Just had my sleeve done on Thursday, 7/5 so I am only 3 days post-op and I am starving. The smell and even the thought of broths make me sick. I know I am not getting in enough water and I cannot tolerate the protein drinks. I feel like I am screwing myself up. This is to hard. I just want to chew on something. I LOVE raw carrots and I can't stand to have to wait for them. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get through this?

liquid diet is BRUTAL. Especially the first couple of weeks! I was desperate to chew on something too. Some great people here on the forum (it's PACKED with fantastic people!) suggested that I get some sugar-free popsicles. You can "chew" them and get some nice flavour, and they are cool and make you more comfortable in the hot summer.

What feels like starvation may in fact be acid production. I thought I was hungry in the beginning too, but I started taking a double dose (2 pills/day) of a PPI (proton pump inhibitor), such as Omeprazole (Prilosec) and it cleared that right up. Now I don't really get hungry, just "empty". I have to remind myself that it is time to eat (got to get that Protein in!).

I am on regular food and and expanding my repertoire of tolerated foods. It gets better every day. And my normal taste buds are coming back! In the first 4-6 weeks everything tasted weird, I had a bad taste in my mouth all the time and I was pretty miserable. Even the weight loss wasn't enough to bring me out of my pissy mood very often!

Now I'm feeling MUCH better! I joined a gym and I'm swimming, walking and quite active (especially compared to pre-op!).

You can get through this! Buy some Water flavour enhancers (such as Crystal Light and/or Mio), keep trying different types of Protein shakes (a big challenge, but you'll eventually find one you can stomach, and maybe even enjoy).

3 days out and starving sounds like acid, gas and not getting enough Water in to me. I'm 5 weeks out and still on liquid diet. Tomorrow.....I hopefully get moved to purees.

Drink more water, try something like decaff tea with your fav. artificial sweetener, I use Truvia. If you ate, you would hurt yourself so darn bad.

The pain you feel in your stomach cannot be "hunger" pains, that's healing pains, gas pains, acid reflux, or just your stomach adjusting and for sure healing.

Right now you are going through something more psychological. Try drinking more water or try a decaff tea (my fav. is peppermint) it sooths. Get some Gas-X chewables or some pepsid.

Good luck.

pray or meditate....lol The liquid diet is awful!

It's just strange, my stomach always grumbles as if I'm hungry. I want it to go away. Sorry I am such a downer but I have never had will power so this has been very hard on me and I wonder why I did it if I have to feel hungry all the time

Aww. It'll get better for you. I'm on a clear liquid diet for pre-op. and it does stink!!! Just remember this is temporary and pretty soon you'll be able to eat those raw carrots! Best of luck to you!!!

Hang in there! You can do it. This is the worst part and every minute, hour, or day that goes by puts you one step closer. I remember that one of the biggest revelations was learning just how psychological this and my relationship with food was as a whole. Now with that understanding things are much easier. As someone stated the popsicles helped, but by far your bigest battle is with yourself. You can do it and you will do it.

victyt. . . . well thank goodness it's temporary right?

Sorry you are having a rough time. What you are experiencing isn't true hunger although you think it is. Others have given good suggestions. I only have one to add about the chewing. Get you some Sonic ice. It helped me with the need to chew and to get in more fluids. You don't wanna end up back in the hospital due to dehydration.

Hang in there. This is only temporary. Oh, and don't cheat. It could cause a leak which can be dangerous and it would for sure keep you on liquids longer.

What is "Sonic Ice?"

What is "Sonic Ice?"

Ice from the fast food restaurant Sonic. It's really small and easy to chew.

So, can you just go to Sonic and buy there ice? Really???

Thank you all so much! I will do this! I woke up this morning and decided to finally weigh myself and I have lost 18 lbs! You bet I will do this! I truly appreciate all of your kind words and advice. I completely forgot about Sonic! I am gonna send my husband to get some for me ASAP........LOL

I also just got an email from from my surgeons office saying that my purée diet starts this Wednesday and I thought it was Friday, surely I can do another day and a half of liquids........woooohooooo!

So' date=' can you just go to Sonic and buy there ice? Really???[/quote']

Yup. You sure can. It's my favorite!