Head Hunger Is In Full Effect

[LynRN 294]

1 week post op on full liquids here. I can't get my mind off of food! Is this normal? I just want to chew something! I see my doc on Thursday and should be advanced to purees. Thursday cannot get here soon enough. I am dying for a scrambled egg.

[TurnThePage 220]

Completely understand the desire to eat real food again, but go really slow with eggs and try a few tiny bites first then wait awhile. Many people can't handle them for months. They seem to feel inordinately heavy, on the way down and in the pouch. And they don't taste nearly as good the 2nd time around if they come back up!

[Brialis 22]

I'm 11 days post op and my stomach seems to growl a lot and I seem to feel hungry all the time. I do ok in getting my Water in and try to do meals and Snacks on regular intervals. I feel like I'm so hungry at times that when I have my broth, I can easily have about 8 ounces without thinking. I may or may. It feel slightly nauseated but I never have a full feeling. It's almost like I have my regular size stomach still in there. My weight loss feels fairly incredible. I do, however, feel like a chow hound, of sorts.

[lessismore67 158]

Yes! This is normal for some sleevers. The hunger hit me four days post-op and I started to wonder if the surgery was a failure for me! The best thing you can do is make sure you have as much Protein as you can within the guidelines given to you by your surgeon/dietician. Even though I hated them I turned to the Optifast shakes. I also used Protein powder in my liquids/broths and had tiny mouthfuls of greek yoghurt. It really helped. The hunger settled right down after I got onto puree and mashed food but I have never really lost my appetite like some people report.

BTW the surgery *is* working wonderfully for me. I have lost 30kg in 22 weeks and still losing. You will as well. Just hang in there and do not eat anything that hasn't been recommended for you. This is the last bit of the tough part of your journey. Good luck

[Brialis 22]

Sorry, I should have read first. I may or may not feel slightly nauseated.

[Brialis 22]

Thank you SO MUCH... I was feeling that I was failing my surgery, not that my surgery was failing me. I've lost 27lbs since my pre op diet. I just don't like feeling hungry. I'm not doing as well as I could be with the Protein so I will make that a priority starting tomorrow. Puréed foods start on Friday!

[TurnThePage 220]

Some nerves are cut during surgery, so you may not have the same old feeling of fullness anytime soon, perhaps never. Often you will find you get different signals. That's why it is so very important to eat slowly and do not consume anything beyond the recommended portion size for your post-op stage. You might not be able to feel your body responding to an oversized drink or portion until it makes you really uncomfortable. Even if you can eat or drink a large portion, that doesn't mean you should do so. Those large portions are what got you into this mess in the first place, right? The surgery is a tool that enables you to be satisfied with much smaller, more normal portions, but it is still only a tool. You still have to make smart choices about the amount you eat and the types of foods you eat.

Much of what you are feeling at this early stage is "head hunger" not real hunger. Take the time to research head hunger and emotional hunger vs. real hunger. It's critical to understand the difference and know how to recognize and manage your head hunger. Lots of previous posts here on the subject and more info on websites of major clinics like Cleveland Clinic, mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins.

Stomach growling may just be your body adjusting to the surgery and its effects and most likely has nothing to do with actual hunger.

Edited December 3, 2013 by TurnThePage

[No game 14,436]

Have you had the sleeve surgery?

Some nerves are cut during surgery, so you may not have the same old feeling of fullness anytime soon, perhaps never. Often you will find you get different signals. That's why it is so very important to eat slowly and do not consume anything beyond the recommended portion size for your post-op stage. You might not be able to feel your body responding to an oversized drink or portion until it makes you really uncomfortable. Even if Ok bear with me because I'm about to have verbal vomit spewing everywhere? My daughter (almost 18) went through some hard times and started cutting too. She is gay and it was not a good year for her when she was a freshman coming out...

I found her help through the gay straight alliance at school and looking online for groups.. can eat or drink a large portion, that doesn't mean you should do so. Those large portions are what got you into this mess in the first place, right? The surgery is a tool that enables you to be satisfied with much smaller, more normal portions, but it is still only a tool. You still have to make smart choices about the amount you eat and the types of foods you eat. Much of what you are feeling at this early stage is "head hunger" not real hunger. Take the time to research head hunger and emotional hunger vs. real hunger. It's critical to understand the difference and know how to recognize and manage your head hunger. Lots of previous posts here on the subject and more info on websites of major clinics like Cleveland Clinic, mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins. Stomach growling may just be your body adjusting to the surgery and its effects and most likely has nothing to do with actual hunger.

[Brialis 22]

Yes, I had surgery on the 22nd. It's funny how I honestly thought I had researched everything so as to be truly prepared. The term 'head hunger' isn't new to me, however, I didn't know I'd lose the sensation of feeling full. I think this is where I started to run into some confusion and frustration. I realize I need more Protein and to eat slower and wait for whatever new signals by body has in telling me I've had enough.

[No game 14,436]

Lol I was asking the other person. It sounds like he or she is on the wrong forum and is speaking about RNY (bypass) surgery

You are still on full liquids?

Most of us felt exactly the same way when on just liquids.

When liquids hit the sleeved stomach they tend to empty out pretty fast. Your restriction will come into play later when you start eating purée then soft and so on. Oh and yes you will feel fullness. But perhaps not on the first weeks because your stomach is still numb that is why it's very important to measure you food.

Yes, I had surgery on the 22nd. It's funny how I honestly thought I had researched everything so as to be truly prepared. The term 'head hunger' isn't new to me, however, I didn't know I'd lose the sensation of feeling full. I think this is where I started to run into some confusion and frustration. I realize I need more Protein and to eat slower and wait for whatever new signals by body has in telling me I've had enough.

[gomekast 559]

I've hit a bit of head hunger the last few days and I'm 6 weeks out...but I think mine may be from not getting Water in. I just cant seem to hit my water goals on just water yet. I'm not snacking or grazing at all. I'm sticking with my plan and not giving in to the food thoughts that creep in.

I also have my therapy apt this week too...that will help me.

[ejsfanatic 98]

I've hit a bit of head hunger the last few days and I'm 6 weeks out...but I think mine may be from not getting Water in. I just cant seem to hit my water goals on just water yet. I'm not snacking or grazing at all. I'm sticking with my plan and not giving in to the food thoughts that creep in. I also have my therapy apt this week too...that will help me.

I have the same issue with water so I have been really hitting the ice pops hard. I think that may be my saving grace.

[Arts137 1,811]

Water helps make you feel full for a little while. Always work to get that Water in.

Some have early hunger, some very little... Some (like me) are not so sure what the heck hunger feels like. I just ate all the time (in the bad old days). Now I don't mind the hunger. I plan my eating and follow the plan (for me, snap decisions on "a little of this" or "a bite of that" or "just one cookie", is generally NOT a good idea. I am an addict and must pay attention.

DO 'go slow' in the early days. add things a little bit at a time and one thing at a time to make sure that you tolerate foods well.

And start now thinking about behavior changes and (what I call) the Fat Brain.

A

[LynRN 294]

Lol I was asking the other person. It sounds like he or she is on the wrong forum and is speaking about RNY (bypass) surgery

You are still on full liquids?

Most of us felt exactly the same way when on just liquids.

When liquids hit the sleeved stomach they tend to empty out pretty fast. Your restriction will come into play later when you start eating purée then soft and so on. Oh and yes you will feel fullness. But perhaps not on the first weeks because your stomach is still numb that is why it's very important to measure you food.

Yes, I had surgery on the 22nd. It's funny how I honestly thought I had researched everything so as to be truly prepared. The term 'head hunger' isn't new to me, however, I didn't know I'd lose the sensation of feeling full. I think this is where I started to run into some confusion and frustration. I realize I need more Protein and to eat slower and wait for whatever new signals by body has in telling me I've had enough.

Were you talking to me? I'm the OP. I was sleeved on 11/25. Why does it sound like I'm posting in the wrong forum (if u are talking to me, that is). I was really just wanting to know if the constant thinking about food is normal. I don't actually feel hungry. I just want to taste some real food, chew something. I think most of the posters have talked about actual hunger and eating, I'm more concerned about having food on the brain. BTW, I am getting my 64 oz of Water in and my 60-80g of Protein in daily. I'm just sick of all the liquids and I definitely feel full after a Protein shake, yogurt, or cream Soup.

[Busymomof3 181]

I know the feeling of "head hunger" well. I'm 7 weeks post and my tummy is full of the Protein shake I'm drinking but the leftover cake in the breakroom is calling my name.