Can't feed the food addition... Now what?

[swizzle 120]

So I'm 3 weeks out from GBP RNY and I'm physically feeling great. I can get all my liquids and Proteins no problem, I'm incorporating the pureed foods in just fine. I'm getting a lot of walking in, have even tried a little tennis (although I don't know if I'm quite ready for that yet). But overall I feel physically good.

The problem is my fat girl brain. I'm just starting to realize what people mean when they say they miss their addiction... In a way I've lost my only coping mechanism and my best friend: food.

I'm feeling a little depressed and almost don't even want to bother with making pureed meals because "why bother?" I can only have a few tablespoons, and food even tastes bad now. And I'm never hungry. And for whatever reason, I just can't get myself to feel better. My smart brain knows this to be nonsensical. But my fat girl brain misses that feeling of satisfaction, of feeding the addiction, and for the first time ever I don't have the ability to shut her up with delicious ice cream or mac & cheese. This is so not me. I'm positive and happy and generally just have my head screwed on straight.

That's all. Random rant.

I probably just need more exercise and to be patient.

Edited April 4, 2016 by swizzle

[kaitlynm 335]

Just hang in there, this is the worst time during the surgery process. Soon you will have many more food choices and even though they are much healthier than what you were eating, they will give you more satisfaction. Your hormones are kicked into high gear right now because of loosing weight, this will get better in time as well. Trust me you will get hungry again and you will start feeling much better. It takes a good three months to get through a lot of these emotions and it will go quicker than you can imagine.

[numeby2017 88]

@"swizzle" thanks for posting I am 1 week post op and al ready feeling that way being around the smell of food I used to love. My head nose and tastebuds want it, but my tummy no way which is good, but makes me worry that this is going to be a long process. I now I can do it, just have to hang in there. I feel you.

Edited April 5, 2016 by numeby2017

[Tssiemer1 549]

Start journaling

Go for a walk when you feel bad

Start a blog

Join a support group

Read a book

Meditate

Snap a rubber band

Do things to distract your addiction

[James Marusek 5,244]

Swizzle you gave a very good description of "head hunger".

I am 35 months post-op RNY and things will get better. Two points to make. First, we have a natural need to chew, it is part of our digestive process. So part of what you may be missing is chewing. Second, I found out that mixing food groups together seems to restore taste. Therefore once you transition to solids, I would recommend consuming high Protein chili and Soups. They go down a lot easier and actual have tastes.

[swizzle 120]

Thanks for all the good feedback, guys!! It's a new day and I feel immeasurably better! I think this is just going to be a struggle and I have to think of ways to break the "head hunger"! And yes, once I'm on regular foods again it will probably be a lot better! Honestly I'm just craving a beautiful delicious strawberry right now!

[LisaMergs 2,854]

Glad to hear you're feeling better! I'm kind of the opposite- having just started into the purée and soft food stage, after weeks prior to and after surgery, it is like I'm

Rediscovering tastes. Today had tuna mixed with cottage cheese awesome seasonings and 1 tbl of scalloped potatoes. Blended most of the chunks out, heated it and it was like having a tuna melt! At dinner I had some homemade pulled pork ( no bbq sauce) with cottage cheese and frozen spinach and more seasonings. Mixed, blended, heated- yum! Try and get creative. I'm allowed 1/2 c food per meal. That is 8 tablespoons. Add different things to it to make something that explodes in your mouth! Good luck!

[sallo 56]

I felt exactly the same. I'm almost 8 weeks out and it is getting better.