Struggling With Hunger

[LALH62 1]

I am a year out and as the time goes on I get hungry more often. I am feeling more like I did prior to surgery. I envy those people who are never hungry...wish that could have been me. I am sure some of it is head hunger, and that is the hardest to control! They are the times I crave carbs! I had thought about seeing a counseler to find out why I have an addiction to food, and maybe then I would have a better understanding and make it easier when those craving start. The surgeon fixed my stomach for eating, but unfortunately he did not fix my mind....and that is the main reason I got to where I was in the beginning. Does anyone have any helpful hints or have the same problem as me? I know will power and me controlling the situation is the answer, but I did this surgery to have help, since I am not as disciplined as I should be. I just want the hunger to go away!!!!!!! TIA~Linda

[LaBelle509 326]

I do worry about that! and I REFUSE to go back on my old habits!!! I see the damage that I caused. I know I have a strong addiction to food. Like you said once I realized that, I did seek out the help of a therapist. My health insurance do cover family therapist. So I signed up with one. You will benefit from it. I benefit so much from my session. I learned how to manage my stress, how to cope, how to "see" food differently.

So yes, I do encourage you to find a therapist. It will help you stay on course.

We can beat this!!!!

[LALH62 1]

Thanks LaBelle...nice to know the therapy helps and I definitely will check into it and make an appt.

[kshepa 77]

Why don't you try OA? Now, no one understands a food addiction better than another food addict. I have involved in OA for 9 years. I took off a lot of my weight before surgery. I weighed 392 when I started OA and 8 years later was down to 317, then decided to have surgery fully understanding that it's a tool not a cure. I am 5 months out and still a foodie!! But I have been going to my OA meetings and my program support groups weekly. I find a therapist is helpful too, but no one understands and validatesme more than another recovering food addict. It might not be for you, just sharing what works for me. Good Luck.

[4ALongerLife 329]

I would like to try OA but never got the guts to do it. I am a total food addict and I am only 7 months out. I worry too about this but I go to support groups whenever possible as well as a weekly group. I highly recommend counseling. Work on "mindful eating".. which I'm trying to do as well.... best of luck to you!

[delta_girl 931]

Last night and this morning I am hungry. I take PPIs 2x daily and I ate several small meals yesterday. Since I track my foods in MFP, it was not difficult to find the culprit.

Yesterday: 70 g carbs, 32 g Protein. It was just one of those off days where I wasn't paying attention to what I ate, though my calories were under 500.

[smallgirlsxthree 23]

I am 1 year out this month, and I've been catching myself wanting to eat all the time too!! Its like I'm starving all day long. I will freely admit that I haven't been following the best diet, not really bad just not very high Protein. But my head hunger is horrible too! Oh my gosh its nice to see someone else say it too!!! I'm getting very nervous about it because it all has seemed pretty easy up until now and it scares me to think I could ruin the success I've had.

I don't know about overeaters anonymous or support groups, but I'm going back to the beginning. I'm making myself follow the diet they gave me for my post op (high protein and several small meals) I have about 7 more pounds to lose to get to my goal so hopefully this will put me over that edge. If you figure anything out, please share it with me!! Good luck!

[delta_girl 931]

I was having a huge problem with this, too. When I switched my PPI it helped for about a week, maybe two before it was really not fixing the problem.

When I upped my exercise to longer (still less than one hour), more intense sessions, I noticed a big drop in my hunger for hours afterwards. I actually have to make myself eat something for supper. I have read that exercise is an appetite depressant, though I can't quote a source.

It gets on my nerves to drink Water, but I also notice that the more I drink, the less I have issues with sensations of hunger. I'm drinking more sugar free drink mixes now (I like the cheaper brand at Wal Mart).

[Livinglifeout 217]

I find myself getting hungry also, but than I eat more Protein and drink more and it helps.