Question:
DOES ANYONE ELSE CRAVE FOOD JUST LIKE BEFORE SURGERY?
I AM POST-OP 5 WEEKS FROM RNY AND I CRAVE ALL MY FAVORITE FOODS. THANK GOD MY POUCH WON'T LET ME EAT THEM IN THE QUANTITIES I WANT TO. THIS IS MY BIGGEST FEAR COME TRUE. I AM AFRAID OF FAILING TO USE THIS TOOL AND STRETCHING MY POUCH. I STARTED TO EAT REAL FOODS SOONER THAN I WAS SUPPOSE TO BUT AT THIS POINT I CAN ONLY EAT 2 OUNCES OR SO, BUT I CRAVE MORE. IS THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE? SO MANY SAY THEY DON'T EVEN WANT FOOD. NOT ME. I AM LOSING WT. AS EXPECTED I THINK. I AM 25# DOWN. SINCERELY WORRIED, MARSHA — tigerlil58 (posted on February 29, 2008)
February 29, 2008
Sounds like the classic "head hunger". You say you can only eat 2
oz but you crave (think) you want more. Head hunger. You're full, used to
eating larger quantities of food in the past, and find it difficult to
adjust your head so that 2 ounces makes your head say "I'm full".
Somewhat normal.
— Dave Chambers
February 29, 2008
If you stretch your pouch you will gain all your weight back. dont do it.
Just because you had the surgery it doesnt make you stop wanting things.
Your always going to want the things you loved. The best thing is is that
you have this great tool that will stop you from eating too much of the
things you loved You should not eat what your not supposed to eat until the
dr tells you to. Follow his directions to the T. I am 4 yrs out and I have
not gained 1LB back. I am very happy with this and the way I look and feel
makes me want to never look or feel like i did when I was fat.
— Joanc
February 29, 2008
Marsha...i have to say it but the surgery is done on your stomach and not
your head, LOL. Our support group leader always uses that saying. It's so
true. They do surgery on your stomach and give you a tool, your new pouch
and if your medical group and/or surgeon and/or both are on the ball - you
received some sort of education as to how to cope with all of the issues
you are talking about. Let's face it - the head/brain is a tricky little
bugger. I would suggest seeing someone, therapist or whatever to try to get
your head around the head hunger and stuff.
— jammerz
February 29, 2008
Marsia, You have to set your mind that you need to not LIVE TO EAT, But Eat
to live. The worst thing you can do is keep thinking you need the food, You
don't! Its like smoking. I smoked till 2 months before my surgery and
haven't had a cigarette in 14 months. Yes I sometimes crave them but, When
I crave them I either go for a walk, Run the sweeper (my carpets are C L E
A N) hahaha, Go for a walk, Walk the tread mill, clean the bathroom! Do
anything to get your mind off the food. if you need to you can E-Mail me
anytime if I can help you I will. [email protected] keep up the
good work and don't blow it! Bobby
— obx100
February 29, 2008
That is head hunger, and I tried a few bites of a desert and I woun't do
that again. To much pain and suffering. My heart raced for nearly an hour
and I was sweeting and feeling hot all over.
— William (Bill) wmil
February 29, 2008
Hi Marsha - I replaced with low fat, low sugar foods. Plan what you eat.
Weigh and measure everything. ex I count out my pretzels. weigh and
measure, eat slowly, chew chew chew, drink your fluids. I found finding
things to do like read, I walk in the mall (shopping too lol) helps to get
my mind off food. Like they are saying it is head hunger need to change
your thinking. Takes 21 days to form a new habit or break an old one.
Hang in there you are doing fabulous...
Best of luck
— niecie54
February 29, 2008
Relax, this is normal - you'll get a handle on it, trust me, once you puke
for distance a couple time, you'll get your mind right!!! Lots of luv for
ya, hang in there, we know you will be ok.
— 29Diesel
February 29, 2008
If you figure that you have had this eating pattern for several years, this
is normal. Just think, you woke up one day and are forced to eat
different, it was a habit you developed over time. This new way of eating
will take time. Yes your mouth and mind ask for your old favorites, it's
up to you to determine whether you will indulge or not.
— bariatricdivalatina
February 29, 2008
Just eat a small protein snack and you won't have room for the BAD things!
Good luck! Lesleigh
— lesleigh07
February 29, 2008
you will crave foods that is natural. Small amounts once in a while are
ok. If you always eat them over protein foods you will gain weight. You
do not want to stretch your pouch because later on when you are three years
out it will be hard for you.
— tl_morgan
March 1, 2008
That is head hunger, and I tried a few bites of a desert and I woun't do
that again. To much pain and suffering. My heart raced for nearly an hour
and I was sweeting and feeling hot all over.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 2, 2008
Hi Marsha. I think that what you're feeling is perfectly normal. You will
not stretch your pouch if you stop eating the minute you feel full. And as
you said, your pouch won't let you eat them in the quantities you want.
I'm now about 7 weeks out and I have the same feelings. Even though I
can't eat much (thank goodness) I still crave the same things I craved
before my surgery. I indulge myself with a bit or two of some things...
keeping in mind that I still need my protein and I ALWAYS take my vitamin
supplements.
This is the hard part for me, however. After I do indulge myself in
something I like I generally don't feel well afterwards so guess what? I
don't get that craving for quite a while.
THIS is what plays tricks on my mind. Eating something that I used to love
that now doesn't taste good and makes me semi sick. Mentally it is so
tough...however physically I know that I'm healthier and feel better and
look better.
Food was my enemy and that's why I made such a drastic move as WLS.
Always focus on the reason WHY you had the surgery and dealing with your
cravings won't be so bad.
ALso, my cravings are becoming less and less the further out from the
surgery I get.
Best of luck to you Marsha....you're doing great.
Chris
— cjjordan
March 5, 2008
Hi Marsha,
I am a food addict. Plain and simple. In my many years of 12 step program
work the only thing that got rid of my cravings for my favorite foods was
to stay away from sugar (there are over a 100 different types of sugar) and
flour. Before my WLS, I followed a diet to shrink my liver and it was free
of sugar and flour so after surgery, I didn't really have any food
cravings. I have made a point of following all of my nutritional guidance
in the last month and so far I only experience what is called "Head
Hunger. I will stand in the grocery store and look at foods that I used to
eat knowing that I cannot eat them anymore but at the same time I still
cook for DH. I know it sounds strange but maybe it's my way of coping with
the loss of my long time coping mechanism. In the nutrition class I had
before surgery, they mentioned that baby food is high in sugar and I chose
to puree all my food myself so that I would know what was in it. 2 oz is
not alot of food. I have been able to eat 2oz of protein and 1 oz of dairy
or fruit at breakfast and 2oz of protein, 1oz of fruit and 1oz of veggie at
lunch and dinner. I think the whey isolate protein in soy or skim milk is
what helps me with cravings also. I drink 8oz twice a day. My
mother-in-law had the RNY three years ago and is miserable that she has
gained back 20 lbs from eating her favorite snack foods. I still think
it's a good idea to avoid sugar and flour after WLS if you have cravings.
MHO
— Bigwyfan1964
March 5, 2008
Hi Marsha
I'm 4 years out and I still feel like this but the tool is always
there. I gave up on a few occations in the beginning and as my Doctor
always says I find out he's always their by the pain and discomfort I have
to endure days after. I use to sit on the floor and cry for hours, wanting
to believe I felt full in my head. Then one day I realized my head needed
to be filled not my body. I learned to accept myself and I've been getting
to know me ever since. I still have a problem putting myself first and
sometimes I forget about small portions, but that's when I start all over
again. It's not easy being changed overnight. I always feel it's like
finding your way in the dark, in a place you've never been. You'll be fine,
give your self a chance to adjust. Anna
— ANNAJEAN
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