The first few days after surgery were the worst and also the most puzzling; The thought of physically eating anything made me feel sick and yet in my head all I could think about was food

Now 12 days out I can say that the head hunger has definitly quieted down but it's still there. My fear is that once I'm able to eat regular food again I'll start to crave all the crap I used to eat and even though I won't be able to eat as much, I don't want to eat like that anymore.

Can any veterans shed some light on this? Does it get better?

Thanks!

I still have some head hunger 1.5+ years out. Things that help include imagining myself eating the food I'm thinking about - for example, half an hour ago I was pondering digging into the bag of milk chocolate Chipits - and focusing on how the taste would not meet my expectations and on how I'd regret it once I started getting reflux after, etc. Also, I like to brew a cup of tea and drink that to see if my vague hunger is actually thirst - or just an oral fixation that can be appeased with something less calorific.

I'm still craving alot too......but I am only 7 days out but didn't start craving until like day 4....its very hard

I am 13 months out and I still get head hunger. By now, I have tried all the things I have craved and surprisingly, they don't taste as good as they once did. Ice cream makes me feel icky. Cake is too sweet. I can eat a lot of chips so I don't buy them; 96% of the time my willpower will get me out of the store before they make it into the cart. I like cheap chocolate now; someone gave me Godiva for Christmas (!) and it was too rich for me so I fed it to guests.

Since I lost my true hunger with surgery I know it is all a mind game with me. When head hunger strikes, I will read or watch TV, go for a walk, or, like BBJ suggested, have a drink of Water or tea. After a while it usually goes away. If it doesn't, I tell myself I can have it tomorrow. By tomorrow, I have usually forgotten about it.

Great question..

I still have some head hunger 1.5+ years out. Things that help include imagining myself eating the food I'm thinking about - for example, half an hour ago I was pondering digging into the bag of milk chocolate Chipits - and focusing on how the taste would not meet my expectations and on how I'd regret it once I started getting reflux after, etc. Also, I like to brew a cup of tea and drink that to see if my vague hunger is actually thirst - or just an oral fixation that can be appeased with something less calorific.

im so impressed with your personality and success.