Why do I have hunger pains after my sleeve surgery?

Question

I had the surgery done 5 days ago and I'm always weak and hungry. When can I start eating more than liquids?

Salvador Ramirez, MD · Answer

Hello. 
After a gastric surgery your stomach is swollen and you can have gastritis. Gastritis causes hunger pains. That's why we suggest to take an anti-acid medication at least for one month after surgery. 
When you start a more complete diet, the suggestion to avoid that is to eat every 3 or 4 hours, as leaving the stomach empty for long periods can cause those symptoms.

Ali Solmaz, MD · Answer

Hunger pains and weakness after your gastric sleeve surgery are fairly common, especially in the first few days. Your stomach is still healing, and the nerves that control hunger might be in a state of adjustment. Sometimes, acid reflux or irritation from the surgery can feel like hunger. Since you're on a liquid diet right now, your caloric intake is low, which could contribute to weakness and feelings of hunger. Additionally, it can take some time for the production of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, to decrease fully after the surgery, so you might still feel hunger for a few weeks. Another possibility is dehydration, as thirst is often mistaken for hunger, and it's essential to stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids.
In terms of when you can start eating more than liquids, most people follow a four-phase diet progression after surgery. For the first 1-2 weeks, you're typically on clear and full liquids, which can include broths, protein shakes, and sugar-free Jell-O. After 2-3 weeks, you move on to pureed or soft foods, such as blended soups and yogurt. By weeks 3-4, you can start incorporating soft solids like scrambled eggs or cottage cheese. After about a month, you'll be able to eat regular foods, but you'll still need to be mindful of portion sizes.
Since you're only five days post-op, you're still in the clear/full liquid phase. If you're feeling weak or hungry, try increasing your protein intake with shakes or broths, and make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day. If it's not true hunger but more discomfort, it could be acid or irritation from the surgery, which may be eased with antacids, though you should check with your doctor first.

Pablo Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello, I am sorry to hear you are struggling with this issue. It is normal to have some degree of abdominal discomfort during the first few days following bariatric surgery. It is possible the pain you feel is related to acid production. Your bariatric team should have prescribed medication like PPIs and anti-acids in order to help relieve these symptoms. In relation to feeling weak, I would advice you make sure you are drinking a good amount of fluids daily, as it coud be you are experiencing dehydration.

Why do I have hunger pains after my sleeve surgery?

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Why do I have hunger pains after my sleeve surgery?

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