
Hey about the hunger I can tell you that you still get hungry. The head hunger that Connie was talking about was the most difficult thing for me. When I was just say 2 weeks out I was so wanting PIZZA and the doctor I have said no yeast products for at least 1 year. SO I was still hungry for pizza and finally tired a piece before my year was up and it didn't even taste the same so something will not taste as good as it did before the surgery. I used to like water and crystal light really well and I am just to where I can tolerate them in small amounts.
 Just remember to chew anything you eat alot. If not it will sit like a rock in your pouch and sometimes it feels like you are having a heart attack. But just remember to chew and you won't have that feeling!
 About drinking with your meal that is a NO NO as it washes the food down to the intestines and your body doesn't absorb the nutrients. My doc said to drink up until a meal and nothing for 30 minutes after. SO just do what the doctor says and everything will be fine. ALso remember to sip sip sip. You don't want to get dehydrated. I know you will do fine just take your docs and members of this boards advice and you will have no problem.
 When is your surgery? Where are you having it done? 
 GOOD LUCK!Michelle

Thank you Connie and Michelle for answering in such detail.  When I first started educating myself about WLS, I read everything I could get my hands on the first month.  I've tried to not obsess over this and I've done really well thus far. 

I guess I'm getting a little jittery because my surgical appointment is on May 26th (my birthday) at 1 p.m.  It's becoming a reality now.  I'm not doing well with getting the weight off, but I am working out on the treadmill, which is definitely a plus for me.  I probably should rejoin WW again to help me get rid of some of this weight before surgery.  I really NEED to start practicing these eating habits to prepare myself, but it's like I'm getting my last hoorah in with food.  I did well last week with healthy eating, but by the weekend I started slipping.

To answer your questions, Michelle, I have to complete 6 months of weight loss education, I'm now in month 3.  I'll have the surgery done at York Hospital in York, Pennsylvania.  I'll know more when I meet with my surgeon in three weeks from today - teeth chattering here - lol

Have a wonderful day.  Hope you all are getting sunshine, because we've had nothing but rain....it's getting old now, we need some sunshine - lol

Debbie

I'm glad you started this post.  I'm a little over 2 weeks out and I've been trying to figure this out.  I'm trying real hard to listen to my new little pouch.  I'm deathly afraid of dumping, which fortunately, I've not experienced yet and hope I never do.  But - here's my dilemma....I no longer have the hunger pain that I was accustomed to having before my RNY.  I basically have to rely on the clock to let me know when it's time to eat - I do not get hungry and I do not experience "head hunger".  I also do not know when I'm full.  I do not experience that fullness that I had pre-op.  I basically just measure my food, and when I'm done, that's it - I'm done.  I feel satisfied but I don't know what else I should be feeling.  Does this all change as you get further out and introduce more foods?  Will the hunger pains that I knew pre-op return or are they gone forever?  I know that everyone is different, but any clues that anyone can give me will really be appreciated!

yessssssssssssss I sure get hungry and I will be 1-yr out from WLS-RNY 5/13/09. Actually, I am starving right now!

Would it be safe to conclude that people typically don't cheat because they dump? 

Typically, when you follow a weight reduction program, like WW, you can cheat and if you keep on cheating, you regain the weight and then some (where I'm at right now). 

So, in conclusion, having the pouch and the drastic weight loss gives you the tools you need to continue on with healthy eating to maintain the weight loss?

I'm desperately trying to understand.  I talk to people who have had the surgery and they tell me it's been a breeze for them, yet I read on the forum that people struggle daily.  Right now I'm struggling daily to get back on a program to drop the 26 pounds I've gained since last May.  Any insight would truly be appreciated.

I hope this thread doesn't get lost because I really would like to hear what others think and feel. 

Have a great Wednesday.

Debbie

I haven't had my surgery yet either.  I'm not too worried about the actual hunger feeling, it's the head hunger I worry about.  Right now I eat when I'm happy, sad, bored, depressed, tired any and all of the above.  I'm sure most of that is head hunger.  I also drink a lot with meals, usually three glasses of water or two of milk.  I've tried to cut down, but it's really hard.  I'm hoping that after surgery it won't be as much of a problem.  I see my surgeon for the second time next Friday, at which time I'll get my surgery date.  Everyone says time will fly by, but right now it's still creaping along.
Jan

Jani,

You're going to be having your surgery before you know it.  I guess you've gone through the 6-month weight, and all the consults then.  I'm sure you'll let us know when your surgery date is going to be.  Good luck to you.

D

You bet I'll let you know.  Everyone will know.  I only have to wait a week and a half to find out.  I had almost everything, including being approved by my insurance company done in December.  Henry Ford Hospital has a lot of requirements and long waits.  I think if I had gone somewhere else I'd have gotten in sooner.  Oh well.  I don't want to wish my life away, just wi**** to get better.
Jan