Post-op cravings

Afternoon all,

I had my surgery January 6th, and I have found these last few days that the food-lust I'm having is just like what I felt the first 3 days of Optifast. Subway commercials are almost painful to watch, I fantasize about food and eating at restaurants.

I'm in the pureed stage and I follow the sample menu to a "T" in the Meal Planner book I received at orientation. I refuse to eat more as I am terrified of stretching my pouch.

Did you have intense food cravings after surgery?

Thanks,
Have a nice day:)

Hi Aprilflowers,

Right after surgery, like yourself, I didn't have any food craving. I had to push myself to take in food. Now, I do get cravings, and while I don't submit to them, I find ways to satify them that are appropriate. For example, if I'm craving something sweet, like a chocolate bar, I have a chocolate flavoured protein shake. While the texture isn't the same, the taste is (or can be with a few tweaks like the addition of sugar free davinci or FF/SF pudding mixes) and that satisfies my craving.

So the question is, what are you craving? I know you say the subway commercials are giving you a craving for subway, but what are you craving specifically. For example, I used to enjoy their pizza subs. To translate that into something I could have post-op, especially for you at the pureed stage, I would make a little pasta-less lasagna with low fat riccota and pureed meat sauce on top, microwaved for a few minutes. It would give me that taste of a pizza sub, but in a way I can have. If you can't specifically define what about the subway commercial is appealing to you, it's probably head hunger and I'd switch the channel LOL... You don't need to feel deprived, but you do need to get creative in how you approach your cravings in a way that follows your clinics rules and satisfies both the craving and your nutritional needs. It gets easier as you get to incorporate more foods, but you have to start experimenting. 

Best of luck!

Hi April,

Nope no intense food cravings.  However, when it was time to change from full fluids to pureed stage or to soft foods or Diet for Life, I read in the Meal Planner book and decided which foods I wanted to eat.  I did dream about how they would taste.  LOL

I also generally watch recorded shows (on PVR) and fast forward through the commercials.  I find it is better to not pay attention to the cues to eat.

Good luck with this.

Judy

I had my surgery Jan. 9, and I crave everything even though I am NOT hungry.  Just remembering how my fav. foods tasted is hard.  I won't try them but I sure want to..lol

Sue

I had my surgery on January 23rd and so far I have not had cravings...actually the opposite...I find even the smell of fast food makes me want to throw up. I'm sure it won't always be like this but I am enjoying the ride for now.

I would suggest changing the channel if a commercial comes on that is making you crave.