Question:
I need help with head hunger!

I am 8 1/2 months post-op open RNY. I'm down 125 lbs, but since the 6 month mark my head hunger has gone crazy! I crave lots of different foods and I'm having difficulty not snacking. My workplace has lots of snack items on display most of the time. I admit I am not drinking enough water and eating too many carbs-I know what I SHOULD do, however, doing it is a different story. I'm open to a good kick in the pants...    — Brenda H. (posted on January 14, 2002)

January 14, 2002
Brenda, Can you commit to doing even one thing? Getting in all the water? Getting enough protein before starting on carbs? Getting in 15 minutes of walking every day? Remember, I'm not saying all of those, but if you can do even one, it should help. Maybe if you can get one of those going again, you could add a second one after a couple of weeks.
   — [Anonymous]

January 14, 2002
I'm having the same problem. I'm 1 year post op, RNY open. I've lost 99 lbs and getting to 100 is a struggle and I still have 35 more to lose. I decided tonight that I will lay off unnecessary carbs and drink more water. I'm so afraid I'll get "fat" again. Good luck to you!
   — [Anonymous]

January 14, 2002
I am only 2 months post op and the head hunger is hard for me too. When I went for my 2 months appt I was very disappointed in the scale... but I knew I was the problem....My doc suggested protein protein protein... I am not talking liquid protein as I wont eat that stuff... I get my protein first.. then I eat my carbs mainly in the form of fruit and veggies.. and a rare bread... There is a very good book The Carbohydrate Addicts Life Span book... Carbs make us crave more and more... if you can load up the protein it will be much better.. I started actually counting my protein and carb intake EVERY day.. I thought having this surgery would be the end of counting... but it is not.. I have decided that surgery was too painful and traumatic to not make it work... so my best wishes to you.. You are doing great thus far.. but I know a little of what you are feeling...
   — Pamela W.

January 14, 2002
I have this problem too at 5 months post-op. I finally started doing the water loading (seriously) and it really does help. In addition, whenever I'm hungry before my next meal, I drink water quickly until I'm full and that helps hold me off for a bit. If I HAVE to have some kind of bread carbs, I make sure it's whole grain... like whole wheat bread or Wasa crackers. That helps w/ "bounce back" cravings.
   — mom2jtx3

January 14, 2002
Oh...those nasty carbs! The more you eat...the more you crave. I learned that the hard way. Some of us are more sensitive to carbs than others....just a little triggers the cravings for more. I've all but eliminated such cravings (and started losing weight again) by removing all simple carbs (white bread, white rice, sugar, etc.) from my diet. My bread of choic is whole wheat pita. Basically, I eat protein, veggies and fruits and yogurt. I eat as much as I want and water load. The cravings are gone and I'm losing a pound a week. That's a real accomplishment for me because my weight stabilized over two years ago and I'd given up all hope of ever getting to my goal. Now....I think I'll make it!
   — [Anonymous]