I am right there with your spouse - currently day #9 post surgery (VSG) and I have definitely had some physical hunger. Growling stomach, and the works- AND, relief of this after having protein shake. It is not the same as prior to surgery for me- I would say less intense and easily remedied with a small volume. So interesting this experience! Before surgery I wondered so much what it would be like.
Currently I'm on bariatric full liquid diet with recommended 4-6 ounces of protein drink 4 times per day, plus 8 ounces salty broth, with clear non-caloric liquids in-between for goal of at least 64 ounces total per day. From the first day after surgery, I have had no troubles with the liquids - it was recommended to me to take one hour to drink 8 ounces, but comfortable for me has been up to 16 ounces per hour. I do not strive for this higher volume, but with sipping, just sometimes have found that this much fluid goes down. The protein goes down slower and makes me feel full much longer.
In the time up until surgery (which was about 9 months for me) I have tried to think about how I feel in various ways with physical hunger vs head hunger, and have decided that any sensation in my abdomen I tend to interpret first as hunger. Drinking my protein right now by the clock more than body sensations has been helpful.
Something different for me that started with the restricted pre-surgery diet that I am interested if anyone else has experienced is I am waking up at 330 in the morning and feel like I am pretty much done sleeping. Fall asleep no problem, and feel like it is good quality sleep up until then. Have usually had about 5 hours sleep at that time, and I have always previously been an 8hours/night kind of girl. I usually hope to return to dreaming for about 90 min and then get up at 5. I do feel hungry at that time, but don't know if that is what is waking me up. Feel good through the day, not tired, not napping. Not feeling depressed or anxious. Tonight, for an experiment, I am going to drink my last protein of the day right before bed to see if that help.
Any thoughts on this, friends?
