Surgery was Monday 5th 1-3day I was mentally prepared of only clear liquids but 4th and today 5th it's been so challenging to not crave my bad habit foods ,especially candy I have not failed my postoperative diet but gets me a little anxious abt my cravings any suggestions on what can help me curve them ? And most concerning I been feeling sensations of leg Cramps anyone else experiencing this?

I have leg cramps as well, been told it’s just my body readjusting. As for craving something I haven’t had any yet. Most of my craving were gone while on 3 week liquid diet. I still don’t feel hungry ever, and get full around 1/4-1/3 cup per meal. Surgery date December 5th.

Thank you so much !

More than craving, it was habit of eating, but that was gone by week 1. I still have leg cramps and tingling, I used to get them occasionally before surgery and sciatica pain, but it got worse since I was sitting and sleeping in the same position for a week. I use the heat pad before bed and when I walk a little more I only get it once or twice in the night time.

10 hours ago, psalas said:

Surgery was Monday 5th 1-3day I was mentally prepared of only Clear Liquids but 4th and today 5th it's been so challenging to not crave my bad habit foods ,especially candy I have not failed my postoperative diet but gets me a little anxious abt my cravings any suggestions on what can help me curve them ? And most concerning I been feeling sensations of leg Cramps anyone else experiencing this?

Just a thought, but your leg cramping may be from dehydration especially if in the calves.

As for as cravings, a sugar free popsicle or pudding might satisfy your sweet tooth. Also I used to snack before bedtime, now I substituted that habit with a nice hot decaf green tea. It has worked for me. Remember, craving are really only in your head.

2 hours ago, Old Salt said:

Just a thought, but your leg cramping may be from dehydration especially if in the calves.

As for as cravings, a sugar free popsicle or pudding might satisfy your sweet tooth. Also I used to snack before bedtime, now I substituted that habit with a nice hot Decaf green tea. It has worked for me. Remember, craving are really only in your head.

Omg the Sugar free pudding is a good idea And yes my first thought was dehydration because it is in the calves are .Thank u so much for the information.

Adding to the suggestion that dehydration may be contributing to your leg cramps, you may also be lacking some minerals as a result of the restricted diet before & now after your surgery. Try taking a magnesium supplement or adding an electrolyte drink to your daily fluid intake (bonus of getting more fluids in too).

I hope they’re not those horrible charley horse knotted cramps. They’re hideous & so painful.

Dealing with cravings is a challenge & you may never fully defeat them. It would be so much easier if the surgery took away that part of your brain as well as a part of your tummy. The physical & emotional stress of the surgery, your recovery & even the worry of sticking to your plan & not making a mistake, can make you crave those foods that comforted you in the past. And because you can’t have those foods at the moment you want them more. Look for non-food/ eating things to comfort you & activities to distract yourself. Go for a walk as you’re able, craft, read, watch a movie, documentary or other program, play a game, ring a friend, check your social media or this forum, have something to drink like a cup of green or herbal tea if you’re allowed.

Thank you this makes so much sense now cramps are very Mild today actually have been much better with that said definitely agree it was lack of minerals and fluids. Working on it hard lol... and as far as cravings Sugarfree Jellos and pudding has definitely made the job incase this can help anyone who is experiencing the same cravings challenge ?

I wish I knew how to kill the cravings too. I still don't have actual hunger but since a few months post-op I crave sweet. I have never been a sweet person, always salty. Now I fight a constant sweet tooth. It is annoying and I don't always win the battle but I'm still on track with my calorie goals and weight loss goals so I just deal with it the best I can.

I have also always had BAD leg cramps, I mean wake up from a dead sleep in severe pain. Almost in tears. I have been on a daily muscle relaxer for years and it definitely helps. There is a medical term for it, but I can't remember because it was so long ago. I have always drank tons of water, and still do. Hitting a minimum of 80 oz a day currently. Dehydration is a strong factor though, so push those fluids as much as possible.

My cravings have been savory and oddly specific. Like my moms egg rolls that she hasn’t made since I was in grade school.

I just started participating in a study that Yale is doing on cravings and uncontrolled eating after bariatric surgery. Here is a link to the study info, if anyone is interested.
https://medicine.yale.edu/ycci/clinicaltrials/trial/smart-bar-loc/