Question:
I will have my surgery in two weeks and want to learn more about what to expect emoti
I hear the term "head hunger" can you help me understand this and any information to help me prepare for how I will feel after surgery (emotionally not physically!!) — jomamma (posted on February 13, 2006)
February 13, 2006
Hi Joann - have you had any surgeries before going into WLS? The way I told
my patients, and how I personally learned about post op emotions pretty
much is the same. Your body is going through many changes. Sometimes, a
lot of times, post op patients experience sadness-due to the anesthesia
being in your system, to the pain meds you are given post op. In
particular is Lortab/Vicodin which often times causes you to cry for no
particular reason. This is medicine driven. However, lets talk about the
reason for WLS. You have been ( all of us have ) used to eating what we
want, how much we want, when we want. this no longer is possible. Many
post ops get emotional when wanting to eat, or drink or both when they are
severly limited on what they can have. If you go in with an open mind, and
the knowledge there will be many severe changes, that is half the battle.
Just remember why you had the surgery, and picture the end of the rainbow,
and soon, everything will be on an even keel again. It is very doable.
Don't forget, that tears also help heal, and they are a good thing. Don't
let anyone make you feel badly because you cannot eat what the family eats,
just go about what your food protocol calls for - you will discover the
surgery is so worth it. Congrats on your upcoming journey- hold onto your
bootstraps, because the ride is just beginning. God Bless
Cindi
-219#
— DollyDoodles
February 13, 2006
Hi Joanne,
My name is Marina and I am 14 days Lap RNY post-op.The way I see it is
when you break a leg, or have any other type of surgery or are just sick
in bed, everyone wants to feed you to make you feel better. Unfortunately,
this is one of the few times that food cannot help you feel better. You
should be on a liquid diet right after surgery, and what you wish you had
would be a nice hot meal or some type of comfort food to make you feel
better. Of course, we have always turned to food to comfort us. This is
what the head hunger is. I even dreamed of food the first week home. I
missed it so much. I had the same thought as alot of people " what
have I done to myself "? It will pass I promise, I didnt think it
would. We need to allow ourselves to grieve losing this so called best
friend who has really destroyed us. We need to start looking at food as
fuel and energy for our bodies, and that is all. Keep reading up on these
profiles this is where I gathered my strength to know what to expect and to
be able to deal with it.
God bless you in your journey,
— crazym68
February 13, 2006
Congrats on surgery date. I'm sending prayers and love your way. I can't
really answer your question regarding "head hunger" as I haven't
had to deal with it. I would presume that it is in regards to your head
telling you to eat something for whatever reason instead of just when
you're actually hungry. Don't be surprised if you feel like you're on an
emotional rollercoaster after surgery...atleast the first few weeks. I
cried at a drop of a hat (I hear this is normal after surgery). You may
have good days/bad days in regards to your decision to have the surgery.
I'm about 7 weeks out and sometimes question my decision. Do I regret it,
NO!!. I get kinda frustrated because I see other people eating foods that
I use to enjoy, but am now unable to eat either because it tastes different
or it doesn't agree with me. However, I keep telling myself that I'm
getting my health back and I'm still a "baby" when it comes to
being post-op. I'm sure others here have felt the same way at times. Good
luck and keep us posted.
— Beth C.
February 13, 2006
Hi Joan! Congrats on your upcoming surgery!!! Get ready for the best
rollercoaster ride of your life!
My answer about head hunger may scare you a bit :( But no worries, it has
a happy ending :)
I never realized how much I LOVED~LITERALLY LOVED~ food and when I wasn't
able to eat what I wanted, when I wanted (not necissarily the amounts, just
the cravings) it was as if my very best friend had died. I struggled with
head hunger sooooo bad that I was in tears daily for the first three
months. I questioned myself over and over why did I do this, I was
miserable. But once my stomache and I became best friends and worked out
what she would allow me to have, or how little of what I was craving, we've
been great ever since ;) I think another part of my problem was that I had
major dumping NO MATTER what I ate or drank, including water, and I was
sooooooo fed up with puking!!
Good luck lady, and no worries! You might NEVER experience head hunger and
if you do, know you'll make it through it and it will all be worth it in
the end!
— cedsangel
February 13, 2006
JoAnn, The best way for me to describe the feeling's I had after surgery is
withdrawel, I think we go through a withdrawel of sort's. I too dreamt
about food allot, it reminded me of when I quit smoking , I would see or
smell a cigarette and be instantly pissed that I couldn't have one ever
again. When my family would eat I would get so mad, but the good news is
you will be able to eat whatever you want eventually(within reason) keep
that in mind , that the craving's will stop. DO NOT give in to temptation I
did and ended up back in the hospital with a blockage. Not fun. I think you
feel sad also because you are losing a "friend" that was there
through thick and thin that never judged and made you feel oh so warm and
fuzzy. But after you start losing you realize that food wasn't a friend but
a burden that fueled your addiction.You will most likely go through the
"why did I do this to myself" phase but it too will pass as you
lose more and more and feel 100% better about yourself. Good luck on your
journey it is an awesome experience. I had open RNY Sept 29th 2005 and am
down 75 lbs maybe more will know next week at Dr's appt. Sincerely Pamela
Jo :o)
— sunnie
February 13, 2006
JoAnn Pam again I just wanted to add that they do the surgery on your tummy
not your nose and brain so be prepaired for everything smelling and looking
just as yummy as before surgery
— sunnie
February 13, 2006
I knew it would be tough emotionally. But thankfully it is'nt to bad most
of the time. However days such as these:
Christmas
Thanksgiving
Easter,
Birthdays ect
Are still very hard even at five years out. I can accept the limited amount
of food most days. But on special occassions I almost regret wls.
Emotionally I really want that "eat until you pop" feeling of
comfort. But that is forever gone now. It is one pleasure that I'll never
have again. Be prepared for those times when you get together for family,
to be forever changed. I'm not saying this is a bad thing. But you asked
about the "emotional" part of wls. For me this is very real.
But I knew wls would involve sacrafice... and this is just one of them.
— Danmark
February 14, 2006
Personally, I think it is so different for each of us that there is no way
to help you understand. This you will understand after the fact. There
was not one thing that people said to me that truly resonated or made
things any easier. Your journey is your own and will be as unique as a
snowflake. The only thing I wish I would have listened to is the fact that
I would be able to eat again and that I did not have to mourn the loss of
food. I think, somewhere deep down inside, I thought I would never be able
to enjoy food again. This has not been the case for me, nor has it been
the case for any of my friends who have had surgery. Each of us became
"regular" eaters at difference paces, but we all were able to eat
things we love sooner or later. I think if I would have truly beleived
this before my surgery, I would have been less sad. Have a great trip on
this wild ride!!!
— MissKimberly
February 15, 2006
Head hunger is just the phrase used to descrivbe when you are not really
physically hungry, you hae eate enough, and your stomach is full, but you
just want to eat something because it tastes good and you want it. It is
not true hunger if your pouch is full. Sometimes we just want to eat
becasuse we like it. My husband is always asking me who I think is going
to eat what I put on my plate, because I cannot eat it when my pouch is
full.
— Novashannon
February 15, 2006
Unlike many others I was not depressed, didn't have crying episodes, and
was not freaking out after surgery. I felt like I was on a mini-vacation,
just resting, watching TV, going for little walks and taking naps. So,
emotionally, it was not traumatic at all. Sure, it was a bit frustrating
not to have many eating options, and feeling full after one tiny bite, but
nothing to get emotional about...Good luck, be well!!!!
— vitoria
February 15, 2006
JoAnn, emotional issues relating to WLS go well beyond the first few months
and 'head hunger'. Yes, most people must come to terms with WHY they eat,
but one generally works this out within the first couple of months. For me
the biggest emotional upset came when I got closer to 'normal' sizes.
People WILL treat you differently, not just strangers but family and close
friends as well....not to mention you will also treat yourself differently.
I used to get so angry when I realized that people were friendlier to
those who were thin. Better career opportunities, more looks from the
opposite sex and so forth....anger. Confusion when you go to buy clothes
every couple of months. You go to try on that size 14 because it 'looks
about right' and come to find out you actually needed a 10.
Confusion...why do I still view myself as fat? Am I fat? Do I deserve to
be a size 10? Sounds obsurd, but it happens to a lot of us. Elation when
you feel great about the way you look. Seeing the reflection in a store
window of that woman that is just the size you want to be...and realizing
that it was actually you in the reflection. Then there is guilt....do I
deserve this? Am I lieing to the rest of the world? I know I'm really
fat, I'm tricking everyone else. There are MANY emotional rides that you
will be taking and it will take 2 or 3 years for the ride to come to a
stop. Be prepared for anything emotionally, embrace it, seek help if you
need it, but most of all....enjoy every tear and smile.
— RebeccaP
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