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I found this statement interesting. Can you define what real hunger is for you? What I mean is what are you actually feeling? I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I sometimes think we overuse this concept of "head hunger" vs. "real hunger". I know I've been guilty of that as much as anyone, but i think we should keep in mind that much of what people call real hunger is also "in our heads". A better way of differentiating hunger signals may be to call them homeostatic hunger and hedonic hunger since these happen somewhat differently. While this is oversimplified, homeostatic hunger starts as a signal from our stomach by way of production of ghrelin, which in turn activates AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus. Simply put, it may originate when the stomach is empty, but it's our brains that tell us it's time to eat again. This is not something we actively control. It's the bodies way of trying to keep you from starving to death. Hedonic hunger on the other hand is your body seeking pleasure from food. We like to say this is the one we want to control if weight loss is the goal, under the assumption that overall calorie intake will be less if we don't "give in" to cravings. Here's the thing, though. While scientists don't fully understand what's happening, we do know that dopamine and endocannabinoid receptors are being activated in our brains. Interestingly, just seeing or smelling certain foods can trigger these same processes. I wanted to explain this because it wouldn't be wrong to say all hunger is head hunger. The good news there is we also can be in control of both types of hunger, since they are both "in our heads". In terms of your specific situation, I think it would be rare to already be experiencing a lot of homeostatic hunger this early after surgery. On the other hand, it's probably not unheard of. For me personally, I was really bad at understanding what true hunger felt like. As a former obese person, I hated feeling hungry and would rather feel the overstuffed feeling in my guts since at least then my brain would quiet down. I'm not saying I've got it mastered, but I'm beginning to understand that when I'm truly hungry, I have other things going on like feeling weak, feeling irritated, and/or having brain fog. The strong urge to eat that i sometimes feel without those symptoms is probably more just my brain trying hard to either seek pleasure, or keep me from starving to death.

Spartan maker thankyou for your post it really give me something to think about. I have always hated being hungry too and I think my head is trying to control me again! I have always loved eating and even though I'm not craving junk food I think I am missing eating. I got into a habit of looking at recipes and looking at healthier food options online shopping. I am always thinking about food which is definitely not helping. Today I sat with my 'hunger' and found that if I waited a few minutes and diverted my attention away from food I was fine. The mind is such a powerful thing I can hardly believe it! My mind has tricked me into eating more and gaining weight my whole life and it's what has got me here! So I need to change it up and use sone CBT practises to push away the intrusive food thoughts. Thank you so much you really helped me to see this after reading your reply!

Getting some fluid removed from your band is a good first step. In the meantime, try sleeping with your head elevated and avoiding trigger foods like caffeine, alcohol, and spicy stuff. If the Prilosec isn't cutting it, maybe talk to your doctor about a stronger medication.

We went to visit friends this weekend in CO and I went snow shoeing for the first time! I don’t know that I could have done it at my starting weight. My legs are still sore cause you have to walk differently than you do normally, but we went over 3 miles and it was so much fun!

Congrats on 10 years! I think we all will have ups and downs our whole lives! Just life! I too was 277 at my highest ever. Lost 100 lbs before and 60 lbs three times, and 20 and 30 lbs several times and it always came back slowly over the next few years. So I got the sleeve done Dec 2 last year and have gone from 244 at start of liquids before surgery to 202.4 today. Almost to Onederland! I love all the tips you shared. Snacking and drinking calories are DEFINITELY culprits to regaining our weight! I bring divided out grapefruit every day lately if I do want something. Or berries or cucumbers. And I've been drinking water during the week and add in my tea and coffee on the weekends usually. But I use Stevia. I was divorced a few years back also and remarried and my husband is pre-diabetic. He doesn't eat sugar now so that helps me too. 🙂 He eats healthier than I do since he found that out too. Determined to not become diabetic. He eats baked fish, grilled shrimp, spinach and cabbage, etc. LOL! He's got some great willpower. You and I seem to have lots in common! But I don't like beer. LOL! It's probably better for me though than pina coladas, which are my fave! LOL! I haven't had one in a year or longer. And just had surgery about 3 months ago. You can tell I hardly drink at all. 🤣 I am so glad to know restriction stays! Some people say it fades. I'm glad it doesn't! Hopefully we can continue to lose and get to a weight we are happy with this year! 💗

Awwww thanks ☺️

So happy for you! This is my next goal as well! To be in Onederland. Hopefully soon. I'm at 206.2. I always feel better once I'm in the 100s again. This time I'm doing everything I can to NEVER go to 200 again in my life! Done this too many times over 35 years of my life. No more. That's why I got surgery. Hoping it's what will help me keep the bulk of my weight GONE! My highest was 277 years ago and I lost 100 lbs. and sure enough over the years following that I slowly let it come back on. Can't do that anymore! I'm 51 and don't want this battle in my life anymore! Congratulations for getting there! I know how good that feels! 😍

Jamielogical thank you for your inspiring words of motivation I had the VSG about 3 years ago and regain weight to the point I was thinking there is no way to get it back off. After reading your story I have the motivation I needed to not give up the fight and reclaim myself.

Great post ! Happy 10th surgiversary and wishing you many more years of restored health!

Lot's of good advice in your post! I wanted to comment on the above issue regarding proteins that seem like they just don't want to digest properly. I was advised by my surgical team to try papain (also known as papaya proteinase I). It was like a miracle in quickly easing that really horrible feeling and getting the food to digest. It might not be for everyone (I hear some people can react to it), but it worked so well for me I tend to carry some with me when I'm traveling or know I'll be eating out.