Hi new to the boards and to this site.

My name is Julie my Bmi is 56 my start weight is 332. now on pre-op diet for realize band. How do you cope with pre-op hunger? how do u tell head hunger from body hunger. i equate head hunger with cravings, but dont really know.
Julie

 I am also new to this! This is my second post. I am about the same place as you are as far as early pre-op. I went to an informational meeting and had one appointment with the surgeon, and was then put on a pre op diet. I am not doing well about staying on it. I get very hungry, to the point where my stomach hurts. 

My initial bloodwork showed I am very vitamin deficient and anemic though and I think once my body has what it needs it will stop screaming at me to eat. Tomorrow I see a nutritionist for the first time. I will ask her what I can do when hunger is gnawing at me. Perhaps she will allow some veggies or something I don't know. If she gives me any useful tips I will let you know.  My surgeon has a class or group meeting we can go to. I will ask advice there too. 

I am going to counseling to help with the "head cravings". In counseling I am learning ways to feed my emotional needs in different ways.  Nice to meet you!  I don't have many friends yet and it would be nice to have  someone to talk to. I will send an add request.

I think for me it is more Head whines, whining for my old ways, crying for food I can no longer eat, like a little child's temper tantrum (pouts) But The adult in me is excited and hears Rocky's theme song in the back ground when I excercise. I choose Life! Thanks for the friend add.

Julie

Julie,
As a fellow pre-op (Nov 2nd - RNY), and a fellow 50+ BMI, I can tell you my "rule of thumb"...  I eat exactly according to the prescribed pre-op diet from my surgeon (seconded by my nutritionist), and just "assume" that any and all hunger "pain" is my "old self" trying to get through.  I try to make sure I'm getting all the nutritional supplements (multi-vitamin, calcium, magnesium, B12, etc.) recommended by Dr & NUT, and chalk everything else up to "head hunger". 
Jim

Thanks for your reply, I am still not sure what "head hunger"is, is it more than cravings?

It's amazing you can be so strict with yourself.\

Julie

Basically it is a craving thing, if my body's hungry then I will eat anything!

For example, I have a protein bar that I don't like. If I'm only head hungry I won't eat it, but if my body needs sustenance...then I will eat it.

However, if I'm craving something- then yes it's just head hunger because if you're really hungry than you'll eat whatever you've got...not just what you want.

Does that make sense?

great example, thank you.

Wow, that's the best explanation I've heard.  Thanks!

 I just got back from my first meeting with a nutritionist. 

I feel so much better now! She helped me a whole lot. Things will get clearer once you talk to a nutritionist.

She gave me a list of vegetables I can munch on if I get super hungry between shakes. Celery for example I can have. Potato I can't.  I can have lettuce but cannot dump salad dressing on it. However she said I could use vinegar and mrs. dash etc to flavor things.

She gave me some good ideas to add spice to the shakes to change things up a bit. For example I can add nutmeg and artificial rum extract or vanilla extract and splenda. Or I can add other artificial flavor extracts and get creative. I have a list of shake recipes I can try now. I can share them if you want. It is just simple things like adding apple pie spice or all spice or banana flavor extract. The list of ideas to give the shakes different flavors was really super .
 
Even better she gave me some ideas of no calorie tricks to help me when I have a sweet tooth craving or feel starving. Sugar free jello, sugar free popsicles, etc.

I am sure different nutritionists and surgeons have different rules so you should check with yours. I was so happy to get things clarified. It turns out that I was not eating enough protein for my one non liquid meal, and I am allowed a larger piece of meat than I thought. It is helpful to know if I am just starving to death I can eat a celery or a sugar free jello and be ok. I feel empowered.  I have been failing at this for two weeks now. I wish I had seen the nutritionist sooner!

Information is key. I am so happy that you feel empowered. My dr. didnt put me on protein shakes, i am on a 70-120 grams of protein 30 grams of carbs. I am to do the SF popsicles and jello the day before surgery, absolutely no real food that day. That will make what i'm eating now seem like a 7 course meal. Good job on getting the info you need to suceed