Will I Feel Hungry After Bariatric Surgery?
As popular as it is, there are many misconceptions about bariatric surgery. You’d be surprised how many people think that surgical weight loss techniques eliminate hunger, or involve direct fat removal. The fact is, you will always feel hungry if you haven’t had enough to eat, but bariatric surgery can change the way you eat for the better.
The weight loss surgery team at our Tijuana, Baja California practice would like to consider hunger and how bariatric patients experience and manage their hunger.
What Causes Sensations of Hunger?
Hunger is a natural sensation that’s important for survival. When you feel hungry, that’s your body telling you that more calories are required to function properly.
Hunger in and of itself is not a bad thing. However, eating the wrong foods in response to sensations of hunger can lead to weight gain, and is one of many potential factors in obesity and morbid obesity. Bariatric surgery will help you lose weight, but it will not eliminate hunger.
Bariatric Surgery Makes You Feel Fuller Faster
A key benefit of bariatric surgery is that it makes you feel fuller faster. This is because of the diminished size of the stomach pouch. With a smaller stomach, your hunger will pass as the stomach gets filled with food. It’s simple enough, and it’s one of the keys to the success of surgical weight loss procedures.
Small Meals Throughout the Day
To help stave off hunger throughout the day and keep the weight off, bariatric surgery patients will have multiple small meals throughout the course of a day. This helps sate hunger pangs as they arise, but also prevents patients from overeating. A little bit many times each day will be very helpful for helping you feel full and curbing hunger.
Keep in mind that skipping meals is a bad idea. Answer your hunger with healthy, nourishing food rather than ignoring it.
Avoid Eating Simple Carbs and Fatty Foods
Sugars, white breads, and other types of simple carbohydrates have a tendency to increase sensations of hunger, even if you eat a lot of these foods. The same goes for fatty foods, which help satisfy our body’s cravings.
Your diet after bariatric surgery should be fueled by a lot of protein. When hunger strikes, have protein instead of fats or simple carbs. You can still have carbohydrates, but consider more complex carbs, and to have these in moderation as your body allows.
Drink Water Between Meals
Bariatric surgery patients are told to avoid drinking during meals, as this can take up stomach capacity and lead to some problems with nutrition. While water is a no-no during meals, you should be staying well hydrated throughout the rest of the day. Drinking water will keep you feeling full and will also help your body function properly.
Chew Slowly and Savor Your Food
Chewing thoroughly and going slow with a meal is a great way to sate your hunger and avoid overeating. This is also an important means of preventing dumping syndrome and indigestion. Be show eat slowly to help your body properly register an end to hunger. You’ll eat just enough and feel better throughout the day.
Contact Tijuana Bariatrics
For more information about weight loss surgery, your health, and your diet, be sure to contact the weight loss surgery experts of Tijuana Bariatrics. We look forward to your visit and discussing these matters in much greater detail.