Denise, This is what we are here for is to give each other a swift kick back into reality. This article helped me put things back into perspective, we all are dealing with various demons....head hunger is something I believe we all face whether we admit to it or not. & Mary

Spend time listening to the talk among weight loss surgery patients and you're bound to hear the expression "head hunger." It's a popular term to describe a mental craving for food versus a physical hunger. Patients *****gain weight and are not compliant with the dietary rules established by their bariatric centers often claim the head hunger was too powerful and forced them to eat foods known to cause weight gain or known to slow weight loss. Foods such as pretzels, chips, sweets, pastas and baked goods are against the rules of weight loss surgery, yet these are the foods patients eat when suffering from head hunger. The nature of the gastric bypass or lap-band weight loss surgery reduces physical appetite during the initial months following weight loss surgery. Most patients report a complete loss of physical appetite which of course is one of the components that makes weight loss surgery successful. So why are so many patients regaining weight or stalling before reaching their weight loss goal? Head hunger. It seems to be the loophole that enables a patient to break the rules and not take responsibility for non-compliance. While I understand there is an emotional attachment to food I also say using the head hunger loophole is self-defeating and unnecessary. Successful patients do not use the term nor do they indulge "head hunger." Prior to WLS patients had another kind of "Head Hunger"- head hunger to lose weight, to be healthier, to be more attractive. That head hunger was so extreme nights were spent lying awake plotting the next argument to the insurance company, defending their personal obesity crisis and fighting for this miracle of modern medicine. Head hunger? THAT was head hunger. It seems counterintuitive that patients who fought so hard for to have WLS now want to say "Oh, I'm so hungry for chocolate cake or Alfredo sauce or XYZ, just this once it's ok - I deserve one little treat!" This thinking is exactly what got us to morbid obesity in the first place! I say, forget about food head hunger - do not indulge it for one minute. Instead focus head hunger on the lighter, more attractive more confident person you fought to become. The chocolate cake is nothing, it has no power. Forget about it, it just doesn't matter anymore. Kaye Bailey © 2005 - All Rights Reserved

Hi, Mary: I weigh daily, too. In my experience, though, those who are still in the losing process may become frustrated by what the scales read; they, perhaps, should weigh only weekly or monthly. If they follow a plan, they're almost assured a weight loss, assuming, of course, they stick to the plan. The scales, in other words, don't dictate the success of the plan. I, however, am trying to maintain a weight, not measure my success in following a "plan." I have a set weight--190 lbs.--and when I hit it, I make necessary adjustments to my diet. It's always easier to take of the recent pounds than those that have been with you for awhile. Good luck! John

It's 8:00 pm in St. Louis and I'm still on track!!! Could this be a good day!!! I'll let you know in the morning.... We had a fairwell party at work for a colleague. I passed up cake. Actually, it wasn't too hard, it had strawberries in the center... I don't like strawberries!!! Have a great night... Denise

Hi everyone! I am usually not a responder but a lurker. I read this board and all posts almost everyday. It has been a great inspiration to me from the beginning. Today's weight 135 Starting weight 363 Goal - 2 more lbs( I had plastics 1 month ago tomm. My pre PS wt was 133-134 and as low as 132. I gained 12 lbs of fluid/swelling wt after PS of arms, tummy and thighs on May 24th. Dr said even though he took offf lots of skin not to expect much if any wt loss with surgery maybe 5 lbs. My goal is 132-134. And yes i have done well and lost all my wt, much more than I ever ever anticipated but every day ot continues to be a struggle and reading everyones posts and the ways they stay on or go back on track really helps me when I start to slip. Again Thanks to everyone and continued success in battling the disease we ALL share OBESITY!!!!!!!!! Janette RNY 7-13-04 Brachioplasty, abdominoplasty and thigh lift 5-24-06