Question:
Im hungry every couple of hours - will this stop?

Im jealous of the people with no hunger. Will mine stop? Im three weeks post-op?    — cpainter5 (posted on June 10, 2009)


June 10, 2009
Sorry, I really don't know the answer to that question. I am wondering if I will ever be hungry again...I am 6 weeks post op and have yet to feel hunger....but I am okay with it so far....I hear it could be 6 months or so before that comes back ....I thought it happened to everyone...
   — gonnabethinfinally

June 10, 2009
I'm always hungry but I have the lap band so I don't know. I am constantly thinking about what I'm going to eat next. I personally think its all in our head because we are so a custom to eating. Good luck with that that.....
   — tcsmith43

June 10, 2009
I had the RNY 3.5 yrs ago and I wasn't hungry the first 3-4 months post op. Then I started to be hungry every two hours as well. My doctor told me I wouldn't be hungry because of cutting the nerves in the stomach, takes away that feeling. Once the nerves grow back, you get hungry. Also, you will feel a weird tingling feeling in your mid section because all the nerves from the incisions are healing. Take Care
   — Kristy

June 10, 2009
I was told by my Anthem nurse that it is normal and we will get to the point that we are eating three regular meals and that will go away.
   — vmv2610

June 10, 2009
june 11 will be 2 years that I've had the band and I still get hungry hours after eating I find myself standing in front of the fridge. maybe it is just in hour heads.
   — DEBBIE C.

June 10, 2009
i had the RNY and was dying to eat the day after surgery! I went home and the only thing keeping me from pigging out was the simple fact that i couldnt!! i had a couple of weeks and sheer determination to retrain my brain to NOT eat the way i used to. my dietician said that when i palnned my meals, i needed to eat my proteins first, then veggies, then whatever else. beverages 30 -60 min before/after meals and constantly through out the day this will help with the hunger, you may be dehydrated.
   — olsontmo

June 10, 2009
Are you doing all liquids still? That could keep you from feeling satisfied. If not, most likely you're experiencing head hunger. At this early stage you should be eating every 2-3 hrs. Not full meals of course but more like 5-6 mini meals or snacks throughout the day. My food plan requires we write down what and how much we are consuming and calculate the protein for each of those foods. My minimum is 50g per day (females) and slowly increasing as pouch capacity and food tolerance allows. Track your fluids too; shoot for 64 oz per day. Often hunger is a signal you are or are becoming dehydrated. Right now the most important proactive thing you can do is to MEASURE your food because you aren't feeling true hunger. Your quantity at this stage is 2-4 oz., or 1/4 to 1/2 cup. Eventually you will be able to hold 1 cup but that won't be for many months yet. Don't exceed these amounts or you run the risk of stretching your pouch or stoma. Remember too that fluids run thru like a funnel, you won't stretch your pouch with water or a protein shake. I bet if you're still on mostly all liquids that's why you're not feeling satisfied. Make note also to not drink for at least 30 min after you've eaten. You can wait a little longer to, up to 60 min. That will leave the foods in your pouch longer. And at 3 wks out you most likely can be trying foods with more 'body' to them like oatmeal, cottage cheese, refried beans, etc. I add a scoop of protein powder to the oatmeal and I can only eat 1/4 C because it is very filling. Give these suggestions a try and try to focus on what you are eating instead of what you aren't. This is part of re-training the brain to accept that we can eat significantly less and still properly and heathily maintain our bodies. Hang in there, it will get better. Don't let the old bad-habit brain ruin this for you. Put the new healthy thinking brain in charge.
   — Arkin10

June 10, 2009
You really shouldn't be feeling hunger physically. make sure ou are drinking a lot of water. That's what I was told after my RNY. I also have to struggle between the difference of physical vs. head hunger. Do you feel this hunger whenever you're doing something you used to nibble while doing it? Just make sure you are drinking tons of liquids.
   — Muggs

June 10, 2009
There is head hunger, where you think of all the lovely, tasty things you are used to eating and then the real physical hunger. WHich is you hunger. You need to journal to A) keep youself busy and B) keep track of what you eat, how you felt(what triggered you to eat) and how hungry you were. Next you need to take in real protein, it staves off hunger. Carbs just gets that vicious cycle going by elevating blood sugar and messing with your hormones. Hope this helps.
   — Renee B.

June 11, 2009
From personal experience, I believe that if I am drinking my water like I should be, I won't be hungry. I hate water, so I drink Kellogs K2Os or Propels. The K2Os have protein in them (very little, but more that plain water) and the Propels have calcium and vitamins. Also I find that if I drink a protein drink in the morning and at about 4-5:00, I am satisfied throughout the day. Protein is the key to losing weight. Try protein bars for snacking on. I take a couple of bites of one and finish it later in the day, when the hunger monster comes back. If you had a lap band, you will not be able to eat a whole bar. Also be choosy when purchasing the protein bars-read the calorie and cholesterol. There is such a variety on the market. Some even have over 1,000 calories. It will satisfy your hunger. Good luck. We are all in this together and making pathways to those who are behind us.
   — Annie_Marie

June 11, 2009
I don't know what surgery you had, but with RNY I had no hunger for about 2 years...I still ate every three hours almost to the minute! Many dieticians/nuts, body trainers, doctors, etc believe it is healthier to eat several small meals rather than only 3 meals a day...So if you are hungry every few hours...eat! Just eat enough to not feel that hunger and make schedules so you do not begin grazing and over eating all day long. Make sure that at the end of the day you have not eaten more calories than you need (try a food journal/log)...Try to stay in your general caloric intake range...You will be fine! I've been eating about 6 meals daily for over 5 years and have had no trouble with weight loss and later weight maintenance/management! Try to spread out your meals to three hours and if you are still determined to only eat 3 times a day....then set a timer and try to go an extra 15 mintutes daily until you can get your body on a longer schedule with your 3 meals daily...Hope that helps...
   — .Anita R.




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