Question:
Anyone have a good way to get rid of Head Hunger?
I am post op two weeks. Everything is going great, yet I find myself quite often having head hunger. I'm not hungry but I am just craving the food. (Ex. Popcorn, pizza, ice cream etc...) Is there an easy way to get over this? I really did not realize how much of a food junkie I was. — Erin E. (posted on May 17, 2004)
May 16, 2004
I don't have a answer. I am going through the same thing. To make things
worse, my cubical at work is about 3 ft from the microwave. I always think
I am hungry and my co-workers lunch smells sooo good. I can't wait to chew
on something. I want bread really bad. I don't have an answer to head
hunger, just that you are not alone. I am 3 weeks post op today.
— Peggy Boyd
May 17, 2004
There is no easy way. Support groups, prayer, therapy, exercise,
distraction. In other words, try everything, do whatever it takes. Good
luck to finding your answer.
— scbabe
May 17, 2004
I deal with the same problem. I find that by limiting my carbs, (rice,
bread, pasta, potatoes, chips,) helps my cravings. I never realized how
carb addicted I was!
Best wishes!
— debmi
May 17, 2004
Erin- I think the fact that you know the difference between head hunger and
real hunger is more than half the battle. My suggestion would be
distraction such as reading, crafting, journaling or exercising.
Immediately post-op, I found that TV didn't make for a good distraction
since there are soooooooooo many food commercials. If this doesn't work,
drink your fluids and that will help. Good luck.
— Yolanda J.
May 17, 2004
Like a previous poster said knowing the difference is a huge advantage.
When I feel the head hunger kick in I either go for a walk or if I'm at
work do a change in scenery (i.e. go to the restroom, walk around the
building, etc.). Another thing I have found is that many times when I
"think" I am hungry it is not that but instead I am just thristy
and need water. So try drinking water.
— jmusser
May 17, 2004
One thing I did when the "head hunger" hit... I actually would
chew something and then spit it out with out swallowing... 1 bite of pizza,
a chip..small things.. but it helped. early on I was craving something to
chew too.. I wasn't hungry, but I missed the sensation of something other
than liquids in my mouth... make sure you don't swallow anything... Good
luck
Congrats on changing your life
Peg
lap rny 4/9/04
311/180/-131
— Peg L
May 17, 2004
Girl, You are not alone. I am 6 weeks out tomorrow. I see a commercial on
TV and I need that food. Of course I don't get it. It is like I am in
mourning for food. I have lost 41 lbs. and that keeps me right with the
cravings but sometimes I just feel like I will die without a hamburger. So,
I get the pre-made patties from Wal-Mart and when I feel this way (for
lunch or dinner) I defrost one in the microwave and grill it on my George
Foreman Grill. Add a bit of A-1 and it fixes my craving. For the sweets you
can try applesauce or canned pineapple but only in it's own juice not
syrup. Anyway, things WILL get better. Good Luck
— Angel E.
May 17, 2004
OIY! Does that bring back memories..check my profile for the full story
but I can remember recooping at my sisters house th first few weeks. Her 8
year old daughter was a brownie and my sister was a troop leader, so guess
who had stacks and stacks of boxes of girl scout cookies residing in her
dining room from floor to ceiling waiting for distribution? Yup..so not
only did I have the "visual" within reach, I also watched alot of
tv and my head hunger break point was the flying Burger King whoppers, you
know the commercial where the audience is in a theater wearing 3-D glasses
and a flying whopper comes at them..that along with Domino's
cinnastix..well, I don't know how I made it thru either. Drink alot of
water, go for your walks, turn that darn tv off, and remember why you had
this surgery to begin with. Also comfort yourself by knowing that someday
if you want that darn whopper or pizza, you will be able to have it again.
Surprisingly by the time I was able to have that whopper, it just didn't
taste the same...neither did pizza as a post-op. Can't say the same for
cookies, though!
— Cindy R.
May 17, 2004
well , i chewed gum and sucked on hardy candy . and it seem to work alot
— lizzie72
May 17, 2004
For me, I cut down on cravings by making certain I take my vitamins. On
days I forget, I get major cravings. That's just something I've noticed.
Good Luck! 18 months out~315/124
— klinzey
May 17, 2004
I drink a protein shake or drink water. Good Luck
— snicklefritz
May 17, 2004
I've got 2 words for you that helped me a lot!!!!
SUGAR-FREE POPSCICLES!!!!!
— vllgmz4
May 18, 2004
For me: turn off that TV (yay Cindy!), drink constantly, stay busy, busy,
busy, and keep involved with my support system of other post-ops going
through the same stuff- and oh yeah - bring on the SF popsicles. Good luck
- you CAN do this!
— kultgirl
May 18, 2004
I'm 5 weeks post op and when I went to see my surgeon last week, I asked
him about the "head hunger". He suggested I "go for
it", take a single bite of whatever I was craving and see what it does
to my body. I did, and my body DIDN'T like it!!! That helped me get rid
of my head hunger, however, you should NOT try this without first
discussing it with your doctor. I'm just saying it helped me.
— Holly G.
May 19, 2004
ORBIT SPEARMINT GUM, I love it!!! If I NEED something, I'll chew 2 sticks.
I've already chewed 4 pieces at one time because I needed to have that
chewing sensation. It really helps me and I love Orbit because the flavor
really lasts and it's sugar free. Good Luck, Kelly*
— Kelly* P.
May 19, 2004
I saw several postops who said you can buy SONIC ICE by the bag and that
really helps to give you something to chew on. I am a few days from surgery
and plan on using that during my liquid phase so I can feel like I'm
actually eating something rather than drinking it.
— tisfemin
May 20, 2004
At two weeks out I would try the sugar free popcycles someone mentioned. I
am now 4 and 1/2 months out. I don't know if I should but I eat sunflower
seeds. The chewing and spitting them out is just what I need.
— Cameron Van Winkle
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