need advice and help

I am having a hard time fighting head hunger. I have been dealing with it for a couple of days, but today is the worst. I just want to snack and snack some more. I know if I start that up I will just gain back the weight I have lost so far. I don't know what to do to combat this. I want to get to my goal weight, but today I feel defeated. EMily

It is too bad they didn't operate on our brains too, isn't it?  When you want to snack- drink and keep drinking!  Leave no room for food.  And, make sure you aren't letting any sneaky carbs into your diet.  They trigger all sorts of bad eating choices.  Stay high protein and eat as dense a protein as you are allowed by your doc at this point in your revovery.  Hang in there!  Hold tough! The end result is so worth it!

By the way Denise....You are so close!! I am so excited for you!!! You have done amazing with your tummy and it keeps me encouraged. Way to go!

Sherry

This is going to sound so awful right now but when I have these days, I get out the old bouillon and make a cup and sip on it or even hot tea. For some reason that seems to calm my stomach down. It curbs the hunger. I know it is hard to ever think of liquids again, but for me it does work. I find the head games are the worst. I fill a plate of food like I am actually going to eat it and then have to throw it away or freeze or bag it.....I actually mourn foods that were so much a part of my life....but then those are the foods that put me where I am today.  I'm so sorry Emily. I fully understand as I just finished off my 2nd popcicle in a row because I am having the same issues. I am also craving peanut butter and I hate peanut putter except for cookies!!  Hang in there girl. I do think Denise is right....The more dense foods help the physical hunger but ohhhhh the brain is another story!

Sherry

Hi, Emily.
I'm sorry you feel head hunger right now. It won't last forever, if that helps. I'm thinking that the last part of your final sentence is key for you. Consider journaling with the topic being "I feel defeated because..." Write until you feel a sense of release.
One thing I'm coming to realize is that we must learn to honor our emotions by allowing them to come up and out. Feel them and then release them. For too long, we've stuffed down our emotions with food. It did not serve us well, and if we do not learn new coping mechanisms, we will regain the weight.
I'm praying for you, Emily.
Blessings,
Mary

I deliberately chose and taught myself that hot tea was a comfort food.  It was the most food like thing I could think of.  I'm not saying use tea instead of getting to the root of things, but use tea as a tool to get you through.  I'm having a cuppa right now.

I never chastise myself for needing or wanting my "crutch"-and I can have as much as I want, no guilt.  It may be the perfect tool. 

Hi Emily.  I really can't add much to what these other ladies have said but...you are not alone!!!  Head hunger is real and just remember....it is HEAD hunger...  Just try to stay busy, drink, drink, drink.  I tend to turn to flavored water or coffee.  When I'm at work I chew a lot of gum.  If you are at home this week is suppose to be really nice outside and you might just go outside and walk and enjoy the weather or work in your yard....It will get better but I still deal with it almost daily.  It's simply old habits that will be with us forever unfortunately so we have to learn coping methods!!  (((HUGS)))) (maybe they should have operated on our brains too!!!)

Don't feel defeated - this is all a part of the process.  Much as it sucks, I still deal with head hunger every day.  Some days are better than others.   The way I see it, I would still have had this head hunger without surgery except that I would've fed it every day, multiple times a day.  Now if I fee the head hunger, I try to make it a protein snack like jerky or lf cheese.

Try to drown the head hunger in water and hang on!  You can beat it!

Hugs to you! 

Kim

Emily
All I can say is that I'm right there with ya!  I know I'm not hungry but I love a sweet treat every now and then.  I was hoping to use the "honeymoon" phase time to change my way of thinking about food.  And to some degree I have.  I don't eat like I used to at all but I still like to eat.  Its something that will have to be delt with for as long as I live!  I try to stay busy.  And with 5 and 6 little one's all day staying busy isn't too hard.
I wish you all the best!
Hugs
Kim J.!

WATER WATER WATER !!!  I know, I know, sometimes I want to scream if I drink one more sip, but at least I'm not eating that way.  The other thing I do is CHEW GUM !!!  Get it?  CHEW !!!  On top of giving me a little sweet flavor, it's nice and minty and maybe I won't want to get bad breath by eating again -- okay, I said maybe.  Some days it's a breeze, some days it is a major challenge.  Just look at what you have accomplished and ask yourself if that one bite of >>>>>> is worth all you've been through and all you have achieved.  Most usually, and I did say most, it's  not worth it !!  Good luck to you ! Lynette