HELP! How Can I Tell If I Head Hunger or Real Hunger

[Tbeek 21]

I am 3 weeks post op and I seem to be always hungry. In fact I think about food a lot (day dream about naughty foods). I see a commercial about food or a yummy photo and I drool ( my husband calls it food porn). I still have all of my cravings and have had no complications at all after having my surgery. Sometimes I wonder if I even had the surgery because I feel so normal.

Currently I am on an acid control tablet, I eat puréed foods at about 1 to 2 oz at a time 6x a day and I take small bites and eat slow. I have yet to experience nausia or pain from being too full, let alone feel full.

How can I tell the difference between head hunger and real hunger? Do you ever loose any cravings ( I still crave sweets). Thanks in advance for your input!!

[kimeryk22 2]

Hi Tbeek! I'm a newbie too though I had my surgery 14 weeks ago. From your description it sounds like we are having similar experiences...I also haven't been nauseous and still have cravings and I've often felt just...normal...as if I could dig into a plate full of something. I have had a few times that I feel over full but it seems to be times that I ate too fast. When I eat slowly I don't seem to get the "full" feeling. It keeps making me wonder if I haven't stretched out my stomach already. I weigh everything and log it both in a paper journal and CalorieCount.com. Even when I cheat I log it because I figure if I am honest with myself then I've got a better chance of getting back on track.

I don't know if your husband heard the "food porn" comment somewhere or not but it perfectly describes it. Pastries or pizzas...the carbs and sweets call to me...luckily my logging keeps me from going head-first (mouth-first) into the calories. I bought some Carbquik and some high Protein snack from the Bariatric Pal Store and they have helped me keep on track. I look forward to seeing any responses you get to your question since it is could me insight to mine also.

Edited December 10, 2015 by kimeryk22

[Sophie74656 1,572]

I still get cravings too, I still love food. Generally when I have a craving the first thing I do is have something to drink, usually something sweet like some crystal light or something. A lot of times that makes the craving go away

[Author Andrea 16]

I'm gonna try the crystal lite thing for the cravings. I'm starting week 4 but after 4th or 5th day I craved. I blamed it on the liquid diet.< /p>

I still crave but since I'm on soft foods I'm ok. I did have 1 Day that I didn't get full. I thought it weird and was afraid I stretched my stomach. But that made me more mindful. I chew good, eat slow and then sit back and wait my 30min to drink Water. If food going too slow, I sip then wait. Usually like now I'm full.

I messed up & have eaten things from week 5 menu, chicken but I catch myself and eat right. I was out of town so it couldn't be helped. Just weigh or measure, regardless to your appetite. That way you're on control, even if you slip. I've seen people slip and just take one bite to satisfy. The calories are still far less than prior to surgery

[Proud2BMe 1,016]

It's all head hunger. Did you do the 2 week pre-op diet? If so then that usually clears out much of that as you are no longer eating carbs. After surgery you aren't going to have real hunger from anywhere from 6 months to a year or more after surgery.

[Kindle 8,667]

You are describing head hunger and mental cravings to a "T". "Daydreaming about food". "Drooling over food photos". This is DEFINITELY head hunger. Sounds like you are eating plenty to satisfy your actual needs. Are you feeling weak? Fatigued? Light headed? Hard time concentrating? These would be physical and mental signs that you are actually lacking adequate nutrition. And if you really are hungry, you will be satisfied with anything from yogurt to pureed veggies to Soup to a Protein shake. If it's something specific you're "hungry" for, it's head hunger.

And the cravIngs never go away. It's a battle you will fight forever. You need to find a way to retrain your brain for long term succes. But you can help lessen your sweet tooth by staying away from carbs. They just make you crave more carbs. And also be aware that many of the artificial sweeteners out there affect your brain chemistry the same as real sugar, so they can create cravings, too.