Question:
I am 5 days post-op & am still hungry? Why? Any suggestions to help?

I still think about food, dream about food you name it. I am currently on the Phase I liquid diet. I only crave silly things though. Not nesicarily things that are bad for me. I crave things like cottage cheese, pickles? Is this normal? Why do I get hunger this early in the game? It scares me. I kind of strugle with it now, I can't imagine what it will be like later. When someone else is eating or talking about food it kills me. What can I do to curb this? Please help!!    — Allison T. (posted on April 15, 2002)

April 14, 2002
I think that I was the same at first. But after I was able to eat regular food again. I realize how full I got. It has just went away-I mean I still crave whopper once in awhile. I actually went and bought one. I could only eat 1/4 of it and that was with no bread on it. This is a life change. I don't think I truly believed that until I started eating solid foods again. I think once in awhile you should still go and enjoy the "fun" foods. Just my thought on it. But keep on exercising and it will all be fine.
   — Sheila H.

April 15, 2002
Head hunger... got a lot easier to deal with for me as time went on and I was able to have little bits of what I was craving... </p> I craved anything solid while I was in the liquid phase, and I crave pickles a LOT now, just for the salt and garlic taste, they're my sweet substitute now.. I was sure I was doomed to failure when I was eatting at about 2 weeks post op.. but looking back now, compaired to what I was eatting, my smaller portions are an every day part of my life.. your pouch will help you, just learn to listen to it when it comes to being full.. When it really sets in about my eatting is when I go out to eat, and they bring me a "normal" portion... I'm starting to LIKE IT when the waitor asks me if the foods ok because "you haven't even touched your food" :) But know there is a light at the end of your tunnel, you won't always been in the liquid / puree diets.. and when you can eat again, you will eat to live, instead of live to eat.. :)
   — Elizabeth D.

April 15, 2002
I went though the exact same thing! When I craved something I would fix it for my children, stick my finger in it and taste it... I found out quick that my tastes have changed and it just didn't taste as good as I remembered. Once I was on solid food the hunger and cravings passed. I had a problem finding foods that actually tasted good... I craved and ate green olives, seemed that was the only thing that did tasted like I remembered. I used to HATE milk, now I drink several cups a day and when I want something sweet and cold, I pour milk over frozen blueberries, add a little splenda... yum...its soooo good. I am 9 weeks post-op and down 47 pounds.
   — Melissa W.