Cravings

[Hiraeth 515]

I had my sleeve done on August 4th of this year, and I'm already having cravings for real food. I guess I figured that since I'm not much of a snacker, the cravings wouldn't come back for a while. I am not feeling physical hunger, only mental hunger. Since physical hunger is the growling, cramping pain in the stomach, and mental hunger is actual appetite cravings. I know that this surgery is a tool and not necessarily a fix. Right now I'm craving pizza and Ramen noodles, lol. I've never been much of a sweet eater, unless I'm in the mood for something sweet. I've always been a Pasta, pizza, cheese, and bread eater. It is easier to ignore these cravings since I don't feel actual hunger in my stomach. But, while I'm not hungry, I also don't feel full or satisfied. Is there a possibility that since I'm still on the liquid diet that maybe I'm having these cravings because I'm not allowed to eat real food yet? Please share your opinions and experiences!

[trekker954 421]

Its probably because you haven't had real food yet. Aren't you still on shakes. I've been on shakes for two weeks now, Clear liquids today, tomorrow surgery and then another two weeks of only liquid. I'd imagine, we all crave real food. I am hopeful once we move to mushies/soft the new pouch will work plus we should find satisfaction is "real" Protein vs. liquid form.

[sleevenv 483]

You're right, it's head hunger. Good for you to recognize it. Use this honeymoon phase to learn to deal with it. At a year out, when the honeymoon is over and the real work begins, it's a lot harder to silence head hunger.

[Hiraeth 515]

Its probably because you haven't had real food yet. Aren't you still on shakes. I've been on shakes for two weeks now, Clear Liquids today, tomorrow surgery and then another two weeks of only liquid. I'd imagine, we all crave real food. I am hopeful once we move to mushies/soft the new pouch will work plus we should find satisfaction is "real" Protein vs. liquid form.

I really hope so. I kinda expected that I wouldn't be craving real food for a while since they cut out a huge portion of my stomach. But I live around people who love to eat, so I guess it's a bit harder than I thought. I am still on shakes and Soup. Good luck on your surgery! Keep us updated on how things go!

You're right, it's head hunger. Good for you to recognize it. Use this honeymoon phase to learn to deal with it. At a year out, when the honeymoon is over and the real work begins, it's a lot harder to silence head hunger.

Well, it's definitely hard to silence the head hunger, but it's easier since the physical hunger is gone. I feel like maybe sometimes I'm feeling hungry in my stomach, but it's not strong enough for me to actually label it as that. I hope I'll be able to eat some of the things I enjoy, but in MUCH smaller portions. Like, I used to eat 4 pieces of pizza at a time. Maybe in the future it would be ok to eat half a piece, as long as I incorporate something healthy with it? I definitely won't be going back through drive-thrus anymore. I never really liked them anyway. They were just quick.

[MinaDina 89]

I know the feeling. I had my bypass on the 4th. And I just want a sweet potato for some reason, heck I'd settle for an egg, , anything but these shakes. Lol! I find myself holding the spoon to my lips for minutes as I try to force the broth in.

I still can't decipher what my hunger is like, because my stomach is just a mess of noises and gas pain. So I've just been following one of the surgeons guides. All I know is i look forward to another food stage.

It's never too late, until its too late

[LipstickLady 25,682]

Listerine is the answer. It is so strong and so foul tasting and smelling that it will clear up any desire to eat/drink/smell anything. Listerine breath strips work, but a good old full on gargle will totally wipe your head of the desire to actually put anything in your mouth. Including your tongue.

[OzRoo 1,492]

I was ravenous on the post op liquid phase. Both physical and head hunger, as well as acid reflux that mimicked hunger.

My NUT told me to add Protein powder to my fluids, that helped a bit.

I would also sip broth, I was craving something warm. The broth did the trick for me.

I was still hungry on purees, and it wasn't until the Soft/Mushy phase where I finally felt satisfied and hunger went away.

I dreamed of something hot and savoury, like a pizza, early on but never indulged as I was too scared of damaging my sleeve or having a leak.

Good luck ! in my opinion the liquid phase was the toughest, but it went quickly for me

[Hiraeth 515]

I was ravenous on the post op liquid phase. Both physical and head hunger, as well as acid reflux that mimicked hunger.

My NUT told me to add Protein powder to my fluids, that helped a bit.

I would also sip broth, I was craving something warm. The broth did the trick for me.

I was still hungry on purees, and it wasn't until the Soft/Mushy phase where I finally felt satisfied and hunger went away.

I dreamed of something hot and savoury, like a pizza, early on but never indulged as I was too scared of damaging my sleeve or having a leak.

Good luck ! in my opinion the liquid phase was the toughest, but it went quickly for me

Thank you SO much for your response! You have really helped me with my worries on this. I figured that once I was able to eat something more solid than pure liquid, I'd feel satisfied again. Again, thanks so much! <3

[OzRoo 1,492]

@@Hiraeth

You're so welcome! Yes, I was so surprised that I felt this hunger so early post op, well it is a distant memory now, and these days I have to remind myself to eat

It is all part and parcel of the recovery journey. May it be nice and smooth for you.

[kelliev2015 136]

I had my surgery on 8/8 and am just now starting to get food cravings. Like I would kill someone for a tortilla chip right now. I know it's mental since I'm definitely not hungry but also didn't expect anything to sound good this soon after. Trust me, you are not alone. I'm just trying to think 6 weeks out when this part is over and the healthy choices can begin. I'm ready to eat normal healthy food and at least one tortilla chip. [emoji6]

[izarigo 7]

How much have u lost I had surgery 8/8 and I feel the same way. My stomach is swollen I think it's because I'm constipated.

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[kelliev2015 136]

I'm down 14 pounds since my pre-op diet on 7/25 and 4 since surgery on Monday. I'm swollen too but I think it's from the fluids as I've been able to go to the bathroom fine. How much have you lost?

[daniotra 298]

I was ravenous on the post op liquid phase. Both physical and head hunger, as well as acid reflux that mimicked hunger.

My NUT told me to add Protein powder to my fluids, that helped a bit.

I would also sip broth, I was craving something warm. The broth did the trick for me.

I was still hungry on purees, and it wasn't until the Soft/Mushy phase where I finally felt satisfied and hunger went away.

I dreamed of something hot and savoury, like a pizza, early on but never indulged as I was too scared of damaging my sleeve or having a leak.

Good luck ! in my opinion the liquid phase was the toughest, but it went quickly for me

This was my experience also. I was hungry (tummy growling hungry) on liquids, less so on purée, and now have almost no hunger now that I'm on soft foods. A very small meal keeps me full for hours and hours.

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[daniotra 298]

I found savory foods helped a lot. Most of the foods we can eat early on are sweet, so savory items were much more satisfying. Hummus was a godsend when I was on purée. My sleeve didn't tolerate refried Beans (but I'm in the minority with that.)

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[OzRoo 1,492]

Yes, I was over the sweet shakes. Needed warm, savoury stuff.

I actually pureed poached salmon with stock and yoghurt, and loved it.

Used to puree minced chicken with stock as well. My NutriBullet became my best friend