Question:
I am 8 wks post op but I find myself staying hungry

For the past week I have found myself eating more than in the beginning. I eat 2-3 regular meals now and 2 snacks. Could I be staying hungry since I am not doing protein shakes. I have not been able to find one that I like. When I eat they are small saucer size meals. A lot of times I don't eat everything on the saucer. I am finding myself eating every 2.5-3 hours. Is this normal?    — Colette B. (posted on October 16, 2003)

October 17, 2003
At 10 weeks, I found myself eating my three meals plus two or three snacks. My snacks were either nuts, jerky or peanut butter. I did fine. It's awfully difficult to eat the amount of food you need in the first months by just eating 3 meals. Just be sure that most of what you eat is high protein. I didn't eat any crackers, bread, potatos or other starchy foods til I was near goal and then only because I was sick and had to eat mashed potatoes and gravy (doctor's orders).
   — Patty_Butler

October 17, 2003
Yes, that is normal! In fact, I found that eating every few hours worked best for me and I know lots of others do the same (I still do at 20 mo post). Some can handle just the 3 squares a day, but I'm a believer in keeping the metabolism burning by furnishing it with fuel on a regular basis. You don't say what the meals consist of so be sure it is protein at every meal-the more protein and less carb, the less hungry you are between meals. The more dense the food, the less hungry. The longer you go after meals without drinking, the longer the feeling of saiety, which at 8 weeks is not as much of a concern as it will be further out.
   — Cindy R.

October 17, 2003
I am in "waiting mode", but during my consult the surgeon said I would be eating 5 - 6 small meals daily post-op.
   — anapple4theteacher