I'm 6 months out, just about 7 months. My surgery was 6/6/12 I've lost 100 pounds. I'm eating 3 times a day and getting my fluids. Don't have to drink my protein unless I need help getting it along with my food intake. I still have issues with hunger. I know I'm not really hungry but sometimes I can't tell. When I feel this way I get a drink of water and then the full feeling comes back. I am waiting the 30 minutes after eating to drink as I've been told by my nutritionist to do. I've had this issue since before the surgery, am I hungry? My stomach is growling, is it hungry, is it digesting the food I just ate? All this is running through my mind. I've had such an easy time of this whole process. I have been truly blessed with no complications and very little pain during recovery. I've only have had a couple of bouts of getting sick while learning to eat again. I still have a long way to go and I don't want to screw this up! Is anyone else dealing with this? Has anyone gotten through this and does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Head hunger is one of the toughest "habits" to break and to learn if it's true hunger or not. You're already doing a good thing in that when you have this feeling you drink some water. I was told that after drinking water and allowing 20-30 minutes to pass after drinking it that if I still felt I was hungry to ask myself this question. Will and apple help kill the feeling of hunger. If the answer is yes...then eat the apple. If the answer is no...then it's head hunger. It's a weird question but, it does make you stop and think. If it's truly hunger than something healthy wil appease it but, if you're craving is more on something we shouldn't have then it's head hunger or emotional hunger. Hope this helps a bit

Congrats on the 100 pounds gone!

It is a hard habit to break. I was doing well for a while now I find myself wandering around the kitchen at night looking for food and I am not even hungry. I can't believe how much I use to pick at food. I always felt hungry. Thank goodness this gives us a few months to retrain ourselves before the real hunger starts to come back.

I would just as a point of practice make a note of everything you eat.. Whether writing it down or putting it in a app like my fitness pal. Measure too. I just find it helps to visualize what I am putting in my body everyday. At 10 months out I still have a protein shake for breakfast... You might want to try that as protein does help you feel fuller longer. Good luck with your continued success...

Head hunger ugh..boredom hunger I think...I'm fighting it too...not hungry but still want to Munch...i think it would help if I was out of the house doing things...

I am having the same issue. I realize that I am going to have conquer head hunger to continue weight loss long term because over time the amount and variety of food that I can eat will increase. It makes me nervous about the future. I have to find a way to not have food playing e comfort role in my life.

I don't work or get out much...just been a struggle the last couple days..maybE it will pass

I think what I'm noticing tho is that I'm not getting enough fluids so I'm not full...need to work on that again

I think what I'm noticing tho is that I'm not getting enough fluids so I'm not full...need to work on that again

Yes I struggle with getting fluids in and eating enough calories, but as long as im peeing okay and not lethargic, I will just chip away at it like I have been. The holidays are the worst for head hunger. Im visiting my mom and too many treats lying around

Thanks everyone, it really helps knowing I'm not the only one!

I have the same issues, in my head everything sounds good and I think I can sit down and eat a Big Mac, Knowing that I can't (and haven't tried lol) I just wish the thoughts of all the food I used to eat would go away.. I have a sit down job and all I want to do is sit and snack.. Same if I'm at home in the evenings.. I'm still struggling getting my protein b/c the drinks are nasty, my surgery was 10/31-- last weigh in I was down 52 pounds. Some days I feel like I don't get enough "food" just snacks, other days I feel like I eat too much.. Hopefully everything will balance out eventually.

I would just as a point of practice make a note of everything you eat.. Whether writing it down or putting it in a app like my fitness pal. Measure too. I just find it helps to visualize what I am putting in my body everyday. At 10 months out I still have a Protein shake for Breakfast... You might want to try that as protein does help you feel fuller longer. Good luck with your continued success...

What shake do you have?

I just started having this at 7 months out, I don't know what to do, the past few weeks have been very stressful I think this is part of it.

I have the same issues' date=' in my head everything sounds good and I think I can sit down and eat a Big Mac, Knowing that I can't (and haven't tried lol) I just wish the thoughts of all the food I used to eat would go away.. I have a sit down job and all I want to do is sit and snack.. Same if I'm at home in the evenings.. I'm still struggling getting my Protein b/c the drinks are nasty, my surgery was 10/31-- last weigh in I was down 52 pounds. Some days I feel like I don't get enough "food" just Snacks, other days I feel like I eat too much.. Hopefully everything will balance out eventually.[/quote']

I am same way. Surgery was10/29 and I am down total 63 pounds 11 if that pre op. The evenings are the worst for me with the head hunger and still craving cigs even though I quit 6 months ago. Its totllal boredom and what I was use too like snacking and smoking while reading or watching TV. It seems its getting harder then easier somedays

I sure hear you guys...for me I call it boredom hunger..i don't work (disabled) and so I'm home always! It gets hard to occupy the mind..I've been trying to force myself on the exc bike everytime I think about eating when I shouldn't...that's not always working tho

I think this weekend I'm going to try the 5 day pouch test, I want to try to shrink my pouch and break the carb addiction, if possible. I let you know how that goes.