[Shelby1970]

I have heard many people say that drinking water makes them feel full. To me, the more water I drink, the more hungry I feel. I am not sure if it is just "head hunger", but I feel really hungry. The good thing, is that since my surgery, I have the will power not to act on the feeling....but I often wonder....WHY???

Doc, Is there any explanation for this??

[kimtindall]

that is strange to me, I know that I get really full when I drink a lot of water. I have just started drinking right up to the time that I eat, just so that I know that I am full. I suppose that Doc will be on shortly and try to clarify this for you.

[Christy0283]

That is an answer I would like to hear. When I drink water, I feel pretty full. Maybe Doc will have an answer for you.

[kbfrmaz]

Shelby- I hear ya!! Even before surgery drinking water made me feel more hungry- it sorta gave me a pit in my stomach and made me feel like food would help it feel better. Now after surgery it is similar- for some reason though I can drink crystal light or tea and not feel this way- but plain water makes me feel a little nauseous and hungry. Maybe it's in my head, but have you tried flavored water like crystal light instead? Or Propel?

[greensgirl19]

I never drink water now because it tastes funny to me (I used to love it), but whenever I drink anything I feel real full real fast. I can't wait to hear what doc says about this.

[Shelby1970]

I have tried Crystal Light, but it is just too sweet for me. Everyday I drink a liter of water with a protein bullet mixed in it. It isn't too sweet, kinda tastes like watered down kool aid and doesn't make me hungry. However, whenever I drink plain water I will begin feeling hungry, even when I know I shouldn't me. This also happened to me before surgery. KB, I am glad to hear that you have felt this too. Lately I have been working very hard to make sure I get my 64oz of fluids in and have really been realizing how much more prominent the feeling of hunger is. Glad I'm not alone in that feeling.

[Cheryl24]

You might try add extra water to the crystal light to cut down on the sweetness.

[qt82699]

i think it is just head hunger you are experiencing, but lets hear what doc has to say...

[mlg78]

I'd like doc's input as my bariatric handbook from my surgeon says to stop drinking water 30 minutes before I eat...and don't eat for another 30 minutes after I'm done. I'm confused.

[DocSanae]

If you drink water while there's still some food left in the pouch, it will push the food out so, you will start feeling hungry.
The water drinking instructions for mlg is the basic instructions most surgeons give, though other surgeons say, drink right up to your meal, then wait until one hour after. In any case, go by what your surgeon tells you.

Now, back to the original Q.
One thing that may be the cause is osmolarity. Never heard of the word? The *density* of fluids. This affects the absorbtion of fluids in and out of the cells, tissues and organs. Plain water is low in osmolarity, so is absorbed faster, as if the osmolarity on the receiving end is higher, as balance works in trying to equalize the osmolarity. The faster it is absorbed, the earlier you will feel hungry. The more *dense* the fluid is, the longer it will take to absorb. The speed of getting the fluid in will also affect this, as if you drink faster than the absorbtion rate, obviously, water will stay around in your digestive system longer, and hold off the hunger.

Keep in mind, there will be individual differences to this, of course.

The above is what comes to my mind right now. Let me see if I can dig up some stuff other than this.