First Bout with head Hunger

I am one who did not find the pre-op diet bad at all and I did not look for things I could not have, but tonight was torture! We celebrated my grandson's 2nd birthday today (his birthday is sunday but his dad was off today). There was cake and ice cream this afternoon at his other grandmother's house and I did okay with that. But tonight we went to Harry Bears for dinner and it was so hard! I was not hungry, but I wanted to eat so bad! For a few minutes I was even regretting surgery. Of course I am not now, but I guess I just was not expecting it to hit me so hard. I also had some dizziness this morning so drank one of the protein bullets I bought at Walmart. It was gross, but did the trick. Drinking has gotten easier though. And I did find the Herb Ox packets at Crest -- yum! My son suggested I take that next time instead of Crystal Light -- not a bad idea.

I'm sorry you had some a rough time today.  I have already been worrying about it this week as surgery gets closer.  I even wrote in my journal that I don't know how I will manage when my husband cooks dinner and I can't eat.  You are doing so wonderful and I know you will get through this.  I realy hope that I do as well as you have been doing. You are doing fantastic. Thinking about you. Kim 

Nancy I am right there with you girl.  My first week was hard with the head hunger.  Happycat and Glittergal both warned me but they also said the second week gets easier and they were right about that too.  Next time you will be around family for a meal heat up that chicken broth, put it in a nice bowl and "eat" with them.  If you are going out to eat put a SF jello cup in your purse and eat that while they eat.  Those suckers really do make you full in a few bites.  Being full helps fight the head hunger.  Hang in there sister.  We can do this.

I really struggled with head hunger during the liquid phase. I wouldn't even be hungry ... just wanted my old favorites. I cried more than once, so I completely understand. It's totally normal, I think.

Be encouraged though, once you get to regular food, for me it's been easier and easier and head hunger, or any hunger, has been less and less. As a matter of fact, I have to set a timer and make myself eat so that I get in my minimum calorie limit needed for the day. Hubby and I were discussing this very thing this evening...it's totally odd and foreign and quite freeing, too. It really does get much easier, it's just those first weeks that are really rough. I'm keeping all our new post ops in my prayers. ((((((Nancy))))))

Head hunger is the worst!  I am having a bout of it myself today also.  Too bad they couldn't fix our brains at the same time! Denise

Nancy I am right with you also.  There has not been a day since I got home from the hospital that have not cried.  I still say to myself why did I do this??  Everyone keeps saying it will get easier but sometimes I really question it.  If we did not have to be around food at all I think I could handle it but I have a husband and kids so that is not logical.  Everywhere you go there is food.  It just make me so mad sometimes.  Well I am sorry to vent on your post but I am having such a hard time.  Thanks for listening.

Nancy,  I totally feel your pain.  I have battled that ugly head hunger more than once.  It is awful!  Newly post op I cried a few times over not being able to have food when my family was pigging out on some of our favorite foods.  I think I still have a lot of work to do.  When I have a really stressful day (which is every Monday, Wednesday and Friday) I really want something crunchy and I really am battling the munchies as Kim calls it.  I am detrermined to overcome it. That is why I always say one day at a time.  I still battle the beast inside that wants to munch and crunch it's way through stress.  I need to figure out how to use Cowboy's emersion technique to overcome it...but how???  How do all of you deal with stress eating??? What did you replace it with?  What is left of my fingernails would like me to lay off also...so nail biting is not a good substitute!!  and it's a gross habit!!!  I don't think I helped you at all Nancy!  bummer                      I hope the others have great advice for the both of us!

The bottom line here is that we all deal with head hunger (well except Thomas- but he thinks turkey is SOFT food- sorry couldn't resist.)  We will get over the hungries at some point- I think. Denise

LORD I HOPE WE GET OVER THE HUNGRIES AT SOME POINT!!!!  PLEASE!!!!  LOL

This is the hardest part of the journey, I think.  I do struggle with head hunger.  It's usually in the afternoon at work.  I just want to reach over and grab some little snackie poo and mindlessly eat like an automated machine.  I'm not even hungry.  And can, in fact, be full.  That's when you know you're a sicko!  But at least I'm able to resist most of the time now.  Before surgery, I just started the munching and stuff would be flying everywhere!!  Ha!  LOL!