Ep 23: Q&A | I Can Eat More and Feel Hungry All the Time — Have I Stretched My Sleeve?
This post is a companion to Episode 23 of the Bariatric Nutrition Coach Podcast. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
This is one of the most common questions I receive around the 6-12 month mark: "I can eat more than I used to and I feel hungry a lot — have I stretched my sleeve?" For the vast majority of people, the answer is no. Here is what is actually happening.
How Bariatric Surgery Works Over Time
When you first have surgery, the tool is working at its most powerful. Hunger hormones are suppressed, appetite drops, and even small amounts of food create fullness. But over time — as expected — these metabolic changes gradually ease. Your stomach can naturally accommodate more food. This is not because you have done something wrong. It is how bariatric surgery works over time. Between 6 and 12 months post-surgery, many people really notice this shift.
Is It a Bad Thing?
Actually, being able to eat a bit more over time is helpful. It makes it easier to reach your protein goals consistently. It means you can start getting more whole grains, fruit, and vegetables into your diet. Your meals can look more balanced and enjoyable.
What Can Compound the Feeling
What I often see alongside the natural return of appetite is that carbohydrate intake quietly increases while protein intake quietly decreases. Carbohydrates do not keep you satisfied for as long as protein does, so you feel hungry sooner. This, combined with the natural return of appetite, can make people feel like they are eating much more — when really the issue is the composition of what they are eating.
Going back to tracking protein for a few days, checking your eating schedule, and refocusing on the protein bites ratio can make a significant difference.
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