about hunger and cravings after surgery

Several people have said that after surgery, their hunger and cravings are very different.  For me, I've noticed that even if I can maintain some sort of self control and not eat something that I want, that I can't stop thinking about it.  Like, if I was at a picnic and didn't have dessert, instead of being able to go about my business and have fun and be happy that I didn't give in, I'm feeling something like regret that I didn't have whatever it was.  If I eat it  I feel regret, if I don't eat it I feel regret.   That sucks big fat hairy monkey balls.

So I'm very curious if food will/can become a non issue.  If it can still be enjoyed, but it I skip something unhealthy but delicious that it won't be a big deal anymore?

Please share your experience, if you get what I'm talking about.

thanks  

Note, I'm one of the lucky people who have not lost my hunger :(  But, oh well, a little hunger won't kill me.

When I was on my 3 weeks of liquids, and subsequent week of pureed foods, I REALLY craved solid food.  Now that I can have soft foods, my cravings are pretty much gone.... because I give myself permission to eat a little of whatever I want (that is soft), as part of my meal, as long as I log it.  I just make sure to eat my protein first, have at least 60 grams of protein a day, and keep my meal size at what my doctor recommends.  For example, there was one day my husband had a malt with his meal.  I ate my protein, veggies, and 2 spoons of his malt.  I was happy, and it didn't blow my calories for the day.  When I went through a binge eating program, I learned that deprivation leads to binging.  I don't want to have any "banned foods".  If I really want a treat, I'm going to have a tiny amount of it, and make sure to log it :) 

Big hairy monkey balls that hit my funny bone hard!

I know what you mean.  I look at it like this....  My stomach has been fixed but my food demons still exist.  When I was a thin person MANY years ago - I agonized about eating - as a fat person I agonized about eating.

My personal point of view is that we are like alchies or druggie - only difference is that food is our substance of abuse.  And we can't just stop because we need food to live.  We never get cured of this thing - we just have to manage it the best we can - the longer we manage successfully the better we get at it.

I will say this - again this is just for me personally... Once in a while I eat just a bite - a taste and then let it go. But only when I feel in control. Because if I don't have a taste everyonce in a while I know I will find myself in a binge later. My biggest binges always happened while on the most restrictive diets.

This is gonna sound like I went off the deep end a bit,  but I learned about a year a go (from reading a celebrity diet book) the rule of dimishing returns...Meaning if you REALLY want something - taste it but when it isn't "OMG" good stop - for me that is after bite two when I am in tune (in control) with myself.  Meaning I have gone through - Do I really want it - Why do I want it etc... When I am in control I can look the monster in the eye still maintain. If I am not "in tune"  I won't even try it ....  Because I my food monster will likely slay me .   

Kind of a ramble - Hope it makes some sense.

If I really want it and its not on plan, Ill have a bite of it and trust me... all you need is a taste to get it out your system. No regrets. No stress.

thanks everyone!  that's what i hope for, to be able to have a taste or couple bites without gorging myself.

Like the others said, taking a bite or 2 is not gonna kill u. It seems to satify me and make me not feel terribly guilty @ the same time. Also, if I am craving a specific treat, I will go to the store and buy a healthier alternative and eat only 1/2 a serving of it. I log it and at the end of the day, it looks like I didn't really have any bad food cause my cal and fat is still low.
Example:
I love icecream a lot so, instead of getting a blizzard I would get skinny cow brand icecream sandwiches. They are yummy and not real bad.
Just an idea 4 ya. Good luck w ur struggle