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Hacking hunger for your individual body is so hard. So many variables depending on the degree of broken-ness, mental/emotional health, medications, food preferences, and a lifetime of behavioral/social cues! And that's just to name a few!

You are doing what we all tell each other not to do post op. You are "chasing the full feeling" and quite frankly, that type of behavior is one of the things that could land you right back at the Obesity Ball down the road. The full feeling as many have said has changed for us forevs. And plus, right now, your nerves have been short circuited due to surgery and aren't accessing the brain anymore. In time, they do reconnect!

I'm reminded each time I see my doc and RD that I should ONLY be eating serving-size appropriate for my time frame. And there should ideally be "no moving on" from my 1cup total per meal whether I am 10months out or 10 years out. That will keep my new anatomy functioning the best. And it's up to us to figure out how to use our 1cup volume budget per meal! Some can get away with super dense, calorie laden, rich dishes and only eat a few bites. Others would eat that look around and would stab a bi*ch for more. *raises hand*. The best way for me is to use that 1cup real estate and fill it with 2-3oz of very dense/dry-ish Protein + 1-2oz of al dente veg. The end. End of meal. Others are different.

Head hunger is HUGE! At least for me. And sadly, I can eat the crap outta "bad" Fatty McFatterson comfort foods--just as if I had no surgery! I could eat a whole bag of Lay's, cheese Its, Chips/Salsa/Queso, a can of Pringles. I'd feel bad from the extra fat and have to sleep it off...but guess what? It goes DOWN without restriction. And no amount of surgery is gonna alter your head hunger, binging ways. That takes heavy lifting and full work on behaviors and getting to the root of the problem. (I'm still such a work in progress, as are we all!)

For the most part, in the early days (and even later), you eat to a schedule and you keep your set amount and you follow your rules and drink plenty of liquids/water, and it won't bother you that you are only "no longer hungry" rather than feeling full. Once you progress your plan, you will hopefully feel some sense of completion and satisfaction!

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Very good feedback from everyone so far. I appreciate and thank you!

For some cases, I'd like to clarify that I think there's a difference to feeling full or feeling satisfied. For me, feeling satisfied is "I don't really want more food". For example, I don't have a huge sweet tooth, so, before surgery, I could take one or two bites out of a brownie with fudge and nuts and be satisfied and leave most of it uneaten. I also loathe smoothies. So, I could make a smoothie (also before surgery), drink it, feel a full stomach and not be satisfied.

I do understand the challenge of the mental issues. I don't think I've ever not been aware that I'm a food addict. And food is my comforting mother. Yes, this brokenness needs to change to make this process successful and lasting.

Someone wondered about why would anyone say anything bad about head hunger. I'm only a few weeks post-op, not even eating soft foods yet, but I'll give it a shot to explain what that could be about: maybe the hunger --or the empty in the belly feeling-- comes from emotional issues, not actual biological hunger. But, the thing is, we don't EXPERIENCE it that way. It feels real, it feels like hunger. So we're still walking around feeling hungry. And that's the tough part. Many years ago I was chatting with a doctor (just an acquaintance) and he said something similar about hypochondriacs. They get dismissed and like their ailments aren't real. But the problem is that they FEEL real to them. To them.. their head DOES hurt, or whatever. Just saying this for some of us to gain empathy. This journey is brutal. At least for me. And I've barely begun. But I am thrilled for those who have been able to successfully get on the track and choo-choo all the way to their goals. Yay!!!

My shitty insurance didn't cover my surgery (ouch!) so I had to self-pay. And I've been through enough that I feel I have no way forward but through this. That doesn't mean I'm not gonna whine about it. ;)

Thanks guys! I'm sure I'll have another question or complaint in a day. :D

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I am nearly 3 weeks out and still drinking plenty of Protein Shakes 2-2.5 a day to make sure I get in 70g of Protein in. They give me half my liquid and I use Powerade zero and other drinks to get in another 30+oz.. protein from food is tougher to get in ..

no real hunger and it’s wonderful to not have to focus on feeding time ..

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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