I am just over 2 weeks out, still in the mushy food phase which I don't mind. I've been eating about 1 cup of food per meal. The problem is I'm usually hungry again in 2 hours. It's like clockwork. I'm really trying to watch what I eat bc I don't want to gain before my first fill- I'd like to even lose (of course).

How did everyone cope with this?

Are you eating enough protein at each meal?

I think you need to increase your protein. Eat it first. You will be hungry because the swelling around your band has gone down. Are you still supplementing with the shakes?

I was thinking that today Maybe I'm not eating enough protein. It's mostly been yogurt, ricotta, and soup. I haven't been having the Optifast bc I'm just so sick of it. I should probably try Muscle Milk or something else.

They're not the tastiest things in the world but I drank the protein shots when I was in this phase. Got them from walmart. I would make jello gelatins and use it as the water content or just drink a swig of it throughout the day. Costs about 2 bucks for 1 and they have about 42 grams protein. Just don't drink all at once because the body can only absorb so much protein at one time

I use those protein shots - they've help me too!

You are going to be hungry. There are no two ways about it. Now is the time to find other things to do with your day besides thinking about food. Watch a movie, go to the mall, read a book. play some games on line. We all had to go through it. Just keep doing what you are doing and you will get through it .

I agree with Cheryl. Learning to deal with hunger is hard and yet very important. When I was in the mushies stage, my surgeon said grazing was ok. It's when you hit the solid food stage that you want to try three meals a day. Will you sometimes have to have a HEALTHY snack between meals at first? Most likely. But hopefully they will taper off as you get fills. I have somehow learned to ignore hunger. It's the cravings that are a battle for me. Stick with it, you can do it.

Yea its hard to get all the Protein in those first few weeks, you probably need to drink Protein shakes. I use chocolate or vanilla whey protein supplement it gives you like 30g protein. Plus I put it in skim milk. That will help with your hunger. Also, recommended that you drink tons of Water to fill you up too. I find that most of the time my hunger is out of habit, like I SHOULD be hungry or eating. As the doc says, ya gotta think like a skinny person!

Good luck!

I am just over 2 weeks out, still in the mushy food phase which I don't mind. I've been eating about 1 cup of food per meal. The problem is I'm usually hungry again in 2 hours. It's like clockwork. I'm really trying to watch what I eat bc I don't want to gain before my first fill- I'd like to even lose (of course).

How did everyone cope with this?

Try Isapure clear protein drink. It's like a Gatorade. 40 grams of protein and zero carbs!

2 weeks out I made a pot of Paula deens chicken noodle soup. I left the noodles out. It's all from scratch. Starts by boiling the chicken, etc. #1 it gave me something to do. #2 it tasted great puréed! I was so sick of sweet protein shakes. I could not drink another one. This soup was so satisfying and I was truly full for 5 hours with no thought of hunger at all. It lasted me a week. I think it was the perfect solution to my cravings. The recipe is on line. Google Paula Deens Chicken Noodle Soup. It comes up as "the Lady's" recipe I think.

I take protein shots has 42 grams of protein, I also drink protein ice 42 grams of protein. isopure has 4 0 grams of protein. Good way to get your protein in and liquids.