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Head Hunger

Krazyklaws

By Krazyklaws, in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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Krazyklaws    9

Krazyklaws
Posted

Hi all. I'm due to get my sleeve on the 28th August and I've spent the last week trawling these forums for inspiration. There is lots so thank you! I've heard a few if you mention 'head hunger' which struck a cord with me. I eat when I'm hungry (which is almost always!), but also when I fancy something tasty, or when I'm bored. I don't think I comfort eat so much, but I'm sure that the coping mechanism is similar.

What tactics do you used to deal with these?

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jessiquoi    623

jessiquoi
Posted

i have two that work for me very well.

1. talk it out with my boyfriend, who is willing to listen to me for hours talk about how much i NEED to have some ice cream or a turkey club sandwich, but won't have one because i don't want to derail my journey, but i NEED it, but i won't, maybe i will, would you have some with me, will you share it, no i CAN'T have it, i WANT it.... you get the picture. he is a saint.

2. go to sleep early.

i'm not very good at transfering the comfort received from food to anything else yet except interacting with my boyfriend. i am hoping to pick up crafts again... that always helped me when i was dieting in the past, keeping my hands busy. i am also hoping to regain my gym rat status and transfer to working out, after i lose enough weight to allow me to walk more than 5 minutes.

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MeganC    62

MeganC
Posted

I have the same problem, I eat when I think I want it.. And if I don't eat I think about it constantly. Its like trying to quit smoking :(

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Krazyklaws    9

Krazyklaws
Posted

When I gave up smoking (12+ years ago) I used to go and wash my hands whenever I got the urge for a ciggie break. I had the cleanest hands ever!

Maybe that will work for food? I've tried cleaning my teeth when dieting in the past.... Not quite as successful.

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fezik23    240

fezik23
Posted

I am fortunate that my bedroom is a full flight of stairs away from the kitchen..mostly I stay in my room. I also "listen" to my sleeve. I ask it what it's trying to tell me. My sleeve is wiser than my head.

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Tamlyn    107

Tamlyn
Posted

I knit. I read. I come on here and read what other people are going through. Anything to keep my mind and my hands busy.

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Go To Topic Listing Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

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    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
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    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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