How do you deal with "Head Hunger"? Rhetorical

I've reached my one month mark and could not ask for a better experience. Very little surgical pain, no post surgical complications, (knock wood), no nausea or regularity issues. Everything I've eaten has worked well. The only down side thus far is protein. I can't do the powder. The major issue I'm having is head hunger. I love food. Always have and I miss sitting down to a well prepared meal and enjoying the process of eating a large, satisfying meal. I miss the feeling of being really full. I get full now but it's not the same. I miss getting hungry and responding to that in a big way. I am rarely hungry now. Since the surgery is pretty much irreversible, I know that I'll never have that same experience and we always seem to crave what we can't have. Does it get better or do you just learn to go with it?
Jim

First off, LOL your avatar is scarying me..HA!

I try to keep things on hand to keep my hands busy.. crafts..etc... My main time is at night while I'm watching tv.. so I bring something upstairs to do while I watch it. IT's hard and I know what you mean... You've just got to keep it in your head everything you've done with the sugery .

For you I hope it gets better... Stay busy  I'm a new band patient and There has been good days and bad days... I just take each one in stride

Good Luck and I'm glad that you've had such a great experience with your surgery and your feeling so good!

Retraining my brain to accept feeling SATISFIED and not STUFFED as my new feeling of FULL has been a challenge to say the least!  I think I'm getting there after a year though!

Maybe we all need to take a clue from those "foodies" we see on the Food Channel.  They sample wonderful looking things but the servings are so tiny!!  We need to make the best of what we can have and make it WONDERFUL so we are satisifed on smaller amounts.  Too bad i'm more of a chili and casserole girl though!! 

I'm not big on the protein powders either and have found some regular foods that are higher in count that I gravetate towards.  Being that you are RNY is your goal also 70 grams per day or more?  My sister who is RNY really likes the SouthBeach Living cereal bars that have 10 gr protein, about 5 gr sugars and 140 calories (these are the smaller sized ones in the cereal aisle not the ones that are with the other protein bars).  I also really like the no sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast (CIB) which is also in the cereal aisle.  It has 5 gr protein and when added with milk you bump it up to 13 gr protein.  Not sure about how well it is for RNYer's though so can't offer much mor than the name of it and that  it DOESN"T taste like a protein drink, in fact it's pretty darn yummy when warmed up like cocoa.

You'll do fine though and settle into a routine that works for you soon enough.  The mourning food thing doesn't really last all that long.

Good luck and nice to see a new face on the KY board.

P.S.  LOVE the avatar!!

I do not deal with this issue of HEAD hunger so I cannot say I relate to that but I do, for real suffer from some serious issue of tummy hunger and the inability to feel full sometimes.  What works for me is upping my protein.  I use the Champion Pro Whey Banana Scream and Chocolate.  One scoop with 1/2 cup water or milk is 23 grams of protein and 2 of those a day really helps me to feel more satisfied.  It works.  I hope you find something that works too.

I deal with head hunger a lot.  That wanting to eat when you aren't physically hungry.  Trust me, I know.  You have to learn to deal with it and find other things to do besides eat.  Eating is no longer going to be your comfort and support.  You are now divorced from food - at least your body is - and now you have to train you mind to live without it (excess food).

Here is a list I made for myself to refer to when I am wanting to eat:

Take a long hot shower
Give myself a mini facial or pedicure
Go for a walk at the park
Spend time playing with my cat  
Read a magazine
Clean out a closet or a drawer
Clean out the refridgerator.....careful with that one! Esp. if wanting to eat
Call or email a friend
Plan a vacation to anywhere
Write a note to family or friend who lives in another state
Start making a Christmas list
Experiment with a new hair color or style
Sketch out a house plan / garden plan

I have since started setting a timer for 15 min. when I want to eat but shouldn't be eating.  It is teaching me to wait it out to see if I am really physically hungry.  9 times out of 10  I'm not.

Just stick to the basics of your diet and take one day at a time.  Remind yourself that food will be there later.  Find a hobbie that you love.  For me , my nature walks have become my primary coping skill for when I am stressed - ice cream and chips used to be!

Best of Luck to you!
Leslie

P. S.    As far as the protein powders go - I haven't drank one shake since being 3 weeks out!  I hated them with a passion!!!!!   I use protein bars instead of shakes and eat tons of tuna, shrimp, soy, cheese, beans, and other fish!!!!