Will I still have food cravings post op??

I read some posts here about hunger and cravings. The people in the WLS support group I attended said they felt satisfied as never before. I'm scheduled for surgery in about 6 weeks, and want to know the *real deal*! I'm sure it's not the same for everyone, but what are the chances I'll still have the same cravings and enormous appetite?

It's different for everyone, but I had 'head hunger' and cravings pretty bad for the first 3 months or so, then it seemed to go away. You get used to your diet changes and your body has stopped craving the carbs. Also, the further out you get the more variety of foods and even the extra ounce or 2 you can eat really do make a difference. At 5 months out I feel like I can eat a 'normal' meal (4 to 6 oz. depending on what I'm eating), and I rarely feel hungry. The first 6 weeks were the hardest for me. Avoid the TV as much as you can because those pizza and fast food commercials can be agony! But the beauty of the surgery is you really can't cheat for the first couple of months - it's pretty much physically impossible. You will know right away if you over-eat or eat something you shouldn't because you will feel it or throw it back up. And as time goes on it does get easier. I admit I didn't really hear much about the cravings when I was pre-op and it was a bit of a shock to me, but it's something that passes. Pamela

Pamela - Thanks for your candor. I really appreciate hearing it straight from you.

Pamela: You have no idea how much you have helped me. I have "head cravings" like crazy and only 9 or 10 days after surgery. The TV drive me nuts!! Commerials are just terrible!! This just has to get better. I hope to follow you and lose this problem in about 3 months. Thanks for giving me hope!!

Well, I have heard alot of people say that they don't. I am almost 5 months out and I do get a little head hunger,( they don't operate on your brain) But the reason it works is when I eat slow I feel satisfied and when I get full, food doesn't look good any more. I don't feel deprived and still want to eat the whole pizza like before. It is just different than a diet, you will see, The first 3 months is the hardest, just remember it will get better. A couple of times I had head hunger and I chewed up a couple of fries and spit them out. I did that alot the first 3 months with alot of food cause I was afraid to swallow it. Some people may find that weird but it worked for me. I even did that with pizza. I just kept alot of napkins by my plate. I don't have to do that anymore, I eat a little and I am fine. You really just have to go with the flow and learn what works for you. Email me anytime!