Head Hunger Question

Hi Everyone I'm so happy to be able to read everyone's posts and know that I'm not "alone" with what I'm going through! I wanted to ask you all if you know what head hunger is? I mean, I know what it is in "theory"...but what does it feel like to actually experience it. I am, what I feel, is hungry most of the time. Am I suppose to feel this sensation at this early out? Also, I feel like I can eat more than what I'm suppose to. Last night I ate 1/2 of a 12 oz. frozen dinner (that's 6 ounces!! ) I got full on it...mushy turkey breast and green beans/carrots (chewed to an applesauce consistency). Is this bad??? I eat 3 meals a day, worry about getting in my protein, and I still get this hunger feeling. I keep a daily journal of what I'm eating so I know how many fats, calories, carbs, and protein grams I'm getting. What is everyone else's thoughts!?!? Thank you for any and all comments!!! --Lori

Lori OMG! I thought I was the only one who always feels hunger; like I can't wait until my next meal. And I hate it that I can only have 2 oz per meal. I want to keep eating until I feel that full sensation, but I never get it. It is depressing me a little. I called a friend who had teh surgery a year ago and told her, she says, "You feel hungry?" Then told me she NEVER felt hungry. And I read posts of people not being able to get in their full meals and I chuckle! I am totally not that way. I try and only eat when I get that feeling of low blood sugar, but no more than a 8 hr span. I have tried a couple things not on my list, like real broccoli cheese soup I pureed and was supposed to strain it, but I didn't. I chewed the flourettes up real good and had them anyway. I also stopped pureeing my salsa I put in my scrambled eggs. I chew real good, and if I don't I can tell because I get a little tummy ache right after that bite. Right now I am craving meat real bad (not allowed to have it until my 1 month anniversary Dec 22), and chocolate. I almost went to the grocery to get some sf chocolate and see if that would satisfy the craving. It would only take a piece and they sell it in teh bulk section. So it's not like a whole pkg would sit around until I ate it. Hubby was upset to hear that when I told him. Right now I am going through a big ordeal; my company is selling to another, and had to reapply from my job; should HOPEFULLY have a job offer by Dec 20. Life is so stressful right now. Glad you postd this; I needed to talk about that! Lori

(((HUGS)))) LOL!! I know EXACTLY what you mean. And, yes...I just try to eat when I get that "weak" feeling too. What made me ask these questions is because I see so many posts where people just don't get hungry. I'm like ..."WHAT!?!?!" I get a little down sometimes because (hindsight) I think I must have been a "binge" eater . I would totally overeat until I got full. It was so satisfying to me. Well, now, obviously, I can't do that...and I just want to eat something fattening and eat it till I get full. Does that make sense?? THEN, when I think about it...what I'm wanting to eat doesn't even sound that good. Just extremely weird!!! I try to tell my husband, but I don't think he gets it at all! Well, Thanks again for your post!! E-mail me ANYTIME if ya ever wanna chat!!!! I would love to hear from you again! ~Lori

by the way, GREAT LUCK on the "re-apply" YOU WILL DO AWESOME!! ~Lori

Lori and Lori- OMG you are not alone!!! I do get hungry too. While sometimes it is real hunger like now (almost dinner time) other times it is head hunger in that it's habit for me to eat at a particular time. I dont think 6 ounces is too bad, it's less than a cup. Plus we are still eating pureed foods so it goes in easier. I had last night 2 ounces of chicken and 4 ounces of egg beaters with salsa and low fat cheese pureed. When I cooked it I thought wow that looks like alot but after pureeing it, it was less than a cup. Plus if you eat slowly it gives your stomach time to get empty out too. My doc has said we need to eat for at least 30 minutes but less than 60 minutes. It is hard sometimes to distinguish between head hunger and the real hunger. Let me know if you come up with any good ideas!!! Janet

((((JANET!!!)))) My goodness, I am so so so glad I'm not alone on this! It's really harder than what I thought it was going to be. I guess what they say "they did surgery on your stomach, not your brain" is true!! I'm like you though, it did take me about 45 minutes to eat those 6 ounces...pre-surgery it probably would have taken me 45 seconds! LOL I've got an appointment with my surgeon and nutritionist next Monday. I'm going to discuss all of this with them and see what they have to say!! I will let you know what they said!! E-mail me ANYTIME!!! I'm always "around" the computer somewhere! ~Lori

I have the same problem. My head says oh wouldn't this be good to eat or you are hungry go eat. My stomach on the other hand says oh no your not if you put something in here right now I will pay you back, Good luck to you Ann

(((ANN))) YES! that is such a GREAT description and puts it ALL into perspective thank you sooooooooooo much ~Lori

I honestly think further post ops forget about that first week when you feel like you are STARVING to death on clear liquids!! LOL. I know I was ready to kill for real food! But, it passed. I do get hungry when I am ready to eat again. Like when I wake up, I cannot wait to start making breakfast. Forget reading the paper or watching the news. I want to eat! LOL. I am on 3 meals a day without snacks, so each meal is something I really look forward to. I do get that full feeling now, but I am grateful I also have a doctor who didn't put many limitations on me. Just don't eat over 6oz per meal and don't drink 15 min before or 1hr after a meal. I eat a lot faster than most post ops, I think. When on pureeds, good luck trying to make that last more than 10 minutes for 4 oz and now I eat about 4 oz for meals of soft foods and it only takes about 20 minutes, though sometimes up to 30 min. Anyway, just know this is normal. The head hunger is HORRIBLE!! I was so moody and unforgiving during that first week. And of course, every other ad on tv was for food or a restaurant!! You stop noticing this stuff as much after a couple weeks. You will be fine. If you are really thinking you might be hungry, try drinking 10oz of water or so and wait a few minutes. If you are still hungry, perhaps a glass of milk is a good option. Hope that helps some!! Erica

Great advice Erica!! I stick to the no drinking water 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after. I think if I eat a more "protein-condensed" (??) meal then I wait even longer to drink. I will try the water thing whenever I'm hungry (and it's not meal time) ...thank you so much!! Best wishes to you. ~Lori