Question:
I'm a new post-op..why do I still crave things & not feel satisfied on minimal food?

This is really starting to worry me. I have some friends that all ready had this surgery months ago tell me that they no longer crave things like pizza, sweets, etc. like they use to. I am only 1 week post-op but I would KILL for a piece of pizza or a cookie right now!!! WHY is that? Is this normal & will it go away??? Please help I'm really starting to get worried & wonder why I went through all of this to still crave things like I did. What can I do to overcome these cravings? Sometimes if someone is eating something that sounds good to me I actually have to remove myself from the room. I can't live like that forever! I have to face it sometime? Do I have no self control? What is wrong with me?    — Allison T. (posted on April 20, 2002)

April 19, 2002
You have plenty of self-control, so don't say that to yourself. At 1 week post-op you are probably still on a liquid diet. I'm 2 weeks post-op now and I'm not craving food as badly because I've started a pureed diet. But at 1 week, that's all I could think about. Your cravings will probably lesson as you start eating normal food again. When I'm feeling really hungry, it always suprises me that my 1/2 cup of food is going to satisfy that hunger. Just eat slow. The one thing I've been dealing with since surgery is that food used to be my friend and now I have to find a new friend. It's almost like a death in the family. I've also started therapy to try and understand what started my problems with food and why I abuse my body with it. Start looking for other ways to fill your time, and hang in there, it should get better. Good luck and God bless!!
   — Christine L.

April 19, 2002
Allison, be patient with yourself! The "head hunger " is normal. We spent many, many years eating whatever we pleased. Then when we suddenly can only have liquids/pureed, our head doesn't like it very much. Each day it will get a little easier. When you can have them, you will most likely find that the foods you crave don't taste the same since surgery. I'm 4 months out with an Open DS and can eat anything. But, most of my pre-surgery favorite foods just don't even appeal to me anymore. Good luck, it will all get better and better.
   — grammie5

April 20, 2002
Allison, </p> What you're experiencing is very normal. If you read my profile I couldn't stand watching TV for a while because of the suggestive advertising. It got much easier for me as time went on and now that I'm eatting "normal" foods I seldom have the want for things I shouldn't have. I can't say never, but a LOT less than what it was, it just took a while. They didn't do surgery on the brain hon, that you have to do yourself! If you feel like you're letting yourself down try individual counseling (a lot of post-ops do, doesn't mean you're crazy or a failure) or a good local support group can also be very helpful at keeping you on track! :) Good luck on your journey!
   — Elizabeth D.

April 20, 2002
Hi Allison, You sound like me! The week after surgery I seemed obsessed with food! I could have died for a salad from Olive Garden (I normally could care less about salad)! I wanted to eat everything in sight! I stayed with my sisters and they kept ordering out. I too, had to leave the room. This obsession left in a few weeks! I think I wrote about this on my profile as well as some mistakes I've made on the way. It may or maynot be useful info for you!Good luck on your journey!
   — lovebug2

April 20, 2002
I was the same way for a few weeks after my surgery. When I was able to finally eat solid food, I did have a few bites of everything that I had craved. I found that it did not even tast good anymore! I dont even like cheesburgers any more and I lived on them before. I also loved rice and cant stand it now. I think it is a mental thing. It was the worst when commercials would come on tv. It all looked sooooo good. Just wanted to let you know that you are normal, and you cant change your mental state of mind over night. It takes time to adjust to your new lifestyle. It has all been worth it so far so hang in there.
   — Heidi B.

April 20, 2002
What are you eating now? Food? Liq's? I found that protein shakes kill any carb or junk craving I have. Any little amount of carb (check your labels for sugar, flour, etc.) just sets off my meter and makes me crave the bad stuff. If I do a protein shake, I don't even think about it. You may not be able to tolerate it at this soon out but pay attention to your body and you'll see I'm right. Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.