A question for "grads"

Well I feel like the ultimate odd ball - I was hungry hours after I woke up from surgery, and I stayed that way until about 3 weeks out when I was adding more substantial protein to my diet. From about 6 months on, I would only feel that serious kind of hunger when I went more than 5 hrs between meals. I think it may be a blood sugar thing? I have been having reactive hypoglycemia episodes (pre-op I had terribly high glucose). I now eat 5 small meals a day and this seems to have put the lid on that deep, gnawing, light-headed kind of hunger I got at times. And it seems to control my blood sugar better.

I'm over 5 years out. I hit my goal at about 10 or 11 months post op and have stayed there for 4 years. I never got hungry - my doctor said I wouldn't so I like that. I eat by the clock because I never feel "physical' hunger. I have head hunger just like anybody else but I've learned to recognize the difference. Not everyone gets that hungry feeling back - I've never let confuse "wanting" food with "needing" food. I now eat my protein forward meals because it's meal time or it's been a while since I've had a meal. I don't use cravings as hungry or stomach growling (yup, still makes noise like a newbie) to allow myself to eat. I keep busy and know that protein based meals will fill me up till the next meal so I don't think about snacking and don't need to unless I"ve done a ton of exercising. I'm not perfect, but I've been able to control my eating and don't get a hungry feeling like before. Myrtle.

I thank you all for your replies - - I never expected to hear from so many "long term successes"!! it is really gratifying to hear from all of you - -you've reassured me! You are all awesome and I hope I can be on THIS board in the future as a long term success. Karen