Question:
How bad has your Phychological hunger been after surgery and how do you handle it? The physical sid

How bad has your Physiological hunger been after surgery and how do you handle it? The physical side of hunger is effectively taken care of by the surgery but as most of us know we relay on food for: comfort, a pick me up, a boredom pacifier, a stress reducer, and a bingeing attack buddy. Do you have any suggestion to break the behavior patterns build up around the intake of food in conjunction of the surgery?    — Christoff D. (posted on May 18, 1999)

May 18, 1999
Mine worst time is after dinner in the evenings, watching television or whatever. I want a snack. So I have a snack. Usually something like fat free pretzels, low fat popcorn, or a frozen juice bar. It doesn't hurt the weight loss and I feel like I am getting a treat. Food has taken a different place in my life these days. I don't find myself craving food like I used to. It just doesn't have the same appeal anymore.
   — dboat

May 18, 1999
At first you just aren't hungry so there isn't much of a battle at all. As time progresses, you will start to have some mind hunger. One big help is the negative reinforcement of the operation--you get a lump in your throat or you actually throw up or have dumping. At that point you can examine what you did wrong. It's a constant re-examination of how you function differently than the slim part of our population. For me, just learning to quit when there is still food on my plate has been a totally new phenomenom. I've also learned that there are days when I'm really not hungry at all and I eat a very minimum. Then on other days I allow myself to eat more if it's truly physical hunger. (More is NOTHING like what you ate preop.) It also helps to stay involved with support groups--both online and from your doctor. If you face a heavy battle with yourself then I would suggest a therapist trained in the field.
   — [Anonymous]

May 19, 1999
I'm almost 5 yrs post-op, still hodling steady under 120#. I do occasionally get the munchies. When I do, and start popping my head into cabinets & fridge, I mix up a glass of protein and carry it with me while I poke around. Usually after a minute or two (literally), I forget what I was doing and wander off. The protein nourishes, so stops the craving for anti-starvation; it helps stunt sugar cravings; fills up my pouch and tastes good. EVERY now and then, I miss a hot choc chip cookie straigiht out of the oven with an ice cold glass of milk. Until I feel a hip bone or notice that my legs are crossed AND wrapped together. The potential for momentary pleasure followed by guilt is FAR out done by the never-ending joy of NORMALCY.
   — vitalady

May 19, 1999
You are correct, the pysiological side of hunger is more than cured by the surgery. I was very frightened about the psychological aspect also. I am surprised to find that I am having no problems with this. I am having problems eating enough. I'm not hungry most of the time. Regards, Diane Lap RNY 4-9-99 Dr. Champion Atlanta 263 to 238
   — Diane N.

May 21, 1999
Most of the time, I don't even think about it (I was a binge eater, stress eater, etc). The week I finally felt stress, I wanted to binge, but couldn't. That was very frustrating. I'm slowly making myself exercise instead of eat when I get stressed, but it's not easy. Avoiding stress is the best thing for me now. Trying to break the old eating habits will be the hardest thing to do, and should be started as soon as possible. Good luck (I know I'll need it)!
   — Elizabeth W.