Hi all. I'm about 6 weeks post op just finished the 3 phases as of this week. I feel like ever since I was able to eat anything, my appetite increased. Now, I'm not saying I can eat like how I did before surgery, but earlier I wasn't able to eat a lot and was rarely hungry, and now I actually find myself looking through the fridge. I don't know what to do am I doing something wrong? I definitely don't overeat but I'm just nervous that I stretched my stomach or something (lol I know it's not really possible) or am I just feeling like I'm eating a lot but not? I don't know. Looking forward to hearing from you guys thanks!

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Hi,

What are you eating? It could be you are experiencing head hunger. Did you have any "slider food"?

I, for instance, noticed that I can eat a full individual package of multi grain crackers and I am pretty sure I could eat more...so I avoid them. Old habits die hard. if you were going to the fridge a lot pre-op, it makes sense you still do it post-op. You should just try to find out if you are really hungry. You could be thirsty too, it is pretty much the same feeling (at least for me).

As long as you eat your protein first, then your vegetables and finish with your carbs, you will be fine.

Do you log/journal your food and measure it. I find that really helped me know exactly what my intake levels were in terms of calories and protein. It also helped to keep me accountable.

It could just be "head hunger" and or old habits creeping back in. I know prior to surgery I snacked a lot at night. After surgery I sometimes would find myself going to the kitchen and looking through the cabinets or fridge out of habit. One thing that helped me was I stayed busy in the evenings. I started giving myself manicures- can't snack or eat while your nails are drying; or I would give myself an at home facial. These activities gave me something to do for myself, and it kept me from snacking. Now two years post op I do have a huge nail polish and makeup addiction- LOL, but my nails looks fab and I don't have a lot of loose facial skin.

You just have to find something to distract you and refocus your behavior. You can do it!! Good luck

it's normal as the swelling goes down and things are more normal inside to notice you can eat more.

I measure out my food for the day most days and eat when I feel like I need to eat. when the food is gone, I'm done so I try to pace myself.

learning to eat what I need and not in some undisciplined higgly piggly manner. yeesh. it's all new habits to learn.

If you are looking in the fridge because you're bored then make sure to find something to engage you that keeps your hands busy. I like to crochet and sew, but today I am sorting my mineral make up while I watch a movie.

lastly, make sure you're not mistaking thirst for hunger. if it is not "time" to eat, then grab something to drink and see if that settles you down.

Thanks guys! I started logging and it actually really helped. I just don't know what my calorie intake should be when I'm not on any phase diet. Before I was getting about 300-500 and now I'm about the same but I don't know what goal I should set for calories.

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