CUPCAKE Head Hunger ... took me by surprise!

Hi guys... I guess that this post isn't really a question, nor does it require a response...but I just wanted to talk about an experience I had last night and you're the only ones on earth who will get what I'm saying! Please feel free to skip this post...there may be some rambling involved. I'm 6 days post op. I was sailing along doing quite well, comparing notes with my recent post-op buddy Belle, meeting my protein and fluid goals for the first time, walking, thinking that things were generally going along smoothly. Naturally, this is when the CUPCAKE HEAD HUNGER began! The whole thing just started with a trip to a furniture store with Paul. We're looking for new living room furniture. We have always had a rough time making choices on things like that, so the head started realing with thoughts about furniture, the house, things that have to be done, etc. Naturally this led to a few other ridiculously anxious thoughts about getting home in time to see Bush's address, forgetting the dog's medicine today, whether my favorite television stars of the 70's have adequate retirement income....you get the idea. Then, as in the past, my thoughts IMMEDIATELY turned to BAKING and stayed there for a good 15 minutes non-stop. I had a giant image of a frosted cupcake in my head for NO LESS than 15 minutes. I'm not kidding you. It dominated every thought. I had no idea that it could be so overwhelming because in the past it was just normal and I gave into it when it came. I knew that I was addicted to sugar/eating, but I hadn't any idea how much I had used this particular binge in the past to soothe/suppress!! It has always been such a habit for me to bake after having any kind of anxious thought process. I would bake up a storm, eat a lot of it (let's be honest...some of my cookie doughs NEVER saw the inside of the the oven, okay?). I'd take to work the next day what I didn't devour. My co-workers loved when I was stressed because I kept them in a steady supply of SUGARY GOODIES. Let's face it. I was a good baker...and I did almost everything from scratch! So...of course I didn't bake anything last night. I took a long time thinking about the feelings I was having and really trying to let them in, not supressing them or calming them down. I just sat in the car on the drive home and FELT them, let them run the course, so to speak. Then we went to the grocery so I could get a few items I'll need to eat soon. It felt great to read the labels, actually. It felt like I had some control, some say in the situation. I bought some reduced fat saltines because lately the soft food has really been boring the hell out of me. (RD approved for me after tomorrow). I did eat a fourth meal last night, the first time since surgery. Well....I guess civilians would call it a snack. It worries me a little because in the end, I DID give in to a desire to eat. I had 4 reduced fat saltines with salsa on them. I did not have 19 chocolate chip cookies and a half gallon of milk. Dodged that bullet. So...that one is over, I'm sure there will be more to come. I just wanted to get that one out of me and on to the screen to people who are most likely to get what I'm talking about. Thanks for listening! Ken

Hey Ken Been there felt that!! LOL I so understand what you are saying. I can spend tons of time thinking about food, and how much I want it. When I was newly postop the worst thing for me was the TV commercials. They made me so hungry and mad, I would cry. I don't have time to watch TV anymore because I have too much energy and spend too much time on the treadmill!! It will get better for you too; it just takes a little time! You are doing great remember to say that to yourself!!!! If you like to read I have some good titles for you to check out. They are all about overeating and such stuff. Blessings, Carmen Did you try the SF popsicles? They get me around some tuff sweet tooth times!!!

Thanks Carmen...Have you ever read anything by Jeaneen Roth. I tried so many times to use her approach before WLS....I'm thinking it may be helpful now that I've had it. I'm going to have to check my bookshelves. Any other authors you've found helpful?

Yes I have a few from Roth, but found them to really frustrate me!!! I have a few that I like right now, Bing No More by Joyce Nash- Overcoming Overeating, Jane Hirschmann- When Women stop Hating Their Bodies by Jane Hirschmann- and Overcoming Binge Eating by Christopher Fairburn... just to name the few that are right on my mind this month.... I know the one about women may not sound like it applies, but I bet it will after you have lost 150 lbs... It talks a lot about body image issues and how to change them; I think it would also apply to men with similar issues. Read on, Carmen

Ken, I understand completely. When I was about two weeks out (and doing great) I found myself enjoying my dish of cottage cheese at Steak n Shake when the waitress passed my husband's bacon cheeseburger across in front of me. I almost leaned forward and took a bite. The sight of that bacon hanging seductively from underneath the bun was almost more than I could take. I fantasized about that bacon for days! Annette

mmm cupcakes and cookies. now IM hungry! hehehe. That head hunger is the worst! My husband ate a big ol sub sandwich in front of me two days after i got home from surgery. i thought i was going to die.

I have a feeling that he paid for that one somehow! Ken

Okay Annette, now I'm thinking about bacon! lol just kidding! Ken

Ken You are not alone in this issue of head hunger. I do not think it ever goes away. I am 15 months out from surgery and down about 200 lbs and still get the head hungers. I do my best to subsitute it with something that I can handle. The thing that keeps me away from sweets is the memory of dumping. You know as you proceed thru this journey their are many sugar free items that will take care of the head hungers. You just have to be carefull with the amount and that you slip up and get back to real sugar items and that is not a pretty site. You will overcome this...... Dan

I'm really afraid to dump...so that's a big help to me at this time as well, Dan. Thanks for the support!