Question:
any one hungry?

Tomorrow marks the end of week 3 for me so I actually get to start eating puree foods. I am kind of afraid of over eating because I have been hungry this whole time. I was hoping the surgery would quiet my desire to eat. Maybe it in my head. Maybe I just haven't been getting in enough fluids.    — April J. (posted on February 27, 2007)

February 27, 2007
I would suggest a few things 1.) yes, it could be in your head. I am 12 days post-op todate. 1 week out, I thought I was ready for soft foods, but it was all in the head. I truly have not been hungry since surgery. I got my staples taken out today and my surgeon OK'ed introducing soft foods (cottage cheese and veggies from soup - if I polverize it before I swallow it)little at a time as my blood sugars have been low. 2.) If you are "hungry" truly....then I would suggest abiding by the menus your surgeon gave you - 1 tablespoon this, 2 tablespoons that, etc. and stick to it. Remember, your new pouch is the size of a walnut, or a bit bigger that you are 3 weeks out. 3. ) take it easy, don't rush food, keep your feelings of fullness in tact and to do not over eat! You don't want to start streching your new pouch and lead to weight gain down the road. Don't set yourself up to fail. 4.) If it is in your head, I suggest seeing someone - a therapist. Most insurance's will cover a certain amount of visits per year or pay per visit. Talk out your issues and see if they can help you. Best of luck on your journey! :)
   — jammerz

February 27, 2007
Howdy April...Welcome to the losing side.I'm almost four months out myself.I'm VERY happy with the surgery.I feared what might happen afterwards ie..other addictions and the like. My number 1 problem is HEAD HUNGER.There have been numerous times that I have "thought" I was hungry or that I could eat what I had before me.Once you sit back and realize that you can't, then I just become thankful that my "tool" is still working and that I don't want to sabbotage that.Old habits are hard to break, but once you realize what you're dealing with,(silly head hunger) try and refrain from the urge to even buy bigger amounts than you should be consuming.Good luck to ya. Overeating is uncomfortable, so do go very slow. Finally....drinking water helps too, just not with you meals.
   — purnellj

February 27, 2007
Hi April, congratualtions on your successful surgery. Obesity is a head issue with a body consequence, so much of what you think is hunger could very well be in your head. It looks like real hunger, it feels like real hunger, and you can even be convincing yourself that you are starving and gonna die if you don't eat more. The reality is that our bodies don't need near the food we force ourselves to eat. Eat right, get your water, protein and exercise in, and you have to learn to discipline your body to obey you, not the other way around. Obese people (myself included) obey blindly their lust for food. I am 3 years out, and this has not changed. It is a daily battle, sometimes much harder that the day before, other times it is pretty simple. I have lost 120 pounds, but I struggle with what and how much to eat every day. If you don't change your thinking and deal with the issues that turn your lust for food on, you will be in great danger of eventually gaining back your weight. Begin now, read, go to support group, and do what your doctor says. You have come too far to go backwards, move forward and protect your pouch. Best to you. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

February 27, 2007
Hi April, congrats on your weight loss so far. Just hang in there it all will come off soon. I am 7 wks out today. I had the same thoughts of eating. I thought I was hungry and wanted to eat when I started solids. I soon found out it was just head hungry. I would sit down and say oh I can eat this but after 3 bites I was feeling too full and now have learned only a few bites and I am done. I also found out breads didn't go well either. I would have a 1/2 slice of toast in the mornings and soon afterwards would have such stomach pain. I cut the toast out and been fine since. I thought there was something seriously wrong with me at first. Keep up the fluids and vitamins. This will all pay off soon for you. Good luck.
   — deborah R.

February 27, 2007
My advise to you now that you can eat puree is to measure everything. You don't want to overload your pouch. If you do it is going to come up and that is not a fun thing to happen believe me. Once you have that happen you will be extra careful not to do it again. I am just 8 weeks out and everyday is a learning experience. Solids are a treat now but also a challenge. My advise is slow and easy all down the road. As for the hunger. The previous letter was right Head Hunger. You can beat it once you figure out just what your body will tollerate. The only thing I really miss is really quenching my thirst. You know a good long big gulp of a cold drink. If I try to do that my chest hurts like crazy. So.....I don't do it of course. Well anyway good luck on your journey. You will be alright. Just take it slow and one day at a time. God Bless
   — njkbutton

February 28, 2007
Hey April I don't thing there is anything wrong with you feeling hungry. The surgery is designed to work in 2 ways that is if you had bypass and not lapband. First your stomach is stapled off to create that small pouch and second your intestines are reversed in the digestion process so that you will malabsorb. Never have I ever read in any of the Society for Bariatrics information that you are not supposed to have real hunger, not head hunger but you must at some points be hungry even if it is just a one ounce pouch. Nutrition is the key now and eating is the basis for that, just choosing the right foods and your body will tell you when you've had enough.You will have what wls specialist call that feeling of saiety or "fullness" much quicker and easier and longer. So my suggestion to you is not worry about feeling hungry, I think it is completely normal and it doesn't always mean that it is "head hunger" this comes when you have eaten what you need at that stage in your journey and you just want to eat for the sake of eating. This feeling to is normal this surgery does not fix the head just the stomach. If I had a dollar for everytime over the last 3and half years that I went to the kitchen and actually wanted and intended on blowing this whole thing I would be rich but it doesn't take long to figure out that it just isn't going to work.So anyway best wishes in your weightloss journey I know you will do great. RNY 2004 305lb---137lbs
   — Kissie

February 28, 2007
Hey April I don't thing there is anything wrong with you feeling hungry. The surgery is designed to work in 2 ways that is if you had bypass and not lapband. First your stomach is stapled off to create that small pouch and second your intestines are reversed in the digestion process so that you will malabsorb. Never have I ever read in any of the Society for Bariatrics information that you are not supposed to have real hunger, not head hunger but you must at some points be hungry even if it is just a one ounce pouch. Nutrition is the key now and eating is the basis for that, just choosing the right foods and your body will tell you when you've had enough.You will have what wls specialist call that feeling of saiety or "fullness" much quicker and easier and longer. So my suggestion to you is not worry about feeling hungry, I think it is completely normal and it doesn't always mean that it is "head hunger" this comes when you have eaten what you need at that stage in your journey and you just want to eat for the sake of eating. This feeling to is normal this surgery does not fix the head just the stomach. If I had a dollar for everytime over the last 3and half years that I went to the kitchen and actually wanted and intended on blowing this whole thing I would be rich but it doesn't take long to figure out that it just isn't going to work.So anyway best wishes in your weightloss journey I know you will do great. RNY 2004 305lb---137lbs
   — Kissie

March 1, 2007
You need to learn to distinguish between "head Hunger" and true hunger. Sometimes we just want to eat because it tastes good.
   — Novashannon