You all lied!

[SalOdyssey 441]

For me and my situation is semi-unique in that I was dieting and exercising for 2+ years before I had VSG. In the time before VSG I lost 254 pounds on my own. What I can tell you is the first 4-8 weeks were the hardest as my body adjusted to a high Protein, low carb lifestyle, no juices or soda. The cravings were HORRIBLE!! I swear the devil was living in my head telling me to eat junk, but I fought it off. If I got hungry, I would make a vegetable or drown the hunger with large sums of Water, or even have a small pieces of fruit, or other healthy snack.< /p>

For me now 13 weeks post-op, the cravings haven't really been that bad. Sure there have been some, I wish I could have that moments, but for the most part the cravings have been very tame for me since my weight loss odyssey start some 32 months ago. I'm now down a total of 311 pounds.

The holidays may be a struggle, but just take it day by day. It should get easier. #YouGotThis!!

Congratulations!!!!⭐!

Thank you!!

[lexiemustang 268]

I am one year five months post op and the biggest struggle of this whole process has been mental. It gets easier, but it never goes away. Hang in there.

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@okcbaby I'm only pre-op (day 8 of liquid diet) but it's very clear to me that head hunger and cravings are real and still an issue for most after WLS. If not - we wouldn't be seeing far too many posts talking about "cheating" so soon after surgery. I went to therapy to learn how to deal with these exact issues. It's helping pre-op - and I assume will help post-op. I think once I can eat food (even mushy) - it will be much easier to satisfy my cravings with healthy alternatives. Only being able to have Protein Shakes, broth and Water is a different story. I've actually been testing myself now - knowing that it will help post-op. I made a delicious smelling pot roast for my SO the day my pre-op diet started. The next day he made himself shaved steak sandwiches (one of my favorites) and even the ketchup smelled good. :-) I stopped to pick up pizza for him Friday and 5 Guys on Sunday. He went out and got a pizza again yesterday. I made a really good veggie broth yesterday and it tasted incredible. I am managing much better than I expected and again - I think this will give me a head start post-op.

[S.F 2]

Well honestly for me the cravings were pretty bad till I reached week 5. I was sneaking in Nutella / soft biscuits in an attempt to silence them, but I decided week 4 to stop all carbs and see how that would help. Well it made a huge change!! My cravings are completely gone! My advice is try that just for a couple of days cut out all carbs and see how it feels .. hope that helps! Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Healthy_life2 8,322]

@okcbaby

Is hunger a normal? I think so. For me it never disappeared. I had to learn to manage it.

Nothing happens over night. It is all the work that we put in as bariatric patients. It's HARD work of undoing all the bad habits that got us to the point of having surgery in the first place. Your hard work WILL pay off.

It will be trial and error at first. A few things to try:

Satisfy hunger and cravings with healthy choices:

Salty: Jerky, Quest Protein chips, chicken fajitas (with out the tortilla)

Sweet: sugar free pudding with Protein Powder, Protein Bar,

pizza - pizza topping stuffed mushroom or a cauliflower Pizza Crust.< /p>

Give yourself time to understand what head hunger and the sensation of full feels like to you.

6 small meals a day

Keep busy with work, hobby or exercise

Add more veggies for Fiber to keep satisfied.

counselling may help

Best of luck to you,

Jenn