Re: Hunger

[Guest guest]

<< This is the first time I have heard anything about hunger after the

surgery. Is this normal? How long does it last and is it like being on a

diet and are you are so hungry you want to grab anything in the way of food

to satisfy it. >>

, I haven't been " hungry " but I've felt " empty " as a result of a couple

of things: drinking too much plain water and not taking all/enough of my

meds for tummy comfort (Prilosec, Carafate, Tums, Maalox). At first, my

brain thought it was hunger; but I quickly learned that it was just my new

tummy needing the soothing meds that Dr. R prescribes and/or the Tums or

Maalox he suggests we use. I am quite satisfied with my six to eight little

mini-meals every 24 hours. I'm staying within Dr. R's guidelines because I

have a LOT of weight to lose. Interestingly, the only thing I miss

(occasionally) is the chewing of food. When that happens, I nibble a

saltine. ly, many of the things that I used to enjoy and crave don't

interest me at all now. I'm told by other listers that this is pretty normal

among us after the MGB. Please don't fret about hunger, honey; after

surgery, we all take a little time getting used to what our new tummies are

trying to tell us.

<< is there anyway of getting through to get questions answered ( I am

calling from the west coast). >>

Try calling right at 9:10 or 9:15 am, Debbie's time in NC. She's probably

got her coat off by then and is able to answer her line. That's six am or so

your time, so you'll save money on the call!

<<Does anyone know the street address that I can have my physician send my

medical records to as the courier service will not take an envelop mailed to

a P.O.Box.>>

Dr. R's office address is:

Regional Surgical Associates

4301 Ben lin Blvd.

Durham, NC 27704

Debbie told me that she knows FED EX always delivers without problem to their

office, but sometimes the other fast services will sometimes miss the exact

location and have to call for directions.

You're on your way, ! Dee in MI.

[Guest guest]

<< You can call the toll free number which will put you

into a voice mail system that is typed directly into Dr. R's computer. >>

in Joisey! You clever dickens...I didn't know this! Thanks for the

tip! Dee in MI.

[Guest guest]

Everyone is different, but I also had no hunger, ever. I never touched the

jello, juices, broth, or anything else in the hospital. I actually felt

stuffed, I guess from the air in my belly. The only thing I wanted was ice

chips and water....seemed to be sooo thirsty. I also drank a lot of V8 when I

got home. To this day, I cannot recall being hungry and also have to remind

myself to eat.

Good Luck!

in Raleigh

MGB 11/22/99

11/22 270

01/13 230

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the hunger input. I'm 3 weeks over and for the past 2 days

I've been so hungry I would gnaw on my own arm if it didn't hurt so much!

It has really scared me. So many of you write about no hunger, small

portions filling you up, etc. and I feel like I could eat a horse. Even

eating or drinking juice stops the hunger for only a short while. I've been

pretty much eating anything I want as long as it's soft and I'm chewing it

well, so moving up to cream soups isn't the ticket for me. I am a water

drinker though. Pre-surgery I was a faithful 8-10 glasses a day person and

I've been trying to get in a couple of glasses a day (slowly). I'll try

laying off the water for awhile and see if the hunger goes away. Thanks

all.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the hunger input. I'm 3 weeks over and for the past 2 days

I've been so hungry I would gnaw on my own arm if it didn't hurt so much!

It has really scared me. So many of you write about no hunger, small

portions filling you up, etc. and I feel like I could eat a horse. Even

eating or drinking juice stops the hunger for only a short while. I've been

pretty much eating anything I want as long as it's soft and I'm chewing it

well, so moving up to cream soups isn't the ticket for me. I am a water

drinker though. Pre-surgery I was a faithful 8-10 glasses a day person and

I've been trying to get in a couple of glasses a day (slowly). I'll try

laying off the water for awhile and see if the hunger goes away. Thanks

all.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the hunger input. I'm 3 weeks over and for the past 2 days

I've been so hungry I would gnaw on my own arm if it didn't hurt so much!

It has really scared me. So many of you write about no hunger, small

portions filling you up, etc. and I feel like I could eat a horse. Even

eating or drinking juice stops the hunger for only a short while. I've been

pretty much eating anything I want as long as it's soft and I'm chewing it

well, so moving up to cream soups isn't the ticket for me. I am a water

drinker though. Pre-surgery I was a faithful 8-10 glasses a day person and

I've been trying to get in a couple of glasses a day (slowly). I'll try

laying off the water for awhile and see if the hunger goes away. Thanks

all.

[Guest guest]

don't give up. I had my surgery just this past monday Jan 10th. I've

already lost 18 lbs. I can't believe it. Yes I have had hunger. But just a

little liquid fills me up. It is going to be an adjustment. But it is one

that I must do. Will write more later. Just got home about 2 hours ago and

am really busy. We will get you all the info. hold on.

[Guest guest]

don't give up. I had my surgery just this past monday Jan 10th. I've

already lost 18 lbs. I can't believe it. Yes I have had hunger. But just a

little liquid fills me up. It is going to be an adjustment. But it is one

that I must do. Will write more later. Just got home about 2 hours ago and

am really busy. We will get you all the info. hold on.

[Guest guest]

don't give up. I had my surgery just this past monday Jan 10th. I've

already lost 18 lbs. I can't believe it. Yes I have had hunger. But just a

little liquid fills me up. It is going to be an adjustment. But it is one

that I must do. Will write more later. Just got home about 2 hours ago and

am really busy. We will get you all the info. hold on.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 01/14/2000 5:27:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Deckbound@... writes:

<< From: Deckbound@...

>>

Hi to you ,

I was at the clinic Saturday on Jan. 8, and remember you. I did not realize

that you were having surgery Monday. I am glad to see that it went well. I

am 51 years old and have given a lot of thought about how I will do in

surgery. It is encouraging to me to hear your success and I hope I can give

the same feedback after Jan. 24.

Sue L.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 01/14/2000 5:27:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Deckbound@... writes:

<< From: Deckbound@...

>>

Hi to you ,

I was at the clinic Saturday on Jan. 8, and remember you. I did not realize

that you were having surgery Monday. I am glad to see that it went well. I

am 51 years old and have given a lot of thought about how I will do in

surgery. It is encouraging to me to hear your success and I hope I can give

the same feedback after Jan. 24.

Sue L.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 01/14/2000 5:27:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Deckbound@... writes:

<< From: Deckbound@...

>>

Hi to you ,

I was at the clinic Saturday on Jan. 8, and remember you. I did not realize

that you were having surgery Monday. I am glad to see that it went well. I

am 51 years old and have given a lot of thought about how I will do in

surgery. It is encouraging to me to hear your success and I hope I can give

the same feedback after Jan. 24.

Sue L.

[Guest guest]

Smitty et al,

At 7 months post-op and 120 lbs gone, I experience hunger often. I teach

school so from 7:00 a.m. until 11:30 I can't eat and when 11:30 rolls around

I am starving. That makes me tend to eat too fast and I fill up almost

immediately - specially since I only have 20 minutes to eat. Then I can't

eat again until 3:00 and I am ravenous again. I do experience real hunger

for the first time in my life....before the surgery I ate all day so I never

knew what it was like to be really hungry. Some days I seem to eat a lot

and other days I hardly eat anything. I think for me it's the choices I

make that decide whether I'm going to be hungry again really soon. Protein

takes longer to digest that fruit or veggies and I don't eat a lot of

protein - meat and poultry still do not feel good in my stomach. I still

eat a lot of soup - Lipton Cup-a-Soup Hearty Chicken Noodle is my mainstay

and I eat a lot of beans - pinto, black-eye peas, black beans, etc. and that

is my main source of protein. I don't seem to get as hungry when I eat

them. Cheese also keeps me from getting so hungry but I don't eat it so

often because the fat makes me feel wierd sometimes. I can a whole bowl of

salad and feel full for an hour or so and then am ravenous.

Just sharing my experiences.....

Ellen Byrd

>From: SmittyX03@...

>Reply-To: MiniGastricBypassonelist

>To: MiniGastricBypassonelist

>Subject: Re: Hunger

>Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 09:46:50 EST

>

>It is funny that you mention this hunger thing. I am 3 weeks post op and a

>couple of days and up until yesterday I never felt hungry and in fact I had

>to make myself eat. All of a sudden yesterday I was sitting at work and

>this

>horrible feeling came over me like I could eat a horse. The hunger pain

>was

>so bad I felt I had to get some food in me or I was going to pass out. The

>funny thing is I had just ate lunch a couple of hours before. The same

>thing

>happened this morning when I was getting ready for work. In fact I had to

>chuckle a litttle cause I had not heard my stomach growl since having the

>surgery done. I was like what was that. Hopefully this does not last to

>long.

______________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Smitty et al,

At 7 months post-op and 120 lbs gone, I experience hunger often. I teach

school so from 7:00 a.m. until 11:30 I can't eat and when 11:30 rolls around

I am starving. That makes me tend to eat too fast and I fill up almost

immediately - specially since I only have 20 minutes to eat. Then I can't

eat again until 3:00 and I am ravenous again. I do experience real hunger

for the first time in my life....before the surgery I ate all day so I never

knew what it was like to be really hungry. Some days I seem to eat a lot

and other days I hardly eat anything. I think for me it's the choices I

make that decide whether I'm going to be hungry again really soon. Protein

takes longer to digest that fruit or veggies and I don't eat a lot of

protein - meat and poultry still do not feel good in my stomach. I still

eat a lot of soup - Lipton Cup-a-Soup Hearty Chicken Noodle is my mainstay

and I eat a lot of beans - pinto, black-eye peas, black beans, etc. and that

is my main source of protein. I don't seem to get as hungry when I eat

them. Cheese also keeps me from getting so hungry but I don't eat it so

often because the fat makes me feel wierd sometimes. I can a whole bowl of

salad and feel full for an hour or so and then am ravenous.

Just sharing my experiences.....

Ellen Byrd

>From: SmittyX03@...

>Reply-To: MiniGastricBypassonelist

>To: MiniGastricBypassonelist

>Subject: Re: Hunger

>Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 09:46:50 EST

>

>It is funny that you mention this hunger thing. I am 3 weeks post op and a

>couple of days and up until yesterday I never felt hungry and in fact I had

>to make myself eat. All of a sudden yesterday I was sitting at work and

>this

>horrible feeling came over me like I could eat a horse. The hunger pain

>was

>so bad I felt I had to get some food in me or I was going to pass out. The

>funny thing is I had just ate lunch a couple of hours before. The same

>thing

>happened this morning when I was getting ready for work. In fact I had to

>chuckle a litttle cause I had not heard my stomach growl since having the

>surgery done. I was like what was that. Hopefully this does not last to

>long.

______________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

beth,

Don't panic - I lost 19 lbs in six days and I was and have been fine!

Ellen

>From: Deckbound@...

>Reply-To: MiniGastricBypassonelist

>To: MiniGastricBypassonelist

>Subject: Re: Hunger

>Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 17:58:33 EST

>

>Dear Sue, where were you sitting from me on Sat/?? I have already lost 18

>lbs. and it scares me. 18 lbs in 5 days. Gosh I never expected

>this!!!!!

______________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

beth,

Don't panic - I lost 19 lbs in six days and I was and have been fine!

Ellen

>From: Deckbound@...

>Reply-To: MiniGastricBypassonelist

>To: MiniGastricBypassonelist

>Subject: Re: Hunger

>Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 17:58:33 EST

>

>Dear Sue, where were you sitting from me on Sat/?? I have already lost 18

>lbs. and it scares me. 18 lbs in 5 days. Gosh I never expected

>this!!!!!

______________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

thank you Ellen for sharing. I enjoyed your letter very much. Will be glad

when I can eat the Lipton Soups and Salad. Sounds wonderful. Bless you.

[Guest guest]

thank you Ellen for sharing. I enjoyed your letter very much. Will be glad

when I can eat the Lipton Soups and Salad. Sounds wonderful. Bless you.

[Guest guest]

thanks again ellen. I am calming down slowly but surely.

[Guest guest]

- hi. I am 4 weeks post-op next monday. I tried to stay on the liquids

and was very hungry and had no energy. So I started on some soft foods

earlier than 1 month. I ate some creamy soups, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.

Also I eat saltines a lot when I get hungry at work during the day. I have

lost 20 lbs so far, so it must be working.

Amy

[Guest guest]

Just my $.20, I am seven weeks post-op and I have always been a major food

addict. I love food. Esp. good food but any food, short of liver, has always

been okay by me. Pre-op I drank no less than a six-pack of Pepsi daily, chips,

candy, excellent restaurant meals, etc.

In all reality I didn't every have any hunger pre-op because I never allowed

myself to be hungry at all! If it had been a couple of hours I was thinking

about what I could get to eat next.

Post-op I did the liquids and FF yogurt (17-20 gms of sugar -- Dannon

Light,Yoplait Light, or comparable), for 10 days. I did other soft foods for

another week, (i.e., refried beans and cheese, cottage cheese, soft scrambled

eggs, etc.).

Since then I have not yet found anything I can't eat in moderation. I tend not

to eat too slowly just because my schedule is extremely hectic. Also,the local

bariatric surgeon mentioned at support group that eating too slowly will allow

you to eat significantly more than eating at a moderate pace and stopping when

you are very first full.

I have eaten Chinese, Mexican, Coney Island and Gyros. I try to eat low fat and

high protein and watch the carbohydrates. One of my most favorites is beef

jerky, (I order mine from Luther's @ www.jerkyusa.com), it is low-fat, (less

that 20%), no sugars, no carbohydrate, and 9 gms. protein in one piece!)

I have not had any dumping but I have not pushed the envelope either. After a

16 oz. glass of pure orange juice I felt a little blah but it had 29 gms. of

sugar in 6 or 8 oz. so that was quite a bit of sugar.

I drink fruit juices, (100% juice only), cold bottled water, Gatorade, tomatoe

and V-8. I try to drink constantly, when I am not eating. Regarding Gatorade,

it is a bit thick for me but I try to make it a regular part of my routine. The

fruit punch has only 50 calories and if I'm remembering correctly only 13 grams

of sugar, so that is significantly less than even our recommended FF yogurt.

The electorlyte content is so superior. That's why Dr. R recommends Gatorade.

Insofar as hunger, yes, I have found my stomach growling, but it's when I've

gone way too long w/o eating and I need to take a moment and eat something.

It's no big deal and it is immediately sated after a bite or two. I personally

think it is refreshing to feel hunger pangs. I feel them and know they are

genuine and respond. I bet my body's about to short circuit wondering why all

of a sudden I'm listening to it's signals.

Sincerely,

na

272 on DOS 12/27/99

232 on 02/14/00

27% of excess weight gone in less than 2 months!!!!

[Guest guest]

20 lbs! Thats great Amy. I had to give in and eat some oatmeal last

night, it was soooooo scrumptious! I will have to try some cottage

cheese. I liked it before, hope I can tolerate it now. Thanks

> ----------

> From: AmySOD@...[sMTP:AmySOD@...]

> Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2000 10:13PM

> To: MiniGastricBypassonelist

> Subject: Re: Hunger

>

> From: AmySOD@...

>

> - hi. I am 4 weeks post-op next monday. I tried to stay on the

> liquids

> and was very hungry and had no energy. So I started on some soft

> foods

> earlier than 1 month. I ate some creamy soups, cottage cheese,

> yogurt, etc.

> Also I eat saltines a lot when I get hungry at work during the day. I

> have

> lost 20 lbs so far, so it must be working.

> Amy

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Ann, Everyone is different. Right after my surgery I craved everything

imaginable. I went through a period of big big adjustment. My whole body

has changed. I no longer crave sweets at all or anything greasy. My big

treat is Tropicana Orange Juice in the Cartons in the Refrigeration section

at the grocery store. I crave it and it is loaded with potassium which gives

you energy. I have learned this as I have gone along. Will be 6 weeks post

op this coming Monday. Have lost 42 lbs. which is a lot. But I had about

20 lbs of fluid retention in my feet, legs and hands. Now it is all gone

and I feel so good about myself. It is just so wonderful and I still can't

believe this is really me. It takes a long time for things to really sink

into my brain. I am a slow learner, but once I get it through to my

subconscience then I am ok. I was tramatized as a child and I learned to

shut things out of my mind even good things. It is a life time persuit to

try and correct. Anyway I am making really fine progress and someday I will

be almost normal. (whatever that is??) lol

[Guest guest]

Ann, I am an MGB hopeful and you have raised a good question. And, frankly,

if I am going to be self pay I want to know that I will not regain my weight

after this procedure. I have no self control now, unless major brain surgery

is done along with this, I doubt I will have self control after the MGB. I

want to hear from people who have have this surgery a while ago. Hopefully

those who have gotten down to a realistic goal. Does the weight start going

back up? How do you maintain your goal weight instead of continuing to lose?

I have not received the patient manual yet and maybe some of this is

explained in there. I am also at a disadvantage because I am from out of

state and am unable to attend any support groups. Truthfully, this is my

last hope. I have written before and explained that everytime I regain the

weight I feel like I am a failure. It is very hard emotionally. I don't

know if I could handle regaining the weight again after the surgery. Please

reassure me.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Ann, I am an MGB hopeful and you have raised a good question. And, frankly,

if I am going to be self pay I want to know that I will not regain my weight

after this procedure. I have no self control now, unless major brain surgery

is done along with this, I doubt I will have self control after the MGB. I

want to hear from people who have have this surgery a while ago. Hopefully

those who have gotten down to a realistic goal. Does the weight start going

back up? How do you maintain your goal weight instead of continuing to lose?

I have not received the patient manual yet and maybe some of this is

explained in there. I am also at a disadvantage because I am from out of

state and am unable to attend any support groups. Truthfully, this is my

last hope. I have written before and explained that everytime I regain the

weight I feel like I am a failure. It is very hard emotionally. I don't

know if I could handle regaining the weight again after the surgery. Please

reassure me.

Sue