[Rachael]

I've heard a lot of you who have had surgery say you have days when you feel ravenously hungry, some have even given into that urge. Didn't you have that before surgery - or does it feel different somehow after surgery?

That whole thing has me absolutely terrified. I mean, that is the problem I have now, hunger that just doesn't seem to be met. It isn't like I thought that having surgery would magically make it go away, but if I have trouble with that now, and surgery doesn't make it any different, what is the point? If I can't control it now, why will I be able to control it then? And if I could control it now, why have the surgery?

Again, I wasn't hoping for magic, I know better than that, but I thought of it in terms of a "physical obsticle" that would not allow me to eat.

Does that kind of hunger feel the same after or does it somehow feel different?

[Trulykath]

It's weird....initially, you aren't hungry at all, and you have to determine whether it's "HEAD" hunger or actual hunger.....I'm still hardly EVER hungry nearly 4 months out, but we all eat for different reasons (depression, happiness lonely, boredom etc)....I have found that when I "THINK" I'm hungry, it's usually a sign of boredom.....Also, I know how GOOD some things used to taste, so I've labeled my sometimes hunger as a longing for some of the things I used to have (Like a FUDDRUCKERS cheeseburger...or a simply a sandwich with 2 slices of bread...I KNOW THAT TASTED GOOD!!!)

The hunger I had before surgery was a growling demand....now it's more of a "I feel kinda empty" feeling...it's really hard to describe...we know we need to eat SOMETHING, and it's now about making the right choices when we do!

[fr1endly2]

well for me when i get into that bottomless pit mode were i cant control . its from carbs and when i detox and rid them that eases up. Some of the processed junkie foods are specifically designed to do that too.
FOR me if i keep the carbs in line i do fine.
JUST now were i am i can eat more its not always as easy.
early out i just didnt want to eat and can only do small portions
so it was easier

[BreeChick]

I don't the hunger signal as apparently my vagus nerve was severed. But I get head hunger where I "want" to eat. Which I always have to look hard at and see what that is about. The surgery isn't a fix it all when it comes to the emotional issues regarding the "why we ate" instead of living life and dealing with emotions.

Therapy is a great way to start the process before surgery.

[not quite Barbie]

Rachel,
So far, it feels different. I don't have that ravenous hunger that won't let me think of anything else. I have a hollow, empty feeling that signals my pouch is empty and I have to decide if I should eat or wait.

I've had a few days where I eat and get full, but a half hour later I'm looking for food again, but I can ignore it and it goes away. I think Lisa is right, it's when I've been eating too many carbs that I get the hungries. And even if I do give in and binge - I can only eat a small amount and it has to be good stuff because too much fat or carbs is going to make me feel sick so "Yes, it's worth it to get the surgery".

[Rachael]

Thanks all of you, and THANKS NQ Barbie - that is exactly what I needed to hear!

[MsVickie]

Mine tells me when im empty. Its a very empty feeling for me. As far as full..... its not like busting at the seams full like I used to get. Its like ok if you take that next bite im gonna come back and visit you in a few minutes.

[DocSanae]

My two cents here.

I think part of the reason post ops panic about the hunger issue is fear.
Fear that feeling hungry, being able to eat seemingly constantly will get them back to where they were pre op, especially since you all are expounded into your brains that you MUST change your eating habits along with surgery, OR ELSE.
The actual hunger that you experience, and the amount that you actually eat, is far far less than what it was like pre op, but the fear that is constantly there that "Will it work for me?" makes the hunger and appetite seem stronger/greater than it actually is. Akin to butterflies in your stomach when you are nervous, you know?

Everything that I have read ever since this board came into being makes me believe that no matter what, the hunger you feel, and the amount you can eat at one sitting, is within the same limits as with the *normies*. Unless you start breaking and keep breaking the pouch rules, and choose the wrong kinds of food, you will do fine. Which also is the same with people with a normal stomach and normal range weight. What they do to keep their weight stable is to eat modarate amounts of the good kinds of food in good balanace. Of course they get hungry from time to time, but at the same time, they can *control* the hunger, they don't have to eat the moment they feel hungry, or food comes within their sight. The physical part of "hunger" is partly fixed with the surgery for sure. It's the gut reaction to food and the behavior surrounding it that needs to be fixed by the post op to insure final success, and it's this part that has everyone scared, wondering if they can see it through, which makes the hungries worse than they actually are.

As I said, that's what I conclude from reading everyone's posts on this subject, and it isn't something that has been studied/analyzed/proven medically/scientificallly, but my two cents, anyway.

[Rachael]

Well DocSanae, your 2 cents is always worth a million bucks. I'm not even there and I'm terrified already because I KNOW I have a problem with it like that now. I was afraid that because I have this problem now, it would make me a poor candidate for WLS, but my doctor said actually the opposite. She said it would put the pouch in place while I work on this.

I think that is why hypnosis worked so well for me. The problem isn't my stomach, it is my head. I intened to use the hyponsis along with surgery because I found it to be such a valuable tool. But I need the surgery for the physical assurance and limitation. Drastic and sad to say, but not as sad as knowing that and not doing it.

[qt82699]

i agree with friendly it seems like when i eat carbs i am hungry all day, i have really been trying to down more water to fill this hole sometimes it helps sometimes it dosnt, also gum helps alot sometimes