3 Weeks Post-Op and want to graze all day!

**Fairyland** · 02-08-2018 03:07 PM

Good afternoon everyone,
I am brand new to this group and am now 2 weeks post-op. I am sick to death of protein shakes and a liquid diet and I can't wait to start solids. My starting weight was 345 and I got down to 337 for the surgery. Now, at 2 weeks post-op I am 325. I was the largest one in the group that all got sleeved when I did (I did this in Mexico) and while they are saying they get full after a few teaspoons of soup I am feeling like something is wrong with me. Maybe because I am about 100 pounds heavier than they all are, but I need to eat a full container of yogurt (the 6 oz. normal size) and then some jello AND a popsicle (all sugar free of course!) before I am satisfied. I notice that every 2-3 hours I want to eat something and I have been snacking on very low calorie foods. (the jello is 5 calories per container) Do you think this is ok to do? Maybe things will change after a month when I can eat real food. Maybe eating some chicken for a meal will actually fill me up! But right now it is hard to get satisfied with just liquids. If I have a jello in between meals a few times a day will that stretch out my stomach again?

**Tamera2** · 02-08-2018 03:36 PM

I’m wondering if it’s actually Head hunger verses actually real hunger. Having jello in between meals will not stretch your stomach. I think when you start on lean protein you will certainly get that full feeling. Try to distract yourself and tell yourself after you have your liquid meal your full. Having the Sleeve will not magically reprogram your brain and stop Head hunger. Your used to eating what ever you want and as much as you want. This is new and will take some adjustment for your brain to catch up. Hang in there! It will get better. I would recommend attending a support group at your local hospital for Bariatric surgery. I did lots of walking especially when I felt hungry when I was on liquids especially but also did lots of walking for exercise until I could do more. Hang in there.33654B99-FDEC-45F9-AB87-13CFBDE1E081.jpeg

**Luna354** · 02-08-2018 04:13 PM

It's most likely head hunger or stomach acid making you think you are hungry. have a few spoonfuls of yougurt. Wait half an hour and have water or something to drink. Keep drinking. Do not graze. Stick to three meal times a day and 1 snack. Your sleeve is just a tool and grazing is one way for you to work around your sleeve. Don't do it!

**Stacey03** · 02-08-2018 04:19 PM

I agree with Temera. Good luck and congrats :-)

**Ann2** · 02-08-2018 06:30 PM

Yeah, soft foods (those things you're eating now are really nearly liquids, eh?) just don't stay in the stomach long. When you get to pureed and soft foods you'll notice a difference. And then when you hit real food in a few weeks you'll REALLY notice a difference.

But do NOT start grazing on "slider foods" -- highly processed foods that turn immediately into slurry in your sleeve and slide right on out the bottom. "Slider foods" are things like crackers, chips, cookies -- CRAP. That is the road to perdition, IMHO.

Welcome. And hang in there. This is one of the hardest phases of the whole journey. And drink more liquids.

**Luv49ers19** · 02-08-2018 06:57 PM

I second all the above! Stick with the 3 meals and drink more water. Sadly this surgery doesn't fix the head as well. A total reprogramming of the way we deal/think about food is nessesary. It is hard work but you got this! You start food in a few weeks then you'll know really quick when you are done. Hard to explain but you'll understand when you get there! Good luck!

**Aussie Girl** · 02-09-2018 04:14 AM

Like you I have been hungry since my surgery and have noticed if I eat every few hours small amounts I am fine, I am still on puree stage and am waiting to get to whole food stage to see a change.... hang in there, no sliders, high protein .....

**jerzeygirl** · 02-09-2018 08:04 AM

Try to schedule the liquid meals and in between try s/f jello, ice pops, flavored waters, etc. You're going to feel lots better once you move to the next eating phases. I do suggest that you begin to develop healthy patterns of eating like timing the meals, planning the day's meals, etc. The liquid phase is a great time to get the next phases in order and it takes time so you're more occupied in your mind. Walk, change the scenery, read a book, watch TV anything to distract the "grazing" instincts as this can cause problems down the road. As Ann said, please don't go to the easy foods like crackers, chips, etc. as this is a very slippery slope. Mindful eating is key to success and this initial "honeymoon" period is the perfect time to develop that behavior.

It does get easier and I wish you continued success!!

**Christie13** · 02-11-2018 01:49 PM

The stomach acid made me feel "hungry" when it was acid. Also, once you are on solids foods you will get full much faster. I never felt full on the liquids or soft/pureed foods. And the first 3 months I did have to eat something every 2-3 hours because I was hungry. I just made sure it was protein. I always took a bite or two for some kind of protein. As I got farther along and could eat a bit more, I would go a lot longer between meals.