Head Hunger is REAL!!

[MizzNewLife 32]

I feel by now I should have lost more weight. I keep letting my head hunger get me... every time. If its not my head hunger then Im drinking my cals in non fat half sweet starbucks drinks. I know I need to nip this in the butt now to be successful long term. How did you all fight head hunger? Also I find myself filling a vent starbucks cup with 1/4 juice, 2 shots vodka or tequila and the rest Water = 20 fl. Ill drink two of these cups in the evening.... 40 fl of liquids... counts right?? yeah probably not

[summerset 5,265]

1 hour ago, MizzNewLife said:

How did you all fight head hunger?

I strongly recommend books about "normal eating". To name three authors: Karen Koenig, Geneen Roth, Evelyn Tribole.

[elcee 3,343]

Drinking calories is one of the quickest and easiest ways to fail. They are not filling, they go through really easily and they are generally empty calories.

Stick to drinks that are not full of empty calories. If after you have had a drink you are still hungry then eat something that is on your plan. Make sure that your food is interesting. Boring food doesn’t help.

[elcee 3,343]

4 shots of alcohol every night is not a good idea! That certainly won’t help your weight loss.

[FluffyChix 17,418]

Gosh. I don't even know where to start.

I'm seriously concerned for you and your well being. Not just from the drinking your calorie part, but as much the alcohol (and juice) combo.

Did you receive any pre-op education? Do you have a post-op dietary guideline from your doc or RD? The first place to start if you CANNOT do this on your own by accessing and applying your personal responsibility would be to see your doc, your RD and ask for a counselor PDQ.

Your surgery is a tool. It's a "nail", but you are the hammer. Without your actions (repetitive and applied force), the nail does not do its job. And even then, there are MANY nails that will need to be employed to lose and maintain your weight. Not just the one nail from the surgery. Think about it. It takes multiple nails to hold up a house!

WL Nails:

Healthy Diet Plan

WLS

Exercise

Relaxation Exercises and Deep Breathing

Re or Balancing Your Once Toxic Relationship with Eating for Comfort or Eating Emotionally

Re or Balancing Your Once Toxic Relationship With food (making healthy choices over eating crap)

Re or Balancing Your Once Toxic Relationship With Family/Friends

Balancing Work Schedules

and I could go on and on with the number of nails you need to act upon as the hammer, in order to keep your house level!

Edited November 11, 2018 by FluffyChix

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

9 hours ago, MizzNewLife said:

I feel by now I should have lost more weight. I keep letting my head hunger get me... every time. If its not my head hunger then Im drinking my cals in non fat half sweet starbucks drinks. I know I need to nip this in the butt now to be successful long term. How did you all fight head hunger? Also I find myself filling a vent starbucks cup with 1/4 juice, 2 shots vodka or tequila and the rest Water = 20 fl. Ill drink two of these cups in the evening.... 40 fl of liquids... counts right?? yeah probably not

Yes, head hunger is a major b!tch. But, even though you're losing weight now, you're setting yourself up for major regain once the "honeymoon" is over.

You sound like you may be getting pretty dehydrated. Everything that you listed is a diuretic. (Coffee, alcohol) Are you getting other liquids in? Dehydration can mimic hunger. You need to get those non-calorienon-caffeinated drinks into you. Maybe try a Decaf coffee with 1/3 of a Protein Shake for the sweetener/creamer? Many on here love to add the Premier Protein caramel or chocolate to their decaf. I love vanilla in my decaf chai tea for a chai latte (grocery stores or online for the decaf chai tea bags.)

Acid also mimics hunger. The next time you're hungry, try chewing a Tums. If the hunger subsides, check with your doctor about an acid-reducing medicine.

Above all else, if you can't get this under control yourself, please reach out to your team or to a therapist. You've gone through too much to not give yourself your best shot at success. Good luck!

Edited November 11, 2018 by Orchids&Dragons

[MizzNewLife 32]

Thanks for all your feedback and comments. I guess I just needed other people to tell me what I know in the back of my mind (basically that I’m screwing up and need to get it together) I’m going to try my best to get back on track and stop drinking empty high calorie drinks and sugars.

It’s hard I though oh surgery is going to be a breeze I will lose weight and be happy! But my food struggles are still loud and clear. My binge eating still temps me. My emotions still temp me. Everything is the same just my stomach can’t hold all the food anymore.

[FluffyChix 17,418]

5 hours ago, MizzNewLife said:

Thanks for all your feedback and comments. I guess I just needed other people to tell me what I know in the back of my mind (basically that I’m screwing up and need to get it together) I’m going to try my best to get back on track and stop drinking empty high calorie drinks and sugars.

It’s hard I though oh surgery is going to be a breeze I will lose weight and be happy! But my food struggles are still loud and clear. My binge eating still temps me. My emotions still temp me. Everything is the same just my stomach can’t hold all the food anymore.

YW, but you MUST take this VERY seriously...3-6oz of vodka per day post WLS is a recipe for liver failure, cirrhosis, and death PDQ. If I'm scaring you? I intend to. No judgements here--only truth.

[MizzNewLife 32]

Oh don’t worry I don’t drink every night! Maybe 2/3 times a week. Even then I feel it’s too much. Usually the weekend. Thank you for your concern!

[SisterWannaSleeve 61]

Can we talk about this again? I’m DAY 3 post op with unimaginable head hunger... I literally feel like I’m starving and it’s because I watched my parents take down a large McDonald’s French fry. Please reassure me that it all in my head.

[audjoc 33]

I definitely believe in head hunger though I refer to it as "mouth hungry". It is definitely an issue with me because I had surgery on 01/24/19 and can't eat more than an ounce or two but I still want to eat-just for the taste. I have had NO feelings of hunger-NONE. I only know that I am full because I get a small jab in my chest, then I stop eating-but I love the taste of food and want to keep eating. I follow my doctor's orders but think about food a lot more than I thought I would-not because I am hungry. I have lost weight and don't overeat (afraid of dumping) but boy do I wish I could eat! I am trying to find some other ways to occupy my time and thoughts.