1 week post op and I think I'm hungry
Well today is my one week surgiversary date. Things are progressing slowly. I struggle to get in the 64 ounces a day but I make small improvements each day. Everyone keeps saying that everything will get easier day by day. I don't know if I'm hungry, want to chew, am bored and was definitely addicted to food and still am. I'm just so confused. Any body have any words of wisdom or advise?
Secondly, I had the Gastric By-Pass laproscopically, how long does everyone usually stay out of work?
Thanks, I'll welcome any comments.
Secondly, I had the Gastric By-Pass laproscopically, how long does everyone usually stay out of work?
Thanks, I'll welcome any comments.
I am so glad you're home & doing well!! Keep up the great work!! You'll get the hang of it soon, honest!!
Head hunger is a horrible thing. AT that stage I didn't even want food. I would have to make myself eat however now is a different story! I think it's going to be something I struggle with forever!!! Find something to do to keep your mind off of your boredom... it helps!
I was out of work 2 weeks!! I was tired the first few days back but other than that I was good to go!!! I have a simple desk job & a boss who was really cool about letting me go home if I needed it but I never did!!
Hang in there - you're doing awesome!!
Cece
Head hunger is a horrible thing. AT that stage I didn't even want food. I would have to make myself eat however now is a different story! I think it's going to be something I struggle with forever!!! Find something to do to keep your mind off of your boredom... it helps!
I was out of work 2 weeks!! I was tired the first few days back but other than that I was good to go!!! I have a simple desk job & a boss who was really cool about letting me go home if I needed it but I never did!!
Hang in there - you're doing awesome!!
Cece
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... it is about learning how to dance in the rain!"
I am glad you are doing well.
Some of the way I deal with head hunger.
1. Have something to drink and see if it goes away.
2. Get up and do something, take a walk, do the wash, help kids with homework. If you aren't hungry 15 minutes later it was just head hunger.
3. At the times you like to snack, such as when watching TV at night, have a drink or do something to keep your hands / mind busy.
Good luck!
As far as being out of work. I would say that it depends on what type of work you do. I took five weeks off, partly due to my wife having her RNY three weeks after I did. Evelyn did not clear me to lift over 20 pounds until this point also and work required this. My wife went back to work after 4 weeks. I would say that it partly depends how well you get paid for the time out. I had the sick time for about 7 weeks so I took the five, I felt good enough to return to work after 2 to 3 weeks if I did not have to lift. With a desk job you would be able to return to work much sooner.
Jim
Some of the way I deal with head hunger.
1. Have something to drink and see if it goes away.
2. Get up and do something, take a walk, do the wash, help kids with homework. If you aren't hungry 15 minutes later it was just head hunger.
3. At the times you like to snack, such as when watching TV at night, have a drink or do something to keep your hands / mind busy.
Good luck!
As far as being out of work. I would say that it depends on what type of work you do. I took five weeks off, partly due to my wife having her RNY three weeks after I did. Evelyn did not clear me to lift over 20 pounds until this point also and work required this. My wife went back to work after 4 weeks. I would say that it partly depends how well you get paid for the time out. I had the sick time for about 7 weeks so I took the five, I felt good enough to return to work after 2 to 3 weeks if I did not have to lift. With a desk job you would be able to return to work much sooner.
Jim
#1) You are correct WLS will NOT cure a food addiction, it may subdue it for a while...but ultimately the proper use of psychology and developing other ways to cope and manage and feel our emotions is necessary for longterm success beyond the honeymoon. Sadly WLS is a failed diet attempt for many after a yr or so.... I found it incredibly challenging to not chew for 2 weeks! I was on liquids for 15 days..I managed it but my recommendation to anyone is to work during this time and next yr on yourself, personal growth that the tool won't do for you (the head work!)..here is an article on head hunger.......
Satisfying Mind Hunger
How to stop when you've had enough
By Geneen Roth , Geneen Roth is the author of six books about emotional eating, including When Food Is Love.
(*I recommend any/all of them!)
http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/satisfying-mind-hunger/82559c777f803110VgnVCM20000012281eac____/weight.loss/strategies.for.success/emotional.eating?print=true&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prevention.com%2Fcda%2Farticle%2Fsatisfying-mind-hunger%2F82559c777f803110VgnVCM20000012281eac____%2Fweight.loss%2Fstrategies.for.success%2Femotional.eating
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
Eight Traits of Emotional Hunger
http://www.outofthefridge.com/pdfs/The%20Eight%20Traits%20of%20Emotional%20Hunger.pdf
Learn why you eat when you may not be hungry, with Dr. Roger Gould, author of Shrink Yourself
http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/the-basics-of-emotional-eating/4158817c758b4110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/weight.loss/strategies.for.success/emotional.eating?print=true&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prevention.com%2Fcda%2Farticle%2Fthe-basics-of-emotional-eating%2F4158817c758b4110VgnVCM10000013281eac____%2Fweight.loss%2Fstrategies.for.success%2Femotional.eating
#2)Consider asking what is typical for your surgeon for your surgery/age/profession what does he recommend?
Consider asking what he allows for people some will not release people for safety reasons before a certain time period. For example as a psych RN working in a hospital I needed 4 wk minimum to meet my job demands safely to avoid hernia to self.
Consider that you will most likely not be eating at 1 ½ wks as most programs do liquids 14 days. How will you be able to manage near constant sipping at your job (can you do this now) to avoid dehydration?
Consider at 1 ½ weeks not even eating and learning on the job with all those pressures how to eat slow, chew well and what will be safe foods that do not make you nauseated/vomit or dump....
Consider perhaps taking more time than anticipated as going back early is not as challenging as needing to take more time and cover that short notice wise.
Consider possible complications that could arise, I am not suggesting making a total what if list, just a contingency plan for what if you need more time for some reason beyond your control, prepare others too. For example I had a complication needed second surgery at 4wk out, I had developed adhesions that cut off my intestinal tract and making a obstruction/stricture at Y connection, this meant 4 more weeks of recovery so I was out 8 weeks. Sometimes things happen despite the fact we planned one way. Just being aware can help this.
Consider the time that is imperative to take care of your needs which are most important, relearning to eat, drink, take meds/vitamins, exercise and fit in the new lifestyle. Getting off in a rush may only delay or hamper you taking full advantage of the honeymoon/rebirth. So many of us focus on rushing back to life and forget to acknowledge this is about us and needing to focus on ourselves for success and happiness long-term. We get one honeymoon...I hope we use it to our full benefit.
Consider some go back in 1-2 wk without issues, consider I have seen people out months as the fatigue, nausea, etc really is too impairing. It is the extreme not norm but our bodies are undergoing a major stress/trauma. The world will go on, life, jobs etc without us they will find a way.
Consider that you probably are eligible for short-term disability, to augment your leave time.
Ultimately when you go back is influenced by many factors some you can influence and some you have no control over. Asking what is typical/expected can give you a good gauge and being open to needing more helps as well. I tell people the best time to have
Satisfying Mind Hunger
How to stop when you've had enough
By Geneen Roth , Geneen Roth is the author of six books about emotional eating, including When Food Is Love.
(*I recommend any/all of them!)
http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/satisfying-mind-hunger/82559c777f803110VgnVCM20000012281eac____/weight.loss/strategies.for.success/emotional.eating?print=true&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prevention.com%2Fcda%2Farticle%2Fsatisfying-mind-hunger%2F82559c777f803110VgnVCM20000012281eac____%2Fweight.loss%2Fstrategies.for.success%2Femotional.eating
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
Eight Traits of Emotional Hunger
http://www.outofthefridge.com/pdfs/The%20Eight%20Traits%20of%20Emotional%20Hunger.pdf
Learn why you eat when you may not be hungry, with Dr. Roger Gould, author of Shrink Yourself
http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/the-basics-of-emotional-eating/4158817c758b4110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/weight.loss/strategies.for.success/emotional.eating?print=true&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prevention.com%2Fcda%2Farticle%2Fthe-basics-of-emotional-eating%2F4158817c758b4110VgnVCM10000013281eac____%2Fweight.loss%2Fstrategies.for.success%2Femotional.eating
#2)Consider asking what is typical for your surgeon for your surgery/age/profession what does he recommend?
Consider asking what he allows for people some will not release people for safety reasons before a certain time period. For example as a psych RN working in a hospital I needed 4 wk minimum to meet my job demands safely to avoid hernia to self.
Consider that you will most likely not be eating at 1 ½ wks as most programs do liquids 14 days. How will you be able to manage near constant sipping at your job (can you do this now) to avoid dehydration?
Consider at 1 ½ weeks not even eating and learning on the job with all those pressures how to eat slow, chew well and what will be safe foods that do not make you nauseated/vomit or dump....
Consider perhaps taking more time than anticipated as going back early is not as challenging as needing to take more time and cover that short notice wise.
Consider possible complications that could arise, I am not suggesting making a total what if list, just a contingency plan for what if you need more time for some reason beyond your control, prepare others too. For example I had a complication needed second surgery at 4wk out, I had developed adhesions that cut off my intestinal tract and making a obstruction/stricture at Y connection, this meant 4 more weeks of recovery so I was out 8 weeks. Sometimes things happen despite the fact we planned one way. Just being aware can help this.
Consider the time that is imperative to take care of your needs which are most important, relearning to eat, drink, take meds/vitamins, exercise and fit in the new lifestyle. Getting off in a rush may only delay or hamper you taking full advantage of the honeymoon/rebirth. So many of us focus on rushing back to life and forget to acknowledge this is about us and needing to focus on ourselves for success and happiness long-term. We get one honeymoon...I hope we use it to our full benefit.
Consider some go back in 1-2 wk without issues, consider I have seen people out months as the fatigue, nausea, etc really is too impairing. It is the extreme not norm but our bodies are undergoing a major stress/trauma. The world will go on, life, jobs etc without us they will find a way.
Consider that you probably are eligible for short-term disability, to augment your leave time.
Ultimately when you go back is influenced by many factors some you can influence and some you have no control over. Asking what is typical/expected can give you a good gauge and being open to needing more helps as well. I tell people the best time to have
Take Care, 
Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP
100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY
320(preop)/163(lowest)/185(current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"
Jamie Ellis RN MS NPP
100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY
320(preop)/163(lowest)/185(current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com
http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"
Congrats on the surgiversary date! Getting the water in at first can be a challenge, but you will get the hang of it. Day by day it gets easier - really it does lol.
At this point you probably miss chewing - I know I did. I wasn't really hungry but missed the chewing and food, have a s/f popsicle that helped me alot! Or even hot decaf tea you will find what works for you.
As for work I was out 2 1/2 weeks, I have a desk job and could have been out another 2 weeks if I wanted but really felt good enough to go back, yes I was tired at the end of the day but that beat being home and being bored out of my mind! As you know everyone is different, take it day by day and don't ru****
Good luck and welcome to the loser bench 
Michelle...
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