Question:
I am 1 week post-op and I want to eat a huge meal with lots of taste, Is this normal?

Is this normal, and what can I do to get past this? The protein and water aren't cutting it.    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 24, 2001)

November 24, 2001
It is completely normal. While the surgery helps our bodies it does not help our brains. You will probably find yourself mourning food but it happens to just about everybody that has this surgery. You will probably find yourself asking why did I do this? The weight loss and better health are worth it in th long run. Do not despair it gets easier with time. Best of luck to you...
   — Angela H.

November 24, 2001
When I was first out of surgery, I craved things like tomatoes, chili, etc. Things with lots of spice and flavor. I think it's normal. I ate TONS of tomato slices in the first few weeks(grill them in a toaster oven and remove the skin, put on some lite salt and balsamic vinegar). Well, not tons. I could probably eat 2-3 slices off a medium tomato, but they tasted soooo good! And they were soft enough after grilling not to bug my pouch.
   — PT LawMom

November 24, 2001
I'm with you, girl! I am six days out and my doctor has me on clear liquids for 6 days, then full liquids, etc. for about 6 weeks. I want to eat steak, crackers, etc. It is not my stomach that is hungry though it is my mouth and my head. So I sympathize. It also scares me that I feel this way cuz I don't want to screw this up.
   — Debbie H.

November 24, 2001
I too suffered from a form of head hunger...I am ten days post, and suffered from "chew hunger". My teeth were bored, they wanted to chew something. I finally gave in and chewed a small bit of chicken, what would have been consdered just barely a bite just a week ago, but, the chewing action helped. And I chewed until it pretty much was liquified anyway. That one little bit helped me so much. And I stayed satisfied for hours and hours from that little bit. I realize that at this point, my doctor still wants me on liquids, but, at the same time, the liquids were not making me satisfied and I was getting crazy from it. Now, I feel much much better. I certainly do not intend to do too much like that, but you have to take care of the psychological as well as the physical. Thanks for listening...Love to all you "losers" out there--Christine
   — Mustang

November 24, 2001
Eventually you WILL be able to eat more. But you have head hunger. I also found chewing helped and am ashamed to admit I never did follow the diet. Pureed became eraser size bits chewed very well.
   — bob-haller

November 24, 2001
I am the original poster of this question. I should probably have added that I am on pureed foods, and it isn't like I'm not eating. I can eat up to 2 oz at a time. I feel like such a loser (not in the good sense), and I am constantly crying because of this.
   — [Anonymous]

November 24, 2001
I basically came out of anesthesia wanting to eat. I ate some babyfood doctored with spices, lots of light (no sugar added) yogurt, and since my whole family was at the house and decided to have a great big barbeque, I had some barbeque chicken processed in the blender. I was able to tolerate protein bars to a certain extent. I think Protein21 was the one that I considered palatable. The one thing you do HAVE to remember is to measure. I had to physically only take what I could have on a plate or bowl. I didn't get the full sensation everyone talked about until it was too late. The surgeon later told me that was due the fact that when you feel full you still have food coming in from the esophagus.
   — Jennifer M.

November 24, 2001
My surgeon actually says that we can CHEW anything we want early post op, but we aren't allowed to swallow it. It really is the taste that we are wanting anyway. I did it a couple of times and it really does help. I chewed and chewed and then just spit it into the sink. I know someone that wanted flavor, so she licked the salt off of Dorito's! I say whatever works to get you over this most difficult time. When I was allowed food, I also wanted something spicey or sour. Nothing bland or definitely not something sweet. It really will get better. I would recommend chewing to get flavor from something early post and then be sure to spit it out. Shelley
   — Shelley.