Hello all. I am 7 weeks post op today and I have a terrible time with meat. I'm sure my problem is that I'm not taking small enough bites and probably eating too fast. I've tried hard to take smaller bites and slow down, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to help. I still get that terrible "stuck" feeling in my chest and even my throat. Can anyone offer any suggestions? Also, I'm still hungry quite often. For you veteran sleevers, does this go away? I've read so many posts where others are not ever hungry. This is a definite concern - especially at 7 weeks post op.

Any suggestions are most appreciated.

Thank you.

I am 4 1/2 months out and I still get the stuck feeling occasionally. I would try eating your meat with some gravy, bbq sauce, mayo etc. I find this helps it slide down.

Hello all. I am 7 weeks post op today and I have a terrible time with meat. I'm sure my problem is that I'm not taking small enough bites and probably eating too fast. I've tried hard to take smaller bites and slow down, but unfortunately it doesn't seem to help. I still get that terrible "stuck" feeling in my chest and even my throat. Can anyone offer any suggestions? Also, I'm still hungry quite often. For you veteran sleevers, does this go away? I've read so many posts where where others are not every hungry. This is a definite concern - especially at 7 weeks post op.

Any suggestions are most appreciated.

Thank you.

I'm 7.5 weeks out and am hungry most of the time. I was told by my surgeons office and this board that its due to acid production. I have been on a PPI since surgery and have changed meds, changed doses etc but still remain hungry.

So I would like to know also, if this eventually goes away in time, after the healing process is complete. This would be my main reason for my 'what have I done' moment, if this doesn't go away, why should I have had this surgery?

It's so discouraging to hear everyone say how their hunger is gone, when I am hungry most of the time.

I too have a difficult time with meat. I started eating lunch meat, and that seemed to go down much easier.

Choose meats/proteins that are less dense or dry. Pulled chicken barbeque made from chicken thighs, tuna salad, egg salad, chicken salad, very moist meatloaf with some gravy, swedish meatballs...these things should go down more easily. Use gravy, sauce, etc. to make the meat "slide" a little better. And take small bites, of course!

I'm three months out and still have a tough time with dense meats like steak or chicken breast. I have to take very small bites - thumbnail sized or smaller - if I want to eat anything more than one bite.

The constant feelings of hunger could be a few things. One, it could be acid. Really. I know everyone says this and before I experienced it I thought it wasn't true. But it is true. The acid roiling in our little tummys sounds and feels just like a growling belly. It makes you think you're hungry. So, make sure you're on a true acid reducer like Prilosec or Nexium. I was on Nexium right after surgery then Prevacid for a while. Prevacid did not work, which is when I experienced the acid issues. Prilosec does work and solved the problem.

It could also be actual hunger. The surgery doesn't always take away your hunger, though it does for most. I could be your diet is too low in Fiber, carbohydrates or even Protein. You need these things to feel "full" and satisfied. Also, if you're trying to eat mainly meat but getting stuck after two bites you can't be eating much. Check your caloric intake, too. Don't go too low, or you will feel hungry because you actually ARE. If you feel hungry and it's really hunger, why not drink a low carb Protein shake? Getting more protein can't hurt you, and it will certainly make you feel a bit more satisfied.

Or, it could be head hunger. I doubt this is the case, but each time you think about grabbing something to eat, or feel hungry you should ask yourself if you're really hungry or if you simply have the desire to eat. I only battle this during my cycle - but boy, for that week I can and will eat everything in sight if I'm not careful.

Good luck. We all make the mistake of comparing ourselves to others. I'm always whining that I'm a slow loser, but for me, compared to past diets, I'm losing very quickly. In your case, I know I've read a stories on VST in the past where people haven't lost their hunger. Some people never do. I hope that this is temporary for you and that with either an acid reducer or a change in diet you can overcome.

~Cheri