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Certainly not trying to diminish what you’re experiencing. Just offering some suggestions, things to think about or discuss with your medical team. Head hunger encompasses more than just cravings it’s just the most obvious one that most relate to. But it’s also eating for emotional reasons: to sooth in response to anger, sadness, depression, anxiety, stress, etc. Head hunger is also habit driven eating. Like always eating when you go to the movies, watching tv, before you go to bed or eating very regularly (every hour or less). Also eating because you’re drinking alcohol & socialising. Plus perceptions of what is ‘enough’ food as I mentioned before. Because, if we’re honest when we’re obese, our body has plenty of stored energy in our fat it can burn if our body needs more calories than we’re currently consuming to function. It’s what we need to happen if we are to lose weight. Major surgery is stressful & doesn’t matter how ready you were for this surgery it still is an emotional roller coaster of various degrees. So that could be contributing. Is your esomeprazole prescription or over the counter? You may be producing too much stomach acid so you may need a higher dose - 20 or 40mg. The acid will make you think you’re hungry though you’re not. You eat & your tummy uses the acid to digest that food & the pain/pangs go so you think yes, I was hungry. Once you get onto solid foods this should reduce - more acid is needed to digest the denser food than just liquids & purées so you’ll use more of what you are producing. Hunger pains/pangs do not necessarily occur only when your hungry. They are the result of many triggers. Not the best article about the causes of hunger pangs but it may be a little helpful. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321725#symptoms. My tummy gurgles, groans, squelches, often (it’s doing it now 😆) but is not related to me needing to eat. (Remember how when our tummy would gurgle people would say you must be hungry? Not necessarily true.) It can be from what I ate (dairy causes it sometimes), drinking too fast or having too big a swallow, or even resting my iPad on my chest when I read at night. Can be a bit embarrassing but it seems to be how my tummy works now. I hope you can find a way to manage & help what you’re experiencing. And I hope your medical team returns your call soon. So frustrating when they don’t follow through with support. All the best.

I too have had binging/eating dreams since my surgery. I have heard that alcoholics and addicts have similar dreams about using their drug of choice. Makes me happy that I did this, because I truly believe that food is an addiction as well. Its great to have another support place!

Having a good fill cuts your appetite and makes it easier to make good choices. Not being able to stick to the diet can be a great reason to get a fill. Protein schmotein anyway. A half cup of veges is a very worthwhile thing to ingest. I'd hate to see what you'd look like after a year on a diet of meat only. The thought of eating only protein items is ridiculous, its very unhealthy. Protein first does not mean protein only, she SHOULD be eating salad and veges, not thinking that these are the wrong things to eat. Personally, I eat bread and cereals too. But I know that with good restriction I have less appetite, am more easily satisfied and dont have the desire for sweet foods and extras. I wouldnt hesitate to get a fill in her situation but she does need to commit to sticking to the rules too. You can be super tight and still not follow the rules. Alcohol, chocolate and ice cream will always go down fine so she needs to eat these foods in moderation.

I'm not having any issues with it i'm only 4 Weeks out of my second surgery just think that i might have problems with alcohol, or even pain meds, however right now i'm waiting for a call back from a psych. And hopefully well bee seeing me within the next week I need help!

Yes there are some here that have experienced crossover addictions... I have, to a smaller degree experienced it. I've never had an drug or alcohol addiction. But I come from a family with both (my mother and brother) This is a post from me some months back.... Comfort.. It's why I ate. Numbing myself with each bite, from what? Past trauma? Disappointment? Boredom? Life? The answer? All of the above. As you know a lot of us struggle with addictive personalities here. If you've been around here you've heard me talk about my problem with the pain meds at night, I started taking them in the evening ( the same time I did my best eating) long after I "needed" them.. I shocked myself because drugs or alcohol have never been a problem for me. It's like an addiction is waiting around every corner just waiting for me some days. I've been sick this last week and had bad allergies to top it off. I have always stayed away from Benadryl because I have a bad drugged type reaction and then it knocks me out. Well a few days ago I got so desperate I took one, worked awesome! I went back for more the next night. Last night I couldn't find them, my husband took them. He said I know you just want to knock yourself out.... Was he right? Maybe. We have additive personalities, and we are sneaky beings. So we are always looking for ways to fill that hole. My husband knew about the pain meds in the beginning because I told him. That's how he knew to take the Benadryl away and confront me on it. You need to do the same. Shine a light on the problem, talk to a close family member, friend, and counselor. And us of course,

My brother passed away exactly this time last year after a long struggle with alcohol. He was only 47. I took it very hard and gained even more weight doing my version of "coping" and was feeling horrible. Then in August my health problems started. I was diagnosed with PCOS and put on metformin for my blood sugar and was taking 4-5 birth control pills per day. I knew the day I was prescribed all of those pills that it was time! I look at it like I am conquering the addiction that I have allowed to control me. My brother would be proud I think. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Lol, you forgot beer or alcohol lol Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think these things about myself too. I find myself correcting myself from "I should" "I would" to saying "I will." At least you aware of your demons cause then you can confront them head on. I have had some time to correct a few things because I am type 2 diabetic and not on insulin I have to MAKE myself, and sometimes fail, not gorge on something like Chinese - it is self correcting because I hate the feeling of being "sugar drunk." Or I can't eat too many carbs but trust me when I say I am fat cause I still make bad choices like how am I going to give up butter?????? And no straw?? And no diet mountain dew? We get all caught up in these unhealthy habits and it is going to take some undoing after surgery. Some of it will be self-correcting, I bet. I don't know. I am in the same boat, though, surgery is Sept 18 for me. And of course, here is me saying, go eat that chinese if you can for just this moment. I miss chinese food, especiall Thai. Good for you for kicking tobacco and alcohol. You must have a pretty strong determination if you got past those things.

Hubby won a gift card for Longhorn Steakhouse so even though Sunday will be my last meal before my pre op diet, we decided to go out tonight. It was wonderful; rib eye with baked potato stuffed mushrooms and a ginger ale. Tomorrow will be my last margarita...haven’t had one in a few years (haven’t had any alcohol in over a year) but it sounds good lol. Hubby is happy because after surgery I will be a really cheap date...since a shot glass full of puréed veggies will fill me up [emoji23] Have a great day! Amanda [emoji16] HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]

Hi Kimmi, Welcome to LBT! We are glad you found us. Making the decision to have the band is not one I think any of us go into lightly. Most everyone has tried just about every method of losing weight we can think of. Sometimes we are successful. Most of the time we either aren't successful, or we gain the weight back (in my case, we add even more pounds than we took off). I see this as being no different than a person who is addicted to smoking or alcohol. It is very difficult to "kick the habit" and we usually have to reach an all time low point before we finally decide we have had enough and if we want to continue living, be healthy and have a good quality of life, then we have to make that final, life changing decision. For us here, that decision is to acknowledge that we are unable to succeed at the more "traditional" ways of losing weight and we need help. For us, that help comes in the form of our band. It is not taking the easy way out. You still have to make good food choices and you still have to exercise. But, with the band, you have a constant companion who is there to tell you you have had enough and it is time to quit eating. With that being said, I personally feel that if you have proper restriction it is almost impossible to fail with the band. I don't always make great choices, I still eat cheetos and chips and dip. But you know what, even when I do, I still lose because my band does not let me get out of control with the quantity that I eat. It is normal to be nervous before having surgery. But with the band, the risks of not having it probably far outweigh the risks of having it. I think you are making a wise choice. Please check out the stickies at the top of each forum. They have a wealth of information that you will find very helpful as you begin this journey. And, of course, do not hesitate to ask for help and advice. We are all here to support one another.

Thank you! Yea, sadly they won’t lol My calorie intake eating as I would say like a beast protein after protein yesterday was about 600. Thankfully, I realized where I was gaining all the weight gain, it was from alcohol, I could drink a bottle of wine like it’s no ones business as I cleaned my home. So I quit the fun drinking and now am just focusing on fueling my body with what it needs

Texas---In 2003 Gov. Perry pushed through most of a 6% biennial cut in the Medicaid budget ($1.5 billion, counting in lost federal matching funds). The state has barebones eligibility coverage to begin with: Only SSI recipients, nursing home and home and community-based waiver cases under $1656 monthly, parents under 133% of the TANF level and children under 200% of poverty are covered; and only parents and children whose original incomes are too high—but not childless disabled or aged---can spend down to get Medicaid. On June 2, 2003, the legislature enacted the Governor’s budget to ---among other cuts--- eliminate CHIP coverage of prostheses, physical therapy and private duty nursing; tighten CHIP asset eligibility rules; impose $10 to $20 copays for CHIP doctor visits and prescriptions; raise CHIP enrollment premiums to prohibitive levels; count income for CHIP more strictly; impose a 90 day waiting period for newly-eligible CHIP patients; reduce Medicaid home health coverage for the aged and disabled; end the Medicaid medically needy spend down for families and children (the childless aged and disabled never could spend down in Texas); reduce the pregnant women’s Medicaid income level enough to drop 8,300 women monthly; and terminate Medicaid coverage of eyeglasses, hearing aids, chiropractic services, podiatry and some mental health care for adults. Even though all this caused over 100,000 children to lose health coverage by January, 2004, in March the Medicaid agency proposed additional cuts, including limits of $5,000 for liquid assets and $15,000 for a car’s value (with 2nd cars worth up to about $4600 allowed) for CHIP. By March 28, 2004, premiums for over 25,000 of the remaining 325,000 CHIP patients were late and the state threatened to remove them from the rolls. In June, 2004, a federal judge permanently enjoined enforcement of the state’s so-called “personal responsibility” law that denied Medicaid to parents who abuse drugs or alcohol or whose children are truant or miss immunizations or medical or dental checkups. About the same time, news reports said that Texas CHIP had, in the first quarter, already consumed two-thirds of its annual drug budget, even with the cutbacks, and the Health and Human Services Commissioner conceded that Medicaid and CHP still faced a $575 million annual shortfall. At the same time the state health department proposed raising the pregnant women’s Medicaid level back up to 185% from 158%, which would cover at least 8,000 more women monthly. In August, 2004, Governor Perry said he’d consider a delay in dropping children whose parents have become delinquent in paying newly-imposed or -raised premiums from S-CHIP. Source: State Medicaid Eligibility Cutbacks & Exclusions-Proposed & Recently-Enacted, 2001-04* By Thomas P. McCormack [draft # 19 August 13, 2004; please discard any earlier version] * State eligibility policy decisions listed are for Medicaid optional coverage groups or liberalized rules authorized by Sections 1902(a)(10), 1902®(2), 1905, 1931 and 1115 (including coverage expansion, HIFA and Pharmacy Plus waivers); for the State Children’s’ Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and its waivers authorized under title XXI; and for state-funds-only pharmacy, medical assistance, health and health insurance subsidy programs.

Hi everyone. So far, so good...3+ months out and just over 48 lbs lost. I feel great and am exercising nearly every day. My question is - I chew a lot of sugar free gum. I also have been having problems with my stomach for the last two weeks or so. I saw where someone else called it "unconstipation". That is a very good way to describe what happens to me. It's several times a day, very nasty and somewhat painful. It just occurred to me in the last few days that it could be from the gum. I've always been sensitive to the sugar alcohol in SF candy, etc., but never really thought about the gum. Is it possible? Any opinions? Thanks! Stephanie

They are a sort of artificial form of sugar. They are similar to sucrose, but with an -OH group added to the end (an alcohol group).. This makes them taste similar to sugar but our bodies don't absorb/digest them, really.. so they pretty much go right through you! Unfortunately, this creates some interesting side effects in the bathroom, such as diarrhea, bloating, and major gas issues. You find them in a lot of "low-carb" candy bars or proteins shakes.

try to do a half hour of cardio a day,walking,just a half an hour,before or after wk,it will boost ur metabolism,despite the alcohol & make u feel so much better.u can do this.like u said,u didnt go thru all of this to not eventually get healthier & dwn to ur goal.keep networking for a new job.u have got to force yourself to get out or it will only get worse.u can do this.

Also I heard briefly you can never have Motrin again? Ever. What pain killers are allowed after surgery

I'm going in on July 1st too!! One week from today!! I'm 3 days into my required 10 day liquid diet; feeling a little bit in a "fog", but not as hungry or cranky as I expected to be. I had a couple "food funerals", but didn't go overboard with quantities when I did. I gave up caffeine, alcohol, and carbonation just a couple weeks ago, and have been cutting back on sugar but didn't fully cut it until I started the pre-surgery diet. Good luck to you! I'm feeling very nervous and hopeful too.

I so get this! Yes, Mexican food is the same for me...and alcohol..not like I drink a lot, but it has been a part of the 'kids are out of the house'..let's go to a winery, etc. type thing.. Basically what you said. Um, after hearing about your experience with trying Saki, while i hadn't planned on trying anything alcoholic under 6 months (I'd love to tell all of you that I'll wait until I have a year under my belt but I don't feel the internal conviction on that point yet)....I definitely will keep your story in mind if I start thinking about it. I DO NOT want to crave anything if i can help it, but especially NOT CARBS

Since surgery I'm not an everyday pooper anymore. I go every other day now. I found this on another site and thought it might help you out... Constipation (con-stuh-PAY-shun) means that a person has three bowel movements or fewer in a week. The stool is hard and dry. Sometimes it is painful to pass. You may feel "draggy" and full. Some people think they should have a bowel movement every day. That is not really true. There is no "right" number of bowel movements. Each person's body finds its own normal number of bowel movements. It depends on the food you eat, how much you exercise, and other things. Try eatting High-Fiber Foods like: Apples Peaches Raspberries Tangerines Acorn squash Broccoli, raw Brussels sprouts Cabbage Carrots, raw Cauliflower, raw Spinach Zucchini Black-eyed peas Kidney beans Lima beans Whole-grain cereal, hot (oatmeal, Wheatena) Drink plenty of water and other liquids such as fruit and vegetable juices and clear soup. Liquid helps keep the stool soft and easy to pass, so it's important to drink enough fluids. Try not to drink liquids with caffeine or alcohol in them. Caffeine and alcohol tend to dry out your system. Get enough exercise. Doctors are not sure why, but regular exercise helps your system stay active and healthy. You don't need to become a great athlete. A 20- to 30-minute walk every day should do the trick.

I love the quotes. My son is suffering with depression and alcohol abuse and has recently decided to seek help. I sent him these quotes as they are relevant to so many life decisions. Thank you for sharing.

Hi, My name is Julie and I'm an alcoholic in recovery. I was banded 3 years ago June. When I got sober in January I had some fill taken out. I have gained 30 lbs. The folks I have talked to in AA say that is quite common as we intake more sugar. I was sober 4 months and in May relapsed. It's been a struggle and I keep going in and out of the rooms of AA hoping to finally get it. Can you please share your story of recovery with me. I know cross-addiction is very common and when we don't have food to comfort us we can sometimes go into other areas of addiction. I don't want those people to answer me like "get a f* clue don't drink". I live in a world that is filled with both joy and isolation at the same time. AA friends always welcome me back no matter what. I would love to hear more from you...God Bless.

No not at all. Cooking with wine is perfectly acceptable. There will be an increase in calories, but you are cooking out the alcohol. There will be an increase in sugars as the sauce reduces, so go really easy on it. But you should be fine for the most part.

I had my RNY Gastric Bypass on November 14, 2016 and lost most of my weight in the first 9 months. I started this journey at a maximum weight of 360 pounds, and on my day of surgery, weighed 334 pounds and am down to 234 pounds. When I was released from the hospital after my Gastric Bypass, I wasn't sent home with instructions to stay on any PPIs or antacids, so since I was feeling great, I stopped taking my daily regimen of Pepcid. In February earlier this year (2017), I had a perforated intestine that nearly killed me (became septic) and was hospitalized for nearly a week after they repaired the hole in my intestines (near the pouch). I went through another treatment for H. Pylori and was on strong oral antibiotics for 6 weeks, and then have been continuing 20mg of Prilosec every day (have recently started weening myself off of it). In mid-April, I became severely constipated and impacted and was back in the hospital with a diagnosis of Prostatitis. Since then, I have suffered from chronic constipation and have had solid plateaus for several months at a time. I am posting my story because I am trying to see if anyone else out there has gone through anything similar, and I would like to understand if anyone lost more weight after their first surgical anniversary? I am having a Resting Metabolic Rate test tomorrow morning, so I am trying to figure out why I'm not losing more weight, but thought I would post and see if there is any hope. I am taking Probiotics (Culturelle), multi-vitamins, Calcium/D3 chews, and get all my Protein and Water in every day. I also exercise at least 2-3x per week. To get by, I wind up taking milk of magnesia roughly every other day...I only recently stopped taking Stool Softeners...I had been taking a Stool Softener (2x at night, every night for months). Ironically, I notice things move more easily on their own when I drink a glass of red wine after dinner, but don't want to depend on alcohol to help me go. So, I'm posting because of 2 things: the constipation and the amount of weight loss (the length of time, the plateaus, etc). I am hopeful that as I reduce the Prilosec that things will get better as my body starts producing more acid. Keeping my fingers crossed. Any thoughts?

Different drinks make me feel differently when I have them. A cold coffee or a drink like milkshake or something thick ( ie Protein shake) I am full for a while. Water, I use to help curb my cravings ( ie sweets) like the person said above because we can't eat until 30 minutes after drinking, when I am craving something or think I am hungry I drink water and wait to see how I feel. This really helps with my sweet tooth. Carbonated drinks, help me when I am head hungry. The carbonation makes me feel full and bloated and then I have no desire to eat. Alcoholic drinks, don't make me feel hungry or full but do cause me to graze while eating ( Koreans serve food and drink together, maybe why they can drink so much)

Welcome Anitalynn!! I am new as well, and have decided that the band is definitely for me. I have gotten tons of info from LBT....good & bad...that has helped me come to this decision. That is in addition to prayers asking for guidance. Alexandra - I love what you have to say. This is a reality check and you help put eating into perspective, especially for us newbies. Your experience and advice gives me great inspiration....THANKS! I went on the Optifast program last year and lost over 30 lbs in 3 mos doing the first phase which basically liquids (this was a physician controlled program). The most important thing I took away from this program is that I AM "addicted" to food just like a alcoholic or a drug addict. I use food for reasons other than to sustain my body. I also asked the question as to why should I get the band when I know I can lose weight by eating right and exercising, which I need to do in order for the band to be successful. WELL, I've learned from many experiences here at LBT that the band is not what makes weightloss successful, it's the person and the band is only a "tool" (heard that many times here) to be used. I look for the band to do just what Alexandra said. For me personally, I intend to read Dr Phil's book, The Ultimate Weight Solution, and take a deep look into the reasons I eat emotionally. This emotional need will still be there with or without the band and I need to come up with other ways of dealing with the stresses that lead me to eat. I look at the band as a tool that will help keep me honest in my food choices so I can work on those other issues. Keep researching and getting feedback so you can make a decision that is best suited for you. I can't wait to get my band, but I don't think it is for everyone. Best of luck regardless of which direction you go....hope we all get the chance to know you better. :clock: