As a former big eater I've really been surprised at the lack of appetite, and I don't miss it. I generally have to make myself eat every three to fours hours. It doesn't take much, anywhere from as little as a 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup total volume (+/-) fills me up. Early on it's easy to over eat, you'll only do that one time. Initially drink slow, eventually eat slow and follow the plan that your doc and support staff have worked out for you.

I am 18 months out. Initially, very little hunger (first week or so). After a few weeks, I did experience hunger, but not nearly as intensely as pre-op. By 4-6 months out I was experiencing hunger, but again, it was not as intense as in the past. I also got full eating between 1/2-1 cup of food. The further out I got, the more food I was able to eat. Now I am able to eat 5-6 ounces of protein and 1/2 c of veg at a meal. I can eat 3 scrambled eggs in one meal (early one I could only eat one egg). Hope that helps.

For me even when my stomach is growling loudly I still don't really feel hungry. It's that I know at that point I need to eat but whether I do or not is no big deal. I get cranky when I'm hungry so when I hear/feel my stomach I do make sure to eat something though.

I must be an anomaly because I have found that I can eat more than I ever thought I would be able to again. After surgery, I was full like everyone else. But I found that only after a couple of months --- I felt hungry again. I must say that I was kind of disappointed about that but I had read it on a couple web sites so I suspected that it could happen. I wanted to post this so that you could hear another side. I stalled frequently but mostly because I tested my limits. I am back on the program and I am losing again. But it took some trial and error and it took some refocusing and dealing with challenges that don't "automatically" disappear with the surgery (stress eating, carb addiction, etc.)...if that makes sense. Best wishes to you!

I am nearly 2 months out. At first I did not feel hungry or thirsty. I do feel hunger now but it is only around meal time and am satisfied after a few bites which holds me while after my meal. I also have to remind myself to drink the protein shakes. Before surgery I guess I had head hunger because nothing seemed to satisfy and I would often over eat. Now I take much smaller portions, eat the protein first and make sure to chew foods thoroughly. If I am tempted to eat too quickly or too much I get really uncomfortable which is a good reminder to slow down.

I also wanted to post a "flip side". I am about 6 months out and feel hungry again. However, what I find is that now I eat like my "skinny friends"- a small portion and I can push it away when I feel satisfied. Unlike some on here I can eat anything and everything- it's choices that are important for me. Ie you can have a half cup of icecream but maybe push that glass of wine away and get some exercise lol. Or whole grain sprouted crackers versus ritz. Little things that add up to a larger picture of healthy eating.

However, I feel so much more in control of everything (food, exercise, my LIFE) that I don't think I could have even imagined it before surgery. Even the basic behavior mods were almost impossible pre op because my stomach was a bottomless pit. Long story short- I have been in your boat. I read literally probably 10000 stories and perspectives and still don't think I read a single one that was exactly like my story. They were all helpful and informative in a way. The one thing I will say that rings true for almost every person is that most don't regret surgery for a minute

I'm 18 months post op. I havent had the reduction in feelings of hunger that other people have mentioned. I do have food cravings but I always have so it definately hasn't made any difference in that sense. I have to strictly monitor my intake with MFP to keep me on track. Having said that, I fill up very quickly and still think it is the best thing I have ever done, I only wish I had had it done years ago!