Question:
I am 2 weeks post op and find that I am hungry, and actually interested in food.
To my dismay, my food triggers can still be set off. I really thought that even the thought of food would make me ill. Unfortunately, I think about food and find that I am truly hungry. I am heartbroken over this. I thought that was over for me. Please tell me someone else battles this as well. Thanks — midaem (posted on January 25, 2007)
January 25, 2007
It's the head thing. I was exactly the same way. I was not eating enough
and was hungry all the time and wanting the foods that I used to eat. I
finally got smart, drank my liquids and never allowed myself to feel hunger
again. Six weeks later, I am fine, and food is just not that attractive to
me!
Good luck, it does get better, hang in there, Diane
— Diane C.
January 25, 2007
Check the sugar grams on every single thing you are taking in. Juice?
Milk? Baby food? Sugar can light off an appetite like nothing you've ever
seen. Keep the sugar to the single digits per meal and that will help.
Are you using protein supplement? How many g protein to how many g sugar
(including whatever you mix it with)? And finally, is it FLAVORS you crave
or TEXTURES?
— vitalady
January 25, 2007
I totally understand! I even posted a similar question on OH and got a lot
of helpful answers. The way my surgeon explained that problem to me is
just that everyone is different. Some people have no appetite (i know
some) after surgery and then there are us who is always hungry. I thought
maybe it was because I was exercising too much and he said no it's just the
individual. But don't worry it will pass. You just have to keep in mind
how small the stomach is now so whatever you put in there let it be your
protein drink or something with protein keep you satisfied. When you are
able to eat more you'll see that even if you get hungry and eat something
(good or bad) your stomach will only allow a very minimal amount and thats
a lot to be thankful for!
— fre4christ
January 25, 2007
Hello Joan, thanks for your comments. It doesn't surprise me at all that
you have an interest in food, I am surprised that it has taken two weeks
for it to kick in. Obesity, in my opinion, is a head issue with a body
consequence. Your head will try and trick you every day that you need more
food, you are gonna die without more food, that you are destroying yourself
by not eating. It is a strong delusion that your brain is fighting with
you. Drink warm tea, something soothing and give your pouch something warm
and comforting to sooth it, but don't listen to your head. You have a
great tool that you can use for your health benefit, but make no mistake
girl, the battle has just begun. Surgery is NOT a miracle, it is a tool.
Use it wisely and it will help you a lot, be a fool with it, and you will
be sorry you every decided to have surgery. The choice is still yours,
every day. Fight for it, and train your mind to think of other things,
learn a new habit like reading, or study nutrition or something that will
focus your enery on training yourself for these new changes. Best to you,
Patricia P
— Patricia P
January 26, 2007
I had the same problem, until I realized that I was "mentally"
hungry... realizing my emotional tie with food. It will pass... it gets
better for me every day... I'm 4 weeks post op and once in a while I feel
like I'm hungry... but I'm not really. :)
— airbear762000
January 27, 2007
Joan... I wasn...no, am... just like you. I had an appetite since I left
the hospital. I never lost an interest in food. It doesn't mean that I
cannot eat well and I have lost 105 lbs (now happy at 1 1/2 yrs. out,
weight 145, size 6/8). I still feel hungry and when I do I eat. Don't be
heartbroken over not losing interest in food. Do what you needs to do...eat
well, protein, water, vitamins, you still won't be able to eat MUCH when
you are hungry and that, to me is the best part, you can still enjoy food
and get to your goal! Best wishes.
— SteffieBear15
January 27, 2007
I had lap rny on 02/21/06 and am down to about 140 lbs, from a high of 266
18 months ago.
About two weeks after my surgery we had a birthday party for my sister's
grandson, with lasagna, garlic bread, and ice cream cake. I smiled and
drank my protein shake while the entire family filled their plates at least
once, many had seconds (as I would have in the past), but it really
bothered me a lot. I knew I couldn't eat any of the food, but I wanted it
so badly! I was miserable and resentful, and scared that my surgery was all
for nothing. I knew I wasn't really hungry, but I sure felt as though I
was. Only a small bit of willpower and a lot of fear of what would happen
if I had even a few bites of the heavy, greasy food so soon after my
operation got me through the day.
I've found over the last year that it does get easier to avoid the stuff
that made me so heavy in the first place. At this point I've never dumped
and can eat anything I want, though my diet is almost exclusively protein,
fruit and vegetables.
I still don't really get hungry, even when I know I need to eat to get my
nutrients, but I do tend to keep the liquids pouring in all day, except
before and after a meal. If for some reason I haven't had anything to drink
for awhile (and it's not my normal mealtime), any food will tempt me, but
getting a mug of decaf or glass of Crystal Light will make the feeling go
away. My big treat of the day is an apple (peeled) when I get home from
work.
I can't say that it will always be easy, and I'm still pretty new to this
myself, but you might want try drinking as much as you can tolerate when
the hunger hits you. If clear liquids don't seem to help, and you are
allowed protein shakes at this point, try drinking an extra one.
Of course, if your doctor has a nutritionist on staff, please consult with
him/her before taking my advice or anyone else's.
— packrat
March 9, 2007
Hi...I hope all is going well for you by now. I agree with a few of the
other comments made here to your question. I had surgery 06/10/02, I
weighed 323 lbs at the time of my surgery. I have reached my goal and have
been around goal weight for over 3 years now.
I realized when I had the surgery that I wasn't hungry. I didn't want to
eat...why, you might wonder...well I never did have an issue with food as
being comfort for me. If you used food as a comfort when upset or whatever
your food comfort trigger is. Maybe you are experiencing an I NEED COMFORT
and your brain is telling you that you are hungry, when in reality you
aren't. I never knew after surgery that I was hungry and had to force
myself to eat when my family had meals. So I had to struggle with not
wanting to eat. Just make sure you follow your pouch rules, drink plenty of
water/liquids and do your walking or other exercise that you have been
advised to do. Things will work out for you...Just remember you have been
given one of the best weightloss tools available...use it WISELY!!!
— Deb S.
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