I need some help and support.... I am 12 days post op and had been doing awesome until today. I have not had any hunger or cravings but all of the sudden head hunger kicked in! All I can think about is having some real non liquid food! Any ideas of how to outsmart my brain and forget about solid food!?!

First of all really well done and welcome to the club!!

Head hunger can be hard to deal with at first but remember it's your stomach that's been sleeved, not your head. Twelve days is a long time for the head hunger to kick in; I was two days post op and longing for a full English Breakfast and from my hospital bed I was watching every food program the TV had to offer!

How mad was that????!!!!!

First thing I did was ban myself from watching food programs. The second was to get here, read posts and get reassurance that I was ok. You have reached out in the same way and this is one of the key aspects to the emotional healing that also has to take place with being sleeved.

You can't do the old things that got you to being sleeved in the first place. That life is over. Your head knows it and I think there are feelings of loss for the old life we had. Turning to food was easy - even if the consequences were hard to bear but trust me, the benefits of coaxing the head and emotions to work with the sleeve are fantastic!!!

But it requires work: you know yourself best and listen to what you need and give it to yourself (trust me, it's not food!). Talk it out with a trusted friend or counsellor, use this website and as you heal physically get into walking and exercise. These help keep the head distracted and de-stressed.

Good luck - and keep updating xx

Edited June 12, 201511 yr by Laydee_G

Thank you so much! It is strange how my old mind seems to be clinging to old habits with everything I have; luckily I'm growing a new mind that is trying to take control! You are so right in that support always helps.

My old self kept things in and just ate through them... Well no more!!

Your words gave me a boost I needed today.... I am very grateful!

I got this!!

Yes you do!!!!

That's what I needed to hear too. Thanks so much

Stop all sugar free jello and Popsicles etc... As soon as I stopped all sugar free stuff I stopped being hungry! Sugar free products causes cravings!