It's only day 4 and I'm trying my hardest to hang in there. I remember someone else posting about head hunger and I tried to give him encouragement saying what I would do if I was in his shoes but I realize its waaaay more complicated than that. I get it now, I understand man. I'm not used to being long term hungry whatsoever and my mind and my body cannot stand this feeling. I have tried to cheat it, I eat several packets of my oatmeal and broth at a time, I've been sleeping a lot more to ignore it and keep myself busy.

I don't think it's mental, I feel my tummy actually yearning for food. I try to drink more fluids but I don't crave liquid at all (which is odd because I'm a soda addict and was chugging up to 8 cans or more a day ) I have to force myself to drink a single bottle of Water in a day. I know this is not good because when I have the surgery I'll need to try to get down 64oz of water daily. I've even started to crave the metal spoon I eat my oatmeal with and got an appetite for it, I've started thinking about eating my own fingers (which I won't but been chewing on them lol) but this is crazy!

I've been second guessing whether or not I'm ready for this surgery, thinking about how "happy" and fulfilled food made me feel and all the pleasure I take in eating. I know I need to have this surgery, I have too many problems not to. My life will not get any better if I don't. I really want a better quality of life which is why I want to do this. I'm sure this is only the first battle I just hope I can hang.

Edited March 27, 201610 yr by crazygoose

Oatmeal is allowed on pre-op liquid phase ?

That is a lot different than mine was. I was pretty much allowed 3-4 Premier (3 other approved varieties) shakes a day with a ton of Water or non-calorie drink.

I gutted it out but I did kill the diet sodas & water.

This phase certainly sucks.....no ifs ands or buts about it.....sucks outright.

It passes quickly and then you are impressed with the weight loss you experienced during this phase and then onto the other side after surgery. Ironically, the same diet, when experienced on the other side, seems like a breeze. You can't believe you are there.....done.....so relieved to there.

Gut check time is now. You are amping up your weight loss efforts and will see great results during this.....and roll into surgery already on a great rate of loss.

Get yourself some water flavoring and make peace with drinking water. The Dasani grape flavored water is something I found that was really good.....give some of these flavored versions a try.

It sucks. It seems to be necessary. It'll lead towards a safer surgery.

You've got this.

I just wrote something similar last night. I think we have to keep in mind that we are reducing calories, it messes with our emotions. If you notice you have ups and downs. My surgery is this Wed. and I was doubting my decision to have surgery. In the end I think I will be greatly disappointed if I pass on this. Hang in there and listen to the ones who have done it. I have to have faith they know more than we do. At the same time I have to own up to my part in the food intake.

Good luck in surgery

Sent from my SM-G900V using the BariatricPal App

I think it's good you are questioning if you are ready for surgery. I say that, because I think some people go into this unprepared.

I see it all the time here, head hunger. I can safely assure you even though many don't admit it, if we're to the point of having surgery. We have food addiction issues.

I took a year, before surgery and got into intensive therapy. Because I am a food addict. That's how I got to 345lbs. I weighed more than that in my life too. I am just like any other addict. (I am disabled, so I don't drive, and rely on others to take me shopping) I hid my consumption from others, even the food I was buying in my cart. I lied to people about what I was eating. Or that I was making food for others, and it was really all for me. Whole batches of cupcakes and pans of Enchiladas or enough donuts, chips and Snacks to kill an elephant loaded in my cart, was explained away as food for an upcoming party. I started panicking when I was getting low on my favorite foods. I, an out of control diabetic, was eating extremely carb heavy meals, topped off with 3 cupcakes and big glass of milk, and would sit on the sofa....and start nodding out like a heroin addict. I'd sleep for hours, wake, repeat. That was my life. Trust me, I am so aware I could fall off that wagon at any time. Emotional upsets tend to set me off...but, with the help of my therapist who I still see, twice a month, helped me find other things to replace that good feeling I got from nodding out on the sofa. Now, that I am 50 lbs away from my goal...I am so determined, and have said goodbye to not only 145lbs, but all those huge clothes that used to hang in my closet. Along with all those bad eating habits I had. Gone, but not forgotten. I kept the outfit I wore the day of my surgery, as a remembrance of where I came from.

My surgeon told me, I shouldn't experience physical hunger, and for the past 10 months he's been right. I have not had physical hunger since my surgery. He did his job.

I did my job too, because I have not had head hunger either. That was because I worked through the what's and why's. What happened in my life that made me want to eat my emotions? What was missing in me that made me want to fill it up with food? Why couldn't I stop on my own? I had a LOT to face. More than most of these bariatric programs ever even attempt to cover with their psych evaluations. Sorry, 1 test, and an hour with a Psychologist is NOT enough.

So, yes, ask yourself if you are ready, because the head hunger, that's probably not going to go away. In my opinion, you really need to get that in check. I'm not being mean or harsh, just real with you.

I wish you luck with everything.

If you really want this....it's yours.

Edited March 27, 201610 yr by SkinnyDown

I thought the pre-op diet was the worst part. Your hunger will be diminished - if not completely gone - after the surgery. Mine didn't come back until I was about six months out.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and advice. I'm still hanging in there determined to follow this liquid diet and not let the temptations of food deter me from getting WLS.

@@Dub Yep I can have Healthwise oatmeal until Wednesday then I have to stop it 7 days before my surgery. I will definitely give the flavored Water a try. Thanks!

@@Lori222 Good luck with your surgery. Yeah the ups and downs are real and I'm glad I'm not the only one having doubts about the surgery.

@@SkinnyDown Omg you sound so much like me. I always had to hide what I eat and was ashamed to eat in front of people. I remember going to Mc Donald's and ordering two double quarter pounders with cheese or going to Chick-Fil-A and ordering three sandwiches and just not to sound like a pig I would be like "Oh she wants one without pickles" but all that food was just for me. Food addiction is real and I've been also talking to my therapist about it. I've been trying to channel my addictive behavior into something more positive. Well I don't know if its positive but lately its been more along the lines of online window shopping and watching beauty tutorials on youtube. I really want to channel the addictive behavior into something even better like exercising and getting in shape.

@@catwoman7 That's why I'm really looking forward to the surgery. Get rid of this hunger for all things unhealthy and control how much I eat. Really looking forward to that diminishing.

Edited March 29, 201610 yr by crazygoose

@@crazygoose

You really got this if you want it. Trust me, it's so worth it, even 49 lbs away from my goal, I can tell you I am a NEW human being. You just have to get your head in the right place, and realize food....is for nourishment, make it nothing, because it is, nothing.

You know what I'm a little bit addicted to now?

Window shopping.

I never ever ...I mean that, EVER thought I would care about fashion this much, but you know what, I DO! Not anyone else's style but my own, and what I want to wear, but I'm getting close to that point, that I can start wearing the things I really really want to. That I have always wanted to, but they didn't look right on such a big body.

I'm addicted to following this program. Eating what I should, doing what I'm supposed to, writing down EVERYTHING I put into my mouth. Not bringing crap into the house anymore. I stay away from those isles in the grocery store. I literally made a decision to live. You look young, the ONLY regret I have is that I didn't get my head together sooner, and do this 25 years ago!

I'm addicted to being accountable and responsible for me, now.

I am pulling for you, and want you to succeed so much! Just get your head there, and get determined, and you can do this. You can! I wish you every good thought and luck.