I Need Help With My Head Hunger!

[Jack Fabulous 35]

I am about 5 weeks out of surgery and I can't seem to control my head hunger. I'm really worried. I've given in a couple of times but mostly I try to wait at least 3 hours between meals. I want to eat even when I am full and this is driving me crazy. I don't know what to do about it. I tried sugar free popsicles, but really nothing seems to work. Did anyone else feel this way? Does the head hunger get better/easier to manage? I'm at my wits end with this thing!

[Mab 44]

I'm pre-surgery and trying to work out head hunger for myself, but...

When do you most notice your head hunger? Is it constant, does it come at the cessation of activity. I guess I'm trying to see if there is a correlation between head hunger and boredom/inactivity. I know there is with me, so I'm putting together a Head Hunger Survival Pack. It's got nail polish, some huge fashion magazines, a couple of books I've been wanting to read....I'm also thinking about making some Head Hunger flash cards with tasks on them. You know - ones that say "do a load of laundry" "clean out your car" "call your mother" "clean the toilet"...

If we didn't all have head hunger or at least had it for a long period of time, none of us would be here. Our relationship(s) with food is what gives us our common ground. You will get to the other side. So will I. So will those gorgeous men and women lurking. Consider me a friend, okay?

[Dooter 1,457]

I thought I was having head hunger, but once my stomach is full, I don't care anymore. Problem is....my stomach starts growling again way sooner than it should! Especially before bed time. Maybe if I figure out your head hunger, you can figure out my stomach hunger! OK.....I've got my thinking cap on.....

[Mab 44]

I thought I was having head hunger, but once my stomach is full, I don't care anymore. Problem is....my stomach starts growling again way sooner than it should! Especially before bed time. Maybe if I figure out your head hunger, you can figure out my stomach hunger! OK.....I've got my thinking cap on.....

Dooter, could you be experiencing acid indigestion? Perhaps speaking with your doctor would result in some answers - and relief.

[EnjoyingWhoIAmBecoming 16]

Mab i LOVE your survival packet method..will try it !!!

[Swimmer 199]

I think it gets better. Pre op and early on I noticed every food ad and after reading your post I realized I never do that anymore. Though I admit eating just isn't fun anymore. I end up feeling yucky no matter how slowly or little I eat, but the head hunger is pretty much gone for me at eight weeks. Good luck.

[Lissa 2,631]

If you are really having a problem with eating between meals, there are a couple of things you can do. If you're not taking an acid reducer, you need to talk to your doctor about one now. The next step is to log everything you eat in some kind of food tracker. I like My Fitness Pal, but there are several to choose from out there. Also, plan to eat smaller meals more frequently. I eat my three meals a day, plus two planned Snacks, always concentrating on Protein. Lastly, ADD MORE Water. Water helps encourage weight loss in our bodies and flushes toxins. It also fills up our sleeves and helps us to avoid eating when we are really thirsty.

I really like the idea of the head hunger survival pack! That's great as well and, especially if you add in some small exercise tasks, it could be a great help on the road to exercise as well. How about adding in some things like "Walk around the building", "Do 15 biceps curls", "Do 5 lunges"? You could even add in treats related to eating. One of my favorite Snacks is to have a mini babybel lite cheese or a sugar free pudding. Or, you could make sure that all of the tasks are non-food related if you like.

For me, the best motivator is seeing the numbers: pounds lost, current weight, high weight and goal weight. I also am really enjoying the ability to move better and have more endurance for life tasks. I concentrate on those things when I want to do something I know I shouldnt, but I also enjoy being able to live like a normal person these days, so I leave myself some leeway on eating things that I really enjoy. I will have a piece of chocolate or a drink now and then. IF I really want something after a reasonable time, I'll let myself have a bite or two, then I'll move on. It's amazing to be able to leave the rest of some calorie laden treat on the plate rather than feeling like I must eat it all!

[bella143 8]

I'm one week post ope tomorrow and too am suffering from head hunger! I want to eat everything in site. I'm craving food and all i do is think about food. I'm still on my liquid diet and i can't wait until next week when I'm on soft foods. Hope it gets better for you! I've been told it does, but the way I feel now I can't imagine it will.

[BigCraig 87]

I'm one week post ope tomorrow and too am suffering from head hunger! I want to eat everything in site. I'm craving food and all i do is think about food. I'm still on my liquid diet and i can't wait until next week when I'm on soft foods. Hope it gets better for you! I've been told it does, but the way I feel now I can't imagine it will.

Me to, now my wife is cooking up a storm and needs to learn how to slow it down as I'm not going through all of this just to go back to being stupid.

[can'twait2bthin 1]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the forum , but I have been following you guys for a while , I am 5wks post op as of yesterday and I still have head hunger as well. I've tried everything from eating my Protein first to eating smaller meals through out the day. I also have medication for acid , nothing is seeming to help , and I am at a stall . And i almost forgot to mention that I'm able to eat alot more . Is this normal ? Does anyone have any suggestions on on how to get over my 2 wk stall? I'm getting extremely discouraged .