I am only 7 days post-op & started back on shakes & creamier Soups. I am having trouble meeting my Fluid goals. I feel constantly full!

Now, I am begin to miss chewing food & am not sure how I'm gonna make it another week before I get mushes. I guess this is the head hunger everyone talks about.

I understand so many struggle with much bigger problems, just scared I'm gonna fail.

Try chewing on a straw I've heard that works for some people

I'm up at 1:30 am thinking about my surgery in 2 days and wondering what the hell I'm getting into. I have to remember my original reasons for deciding to do this and the medical issures that exist. Tens of thousands of people have gone through the Sleeve sucessfully. Their stories point out the same feelings and issues you are experiencing now, Remember and feel the strength that got you this far. You may grieve eating the way you use to eat but you'll love the new you.

Just try to remember that the post op diet is about a month out of your life. Your stomach and staple line need to heal without any pressure right now.

You have the rest of your life to chew food and eat whatever you want, in small portions.

Keep your mind on the prize-the new you! You'll be shopping and wearing cute small clothes and feeling really good before you know it!

When your clothes start going into Goodwill bags and your energy returns like a long lost cherished friend you will understand that the price paid now is a small one.

The feeling I have is that I have beat the crap out of a long time bully who stole my lunch money and shoved my head in a toilet every day. Overeating and being overweight were the bane of my existence. The dictator is dead! Viva la revolution!!!

Alice, Stay strong on this one. Do NOT push your sleeve to handle more than your doctor allows right now. You do not want a leak. Work on getting in your fluids. They are more important than Protein this early post-op, but my doctor had me counting my shakes/soups as part of my liquid intake until I was back on mushy foods. If you must chew, chew on ice or a SF popsicle (if it's allowed by your doc).

You obviously know that it's head hunger since you're full. Just hang on. This stage will be over soon and you'll look back with pride that you made it through.

Good luck! I know you can do it!!

I remember how hard it was when I just wanted to chew on something. What helped me was to switch up what I was drinking. It seems like so many of the Protein stuff is in chocolate/vanilla/strawberry flavors, and I was TIRED of those flavors. Being able to have something like warmed up chicken broth was nice because it offered me something new.

I also used those 15 calorie popsicles to get that chewing sensation.

One warning -- I tried gum once early on. I thought it would be nice to chew on. I ended up swallowing it without even realizing it, and I had a huge moment of panic. I realized I couldn't chew gum because I tend to swallow it, and I was worried about doing that. I didn't have any problems from the piece I swallowed other than mental worry.