NYCousin!
I find evenings very hard too. I try to eat dinner a bit later and wait three hours to have my dessert as my snack. I make homemade hot chocolate to have with my dessert and that seems to help. I think I've posted the recipe before, but if you can't find it, let me know. It should be safe even in P1.
Losing 5 pounds can be a HUGE thing, especially with mitigating circumstances like surgery. Try to focus more on your health, on how clothes are fitting, and on how you feel than just on pounds. They can be so deceiving and can sabotage your weight loss when they make you feel discouraged.
I know Dr. A does say that you shouldn't be hungry...if you feel hungry, try thinking first about whether you are really hungry (you feel rumbles in your stomach, an empty, hollow feeling, you feel dizzy/faint/tired, etc.) or if it's in your head. Sometimes we eat out of boredom or emotional responses. If it's the latter, you can do tons of things to keep your mind off it. Get out of the kitchen, get your hands working on a project, chew SF gum, take a bath, exercise, etc. If you do feel truly hungry, try drinking 8 oz of water and see how you are in a couple minutes. Sometimes we think we're hungry but we're really just thirsty. If you're still hungry, have a snack...combine protein and vegetables to make something that will fill you up and make you stay full for a while.
Hope this helps...sorry that things have been quiet lately. I'm sure there are lots of Beachies who can relate to your situation!