When should the hibger/cravings subside? I'm 3 days post op and I'm still hungry and craving junk food

First, postop it's unlikely you're experiencing true hunger - your stomach is tiny and swollen. In addition, it's traumatized, so it isn't sending proper signals yet.

Cravings and head hunger are quite another matter. One of the best posts I've seen about how to tell the difference between physical hunger and head hunger said that physical hunger is the kind where if someone offered you a plate of plain broiled chicken and broccoli, you'd eat it. Head hunger is when you see that fast food commercial on TV and think "I gotta have that now".

Cravings drive a lot of people who are freshly postop batty. Some fresh postops do stupid things, like indulging their cravings. Don't. Just don't. Your stomach has been surgically assaulted. if there was ever a time in your life to follow directions, this is it.

Get up, take a walk, make yourself some tea, get lost in a great book, take a nap, wash your face, do something to distract yourself from the cravings.

As 2goldengirl said it is Head Hunger. Follow that post op diet to the letter. Drink your Water and your liquid Protein and get your mind busy with reading, crafts, walking etc.

for me it was about 10 days in. hang in there! I think this is the hardest part of the journey so far!

When I see fast food items and such, I wanna hurl. I do crave the boiled/broiled chicken and broccoli, Brussel sprouts, asparagus, etc. Don't ask me why. I also am craving fresh fruit but I know I have to wait. This is day 7 and I am ready for something other than broth, sf Jello, etc. Can I make lentils and smoosh them? Or at least something else that I don't have to chew too much for Protein? Can I introduce Peanut Butter in yet? I feel good physically, but I don't want to harm the inside healing process. I have my first week appointment with the dietician or (what does NUT stand for?) someone at the surgical weight loss center. I will ask there too.

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Can I make lentils and smoosh them?

Not unless your dietitian tells you to. If you don't want to wait until your next appointment, call them and ask them -- but no one here can give you permission to vary their rules. Lentils are very carb and calorie-dense so perhaps not a great choice.

Or at least something else that I don't have to chew too much for Protein? Can I introduce Peanut Butter in yet?

Again, that's a question for your dietitian, not a message board stranger. IMO peanut butter is not a good choice because it is so calorie and carb dense, even more so than lentils -- but I'm not in charge of your diet. Good luck!

Some say they never think about it and have to remind themselves to eat. While others ( like myself) fight head hunger. And honestly it sucks

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I'm six months post op and no hunger for me. For the first month or so after surgery, it made me sick to even look at food. Guess I was one of the lucky ones. It will get much better for you once you start eating solid food.