I had my gastric bypass surgery exactly a week ago. I have been doing okay on shakes and sugar-free Jello for the most part. This past week I haven't had any food cravings or experienced hunger until now. Any tips for how to last the next week? I feel like it will be impossible!!!!! All I can think about is eating cream of wheat or mashed potatoes....

When i was hungry on the liquid diet after surgery i just had some more shakes to try to fill me up and it worked a bit. but you will make it. That 2 weeks after surgery sucks because that is the strict liquid diet unlike pre op where sometimes you can have a little something extra or different lol

I did great on the liquid diet, and I could drink away any hunger I felt. But once I started the mushy stage and had actual food, holy moly the hunger came roaring back. I will say I wasn't eating 5 times per day, so that's part of the problem. On the liquid diet, when I got hungry, I would have an extra shake or smoothie. Now, I have timers set to remind me to eat every 3 hours 5 times a day. I was waiting until I was hungry, and by then, omg it was bad. I got some new foods that have been recommended and I set my timers, and I'm drinking more. And hoping it helps. Also, I did start my stage 2 early. I started in 9 days post op, with my surgeon's permission, as long as I went slow. I'm not one to ever say to go against your surgeon's instructions, but maybe in a couple days you could call and see if they will let you start the mushy foods early....Otherwise, just drink extra shakes and smoothies whenever you feel hungry and try to drink the hunger away. Good luck!!!!

2 hours ago, dmed404 said:

I had my gastric bypass surgery exactly a week ago. I have been doing okay on shakes and sugar-free Jello for the most part. This past week I haven't had any food cravings or experienced hunger until now. Any tips for how to last the next week? I feel like it will be impossible!!!!! All I can think about is eating cream of wheat or mashed potatoes....

I’m five days out and I want food. Ricotta is allowed mid Stage 2 week, cottage cheese end of week. I just enjoyed those and I can’t have them again until mid and late next week ?. Tasted so good. Hubby is cooking for himself and things smell good, it’s pleasant. I did sniff the potato salad bowl (want) and made puppy dog eyes at it. Mashed taters would be heaven. Only one more week on this…we can do it!

Aah head hunger versus real hunger. Working out the difference can be challenging especially early out when you haven’t had enough time yet to learn how to identify the difference. A lot of head hunger is driven by emotions & you seek comfort in food. Surgery is stressful & emotional & everyday after there are lots of new & very strange experiences so you look for the comfort eating used to provide in these situations. Head hunger is also eating out of habit whether the time on the clock, or what you’re doing like watching tv so eat. It’s eating out of boredom, eating because others are, etc. At the moment you are also missing textures, certain flavours & smells of food (cravings) but again that’s head hunger. Head hunger is wanting to eat not needing to eat.

Head hunger often passes quickly. Try distracting yourself for 30mins (walk, read, craft, check social media, do a puzzle, ring a friend, etc.). Try drinking something warm like a herbal or green tea. If it alleviates your hunger it was head hunger.

Real hunger is different. I get restless. I don’t crave or want a specific food, texture or flavour. There’s a rational reason for it - I missed a meal. It doesn’t pass.

Unfortunately, knowing this doesn’t stop it but it can help you manage it.

Edited May 17, 20224 yr by Arabesque