One of the biggest challenges for me after surgery was figuring out what hunger felt like with my new stomach. Everyone's experience is a bit different, but I'll tell you mine.

In the beginning, I often felt what appeared to be hunger pangs. Despite that, I didn't want to eat much. Often I would stop eating simply because it seemed like too much trouble or I got bored! Like you, I was disappointed that I still felt what appeared to be hunger, but I needn't have worried.

Over the next six months or so, the "hunger" pangs diminished considerably. Instead, I began to notice that if it was time to eat, I wouldn't feel any physical changes. Instead, I just would suddenly realise that I needed to eat. I know that sounds vague, but it's hard to describe.

Eventually I hit on a system that works well for me. When I feel the "hunger" pangs and it's not my regular mealtime (or planned snacktime), I drink 500 ml of fluid. That makes the "hunger" pangs go away. But if they come back in, say, a half hour, then I do go ahead and eat something. So I've come to regard the "hunger" pangs as a bit of tummy trouble rather than a sign that I need food. On the other hand, if I feel that vague awareness that I mentioned earlier, and I feel a little weak, then I would definitely eat even if it's not mealtime.

Before surgery, if I wanted something to eat, I usually had a craving for something specific (OMG I need a pint of chocolate ice cream NOW). After surgery, I found I simply wanted, say, something savoury, or something sweet. It's pretty easy for me to find a healthy option in either case. For example, if I want something sweet I might have a piece of fruit, or a hot drink with artificial sweetener.

The ghrelin thing is a myth. Hunger is soooooo much more complicated than just one hormone.

Are you on a PPI? Early on, a lot of "hunger" is just excess acid. Sometimes folks have to switch to different acid reducers and dosages before they find something that controls the acid.

How tall are you? 203 is a lightweight, and 12 pounds in one month is a very good percentage for your starting weight. I lost twice that much, but I was also twice as heavy.

Stick to the plan and you'll do fine.

I brought my own robe. It was nice when I was walking at the hospital after surgery. Good luck!

Is the mojo more of a physical thing or mental one? Maybe a little of both? Physical stuff is really just getting back to basics, have you gotten any labs done, maybe you're too low or high in one area or another.

Mental stuff might be a little more difficult. Like finding different ways to deal with stress, like maybe pamper yourself with a spa like bath. I mean you can't take a bath in the middle of a stressful situation, which would be funny as hell if we could do that! Just think about what makes you feel happy & peaceful.

You really need to think about why you're drinking & if it's really worth it. I like drinking too, but that had to change after surgery. Hanging with friends, special occasions etc is handled much differently now. No more drinking to relax or blend in, had to find other non alcoholic ways on dealing with that. I'm not saying don't drink ever, but it really can't be a regular thing anymore.

If you're cutting back to weekends to drink, you might be on the cusp of having a problem.

The only veggies I can eat are a few only rad veggies, some in a very limited qty (i.e. only 2-3 max the raw mini carrots). I tolerate cucumbers (seedless, skin off), avocado,a no more than 2 leaves of green lettuce, etc. Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and such - I can't eat that raw, and my body doesn't also tolerate that steamed or even cooked.

Squash - I can only have some cooked. Raw vegges - more than a coupe of bites, I may be in pain or/and throw up to rid of the pain. Some high fiber cooked veggies, my body has problem digesting.

I eat meats, easy to digest veggies, and fats.