Hey everyone. I have a question about hunger. Some days I eat once and feel fine the rest of the day. Some days I eat 3 small meals and still feel hungry. I usually drink a bunch of water everyday but is this normal? Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi Ken, I am 8 days post op and I have experienced that.  My H20 intake is good, I drink the shakes, and take my vitamins.  Last night I felt hungry around 7 pm.  I had some cream of potato soup that I made.  I think as our body heals, this will be normal. All the best to you! Carol 

Yes, I do and a lot of the time.  I know much of it is "Head Hunger." If you really listen to your tummy you'll find that it's not the problem at all. I seem to revert back to my old days where I would eat anything, anytime to fill a void. It's old habits cropping up.  Just keep drinking your water and start a new healthier habit. I always, always have a water by my side and curse those dancing images of junk food in my mind. I'm not saying it's easy but creating a new healthier habit in the face of it helps. Unfortunately the pleasure part of our brain never forgets what it is like to enjoy these addictions. This goes for food, drugs, cigarettes, sex etc. You seem to be doing great. Congrats! Take Care~~ Diane

Yes I can eat like crazy some days and not others, I am 2 years post op already. I know eating more smaller meals are better for my body and seems to help me stay on track but some days it is a BIG fight! I wish you all the best hun!

I''m 10 days post op and I have to remind myself to eat. Today I went to the salon for a mani, pedi, eyebrows, etc... and I hadn't eaten I had to stop and find something because I was feeling so weak. I'm constantly with a water bottle in my hand I call it my new appendage. After the salon I met a friend for dinner and had a very healthy meal of spinach and salmon. When I got home I still felt hungry but I knew it was head hungry not tummy. I know it's a step by step thing so just remember day by day. All The Best

I am only 11 days post op, and occassionally (like once every 2-3 days) I feel genuine hunger. My stomach feels empty but i don't pay it much mind. The feeling is less noticable than when I sip ice cold water (which makes me feel a little sore). Mind hunger, or "head hunger" as you've all put it, I feel whenever I smell food or see it. I could kill the people who make Burger Kings, KFC and pizza commercials >_< I'm still on my stage 1 diet so I worry that the hunger I usually felt before surgery will return.

KEN I didn't hve physicl hunger for 7 months, now i do ad th emotional hunger a well. eatign1 day isnt probably best choice water is imperative so keep fluids going. Sometims we have to eat for health whether we are phyically hungry or not .....

Head Hunger: Is it for real?

by Kaye Bailey

 

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.

 

Think you have head hunger? Fill out the LivingAfterWLS Self-Assessment worksheet to remind yourself what you are hungry for!

 

Download the LivingAfterWLS Self-Assessment Worksheet

 

 

 

http://www.livingafterwls.com/PDF%20Files/2006%20Self%20Assessment.pdf

 

http://www.livingafterwls.com/Library/Head%20Hunger.html

According to my nutritionist we should be eating every 3-4 hours, something small but it keeps the metabolism functioning properly. One meal a day is not fine so don't try that. Wait until you are like 7-9 months out and the real hunger hits...it's downright freaky! aNDI