Question:
Head hunger or real hunger

I don't mean to question anyone's expeience, but really how do you KNOW you aren't really hungry? I had my RNY 12/6, and with the first two days being the exception I have never lost my appetite. It just takes less to fill me up. I eat three meals (still pureed) a day and usually one of those is a protien shake (30gm). Then I have liquid protein (Isopure drinks, etc.) to help me get to 60gm pf protein a day. But I do feel hungry occasionally. How am I supposed to tell between head hunger and real hunger? Feels the same to me! :)    — Lisa S. (posted on December 23, 2007)

December 23, 2007
For me, head hunger can hit even when I have a full stomach. It hits when I'm bored, or distressed. It's more about paying attention to the feelings I have when I'm hungry. If it's normal mealtime, and I eat late for some reason, sure, I get a little hungry. Head hunger for me is when the food CALLS you. It's more ferocious than the empty pouch kind of hunger. ~Shirley
   — Shirley D.

December 23, 2007
Head hunger is usually able to be satisfied with distractions. (Like walking, etc). You also have to ask yourself this. Are you sitting down and just watching tv? Bored? If so get up and MOVE and find something to do to distract yourself. We as bariatric patients need to be able to figure out which is which. I, myself, haven't had real hunger pains since surgery. Mine have been head hunger that I fight every single day. I could go all day and not eat one thing, but have to force myself to eat the recommended 3 meals + 2 snacks per day and get in my water and protein. Not an easy feat. Your nutritionist can help you with more details on how to distinguish between head hunger and actual hunger. The reason why most of us say it's head hunger and not real hunger is because the majority of us don't actually feel the hunger pains from our stomach's after surgery. It's in our heads and we know this. I had hunger pains prior to surgery and I KNOW the difference. I even learned something today off your post. I wasn't aware there were people after surgery that still actually had true hunger pains because I have to force myself to eat and drink. The saying "we no longer live to eat, we eat to live" holds totally true in my case. I could go all day without eating or drinking but I know I HAVE to. Good luck, God bless, welcome to the losing side and Merry Christmas!
   — crystalsno

December 23, 2007
It will take some time to figure things out. I had NO appetite whatsoever right after surgery in April 2006. I probably got my appetite back around 9 months post. Then it became really hard b/c I couldn't tell if I was truly hungry or just bored and wanted something sweet (sweets are my total downfall). For now at least, go by how much food you are eating. If you've eaten a protein shake, some fruit, some carbs too and you still think you're hungry - well, it's just not possible. Your pouch is definitely full b/c of the volume you've eaten. But if not, take it a bite at a time and listen to your body. I still don't know sometimes so I just do the best I can. :) That's all you can ask for. Good luck. Happy holidays. ~Sarah
   — platypus

December 23, 2007
Most ppl will say there is no way to be hungrey,but there are wrong. I had gastric bypass 09/04/07 and still to this day I feel hungrey. Two weeks after my surgrey was the worst. Just drink water and when u really fill hugrey drink a protien shake.
   — aluvzu2

December 24, 2007
Lisa, head hunger feels exactly the same to most people as real hunger. The thing is, it is really rear that obese American's ever experience hunger. We eat all day long. If you have had food within 3 to 4 hours, you are not hungry. I have to judge my hunger by when I ate last, not what I feel. The harmone that produces the hunger affect plays with you before your surgery, and your head plays with you after. You have to go by facts not feelings. It may not help, but it is the truth. Warm liquids help, so when I have eaten and don't need to, I drink warm decalf tea, it helps me. You will find something that helps you too. Go by fact, not feeling. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

December 24, 2007
Lisa, there are a small percentage of bariatric patients who DO feel REAL hunger. I am one of them (RNY 11/26/06). I know the difference between head and real, and real is more of a physical hunger, here is what a bariatric book I am reading says: "True hunger, or physiological hunger, involves hunger pangs, stomach growling, or feeling weak or shaky from lack of food. This is the hunger that requires the response of eating.....Head hunger, or emotional hunger, must be controlled in order to be successful with long term weight loss and maintentance. When you eat in response to a situation, like a holiday party or the smell of food cooking, or for emotional reasons, like stress or loneliness, you are responding to head hunger." Previous posters are correct on doing an activity if you know you can't possibly be hungry. I am actually physically hungry (real hunger, not head hunger) about 2-3 hrs after I eat my meals. I just drink a protein drink or more water and I'm usually okay. If it really hurts (I get seriously painful hunger pains!!) then I will have a slice of deli turkey or some cheese as a "snack". I am very annoyed that I feel these hunger pains, but I'm also thankful so far that I don't have any issues with nausea or not being able to tolerate what I eat. By the way, the book I'm reading (which is very good) is called "The Emotional First + Aid Kit - A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery" by Cynthia L Alexander, PsyD. Good luck, and Merry Christmas!!!
   — itzmetami

December 25, 2007
I am hungry and I am 6 1/2 years post-op. I need money to have the lap band surgery over my gastric bypass. I can't lose any more weight and am gaining it. I can't do it without the surgery. Please help find a way for me? If I can win the lottery, that would help. Merry Christmas. Pam
   — Pam Fottrell

December 29, 2007
Head hunger can be alleviated without eating... distract yourself from it, do something fun, go for a walk, etc. "Real" hunger can cause stomach growling, hunger pangs, headache/shakes/dizziness. Because you are eating purees and liquids, food goes into and exits your pouch fairly quickly... it's already broken down ("chewed") so it goes into your intestines fairly quickly. When you move on to solid foods, you will most likely experience some changes in appetite and how you feel hunger. I can tell when I am really hungry vs. head hungry by keeping around some type of snack I don't really like. If I'm willing to eat said snack, then it's usually real hunger. Peanuts and cheese fall into this category for me. Best wishes.
   — mrsidknee