Hey all- I will be 4 weeks out from surgery on Monday. Of course when I was on clears and full liquids, I got hunger pangs, because my stomach was always empty. No brainer. Now, however, I've been on blender foods or "mushies" as some say, for almost a week now. That has been very satisfying and mostly I haven't been able to eat but about a couple of ounces at a time. So, today comes along and I woke up with the hunger monster hovering over the bed! (For Dr. Kim's patients, you know that it looks like a smiling taco! ) I was eating 4 ounces at a whack today!! Tuna, cottage cheese with blended fruit, more tuna, squash... all kinds of stuff. I DID try to stay heavy on proteins, and I was around 600 calories or so, low fat, pretty low carbs. I DID take my acid medication. The only thing I did not do was have a protein drink. Could that possibly account for the continual rumbly in my tumbly?? It was not head hunger either, it was gut-wrenching hunger! My head was sick of eating! Does/has anyone experienced this? Is it a phase? sudden lessening of surgical swelling?? What???

(to all the grammarians out there, my title should say "its" not "it's." just had to clear that up!)

I found my hunger so far controlled by antacids or chewing really thoroughly and waitung at least about a minute in between bites, but I am really new to solid foods also - even though I am about twice as far out as you.

The protien shake may help.

One thing to remember - once you hit a few ounces, even if you havent filled up maybe - you still have a partially full tummy, so maybe after an hour or so (give the food time to pass) try Jello or a crunchy popscicle instead. You may be "craving" texture. I do sometimes.

Also if you are dehydrated or TOM can add to hunger.

Hmm. It could very well be lack of fluids. I woke up today though, and that gnawing feeling is gone. I just feel normal today. It was just this constant thing yesterday. Really weird!!!