Appetite From a June 2012 sleever

[Joy00 18]

Please please any advice out there to control this raging appetite. It started again after 3 o'clock I want to eat everything in sight. Is there anyone out there that has advice on how to control this hunger.

[cindymg 629]

Is it physical hunger, as in stomach growling? If yes, maybe it's acid. Do you have an acid reducer? If no, Pepcid makes a chewable that you can use. I had this problem my first 6 weeks after surgery -- especially at night. Turns out it was acid.

Now when I think I'm hungry, it's actually that I am thirsty. A drink sometimes helps.

I am 12 weeks out, and I don't get those hunger pangs anymore. I get tired or weak and then I think, "oh, I must need to eat." That's a small miracle for me.

The other thing is head hunger. I have that when I am working (not thrilled with my job right now). For that, you might want to consider a therapist. I am about to start seeing someone if the head hunger doesn't stop bugging me.

[Joy00 18]

It's not physical hunger sometimes I will see something pick it up eat it and think about it after that I shouldn't eat it. So I think it's probably head hunger I'm more than one year post op and about two months ago the feeling has gotten stronger that I can't resist I'm trying to focus on I paid out of pocket for this and I don't want to waste my hard earned money.

[cindymg 629]

It's not physical hunger sometimes I will see something pick it up eat it and think about it after that I shouldn't eat it. So I think it's probably head hunger I'm more than one year post op and about two months ago the feeling has gotten stronger that I can't resist I'm trying to focus on I paid out of pocket for this and I don't want to waste my hard earned money.

If I bring home something that starts "talking" to me (you know, the "eat me, eat me" chant), in the trash it goes. Yeah, it's annoying to spend the money, but better dumping it in the trash than using my body as a trash can, right?

I have read a number of books by other WLS patients. Helps me stay focused on what I am doing -- and why. There are a number of good books on Amazon. You might like a book entitled "Beyond the Refrigerator," or "it Ain't Over Until the Thin Lady Sings." Both by sleevers. Another good book is "Hungry" by Allen Zadoff. He's not a WLS patient, but he has an interesting perspective on compulsive eating.

Hope this helps. If you have the opportunity, therapy is still a good idea. Or join a support group.

Good luck!

[becogolfer 68]

You might try eating some Protein like chicken with cheese etc. You can't hold too much and it will keep away the hunger for a few hours. You might need to eat 5-6 meals a day but if they are small and protein you should do great. It's your new way of eating. I have 5 or 6 meals a day but the are small and it keeps me from getting too hungry. Remember that many carbs will spike your hunger and are often sliders, a no no.