The feeling of hunger can indicate several things. During the time the stomach is healing from surgery, a patient's dietary regime usually consists of many small meals. Foods are consumed in liquid or pureed form. As the stomach heals , foods of a more solid consistency are added to the diet. Hunger may indicate that the stomach is healing and ready for an increase in volume and foods of a more solid consistency. Patients are asked to follow the dietary regime established by our dietitian when introducing new foods and increasing volumes of foods. Hunger may also be caused by two other things. First, a patient may be spacing meals too far apart. If so, the patient may need to eat more frequently. An eatin g schedule will be provided by our dietitian. Second, a patient may be eating foods that do not keep the pouch full. Once the stomach has healed from surgery, a patient should eat foods that are high in nutrition and take time to digest. Eating foods high in fat or sugar and/or that empty from the pouch quickly usually leads to the feeling of hunger.

What if I feel hungry?