I'm about a week and a half post op and I can definitely tell my levels of hunger now and whether they are superficial or not. I'm grateful the surgery has done so much to stifle my appetite.

However, I'd definitely warn fellow "new" post ops: avoid social eating interactions. You will not really "crave" the food physically, or at least I don't, but you will feel kind of awkward not being able to eat.

I "miss" eating normally but I also know this is just temporary. Just figured I'd lay my experience out there!

If you can avoid social interactions until you're 6 weeks (when you can try normal foods), I would! I couldn't dodge this one!

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It is more about having something in your hand and mouth. Water can totally be that filler. The sooner people learn to love water as the easy way out of social eating the better.

Water has become my new pal.

2006 - 2016

Lap Band, lost 112 lbs gained back 50

June 27 2016

Lap Band removed, converted to Sleeve

Now that I'm 4 months out (and 47 pounds down) I find eating out is easy and cheaper. My daughter and I just order one meal between us and I don't have to pay $4 for a diet soda anymore. We usually still have leftovers too.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm about a week and a half post op and I can definitely tell my levels of hunger now and whether they are superficial or not. I'm grateful the surgery has done so much to stifle my appetite.

However, I'd definitely warn fellow "new" post ops: avoid social eating interactions. You will not really "crave" the food physically, or at least I don't, but you will feel kind of awkward not being able to eat.

I "miss" eating normally but I also know this is just temporary. Just figured I'd lay my experience out there!

If you can avoid social interactions until you're 6 weeks (when you can try normal foods), I would! I couldn't dodge this one!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I totally and respectfully disagree!

I am very social and told very few about my surgery. I had surgery in May, right at graduation/end of school year/teacher appreciation/Memorial Day picnics/summer vacation time.

I was super fearful going in only to soon realize that people really don't take note of how much or how little you are eating unless you make a big deal of it. (This fear probably came from my fat days when I thought everyone noticed how much food I ate so I closet ate instead. Hmmm...)

I always had a drink in my hand immediately post op and if anyone asked if I wanted a plate, I simply said I wasn't hungry. I didn't go further than that so I didn't invite further conversation.

I just brought my vitamin water zero with me wherever I went so I always had something to sip and to hold to keep my hands busy.