Go away head hunger?

[mrstkgreene 48]

I had surgery on 9/22...

Well Im not really hungry but boy as we drive by these restaurants I am getting hungry...

Anyone have any tips?

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[*susan* 1,709]

Like you said in your title, it is more head hunger than physical hunger. Keep reminding yourself why you had this surgery to begin with, to be healthier. You cannot do that if you succumb to head hunger, especially at only two days out! Try and distract yourself, read a book, watch a movie. If you are in the car, maybe play a game of "I spy" with someone else in the vehicle with you, anything to get your mind off of food.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

I found right after surgery, I thought about food but there was a complete disconnect between my brain and my body, so it was just a passing thought.

I would just drink Water or a Protein shake and that bit of discomfort I had in the beginning took my mind off of it. I was pretty terrified of ripping my staples open, especially since I live and work alone.

[heidikat72 935]

Like you said - it's head hunger not actual hunger. Keep reminding yourself of that. You didn't go through major surgery just to continue to eat the same. When the head hunger hits - do something to take your mind off it - in the early weeks (and even now if a craving hits) I knitted, used adult coloring books or other crafts. If your hands are busy and your brain is focused on something else you won't be eating. Or even go for a walk - being physically active is important and does a great job of switching off the head hunger.

[mrstkgreene 48]

Like you said - it's head hunger not actual hunger. Keep reminding yourself of that. You didn't go through major surgery just to continue to eat the same. When the head hunger hits - do something to take your mind off it - in the early weeks (and even now if a craving hits) I knitted, used adult coloring books or other crafts. If your hands are busy and your brain is focused on something else you won't be eating. Or even go for a walk - being physically active is important and does a great job of switching off the head hunger.

I would love to do something different. But seeing as I had surgery 3 days ago. Walking still hurts. I love to color and use to do it a lot, but I have carpal so I have to take it easy. Tv I can handle until they start eating. I have a kindle, maybe I can find me a new book or something to read. I just sent my hubby to the store to get some special k Protein shakes! So I am gonna try a little sip of one of those. Just something different I guess.

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[heidikat72 935]

If you are in enough pain that you can't walk, they probably shouldn't have released you from the hospital. I was up walking a few hours after surgery - not far and very slowly - and yes it was uncomfortable getting to a standing position and sitting back down but as long as you take it easy you need to walk in order to prevent blood clots. I would hold a pillow against my main incision when standing up and sitting down - the gentle pressure helped.

Sorry about the carpal tunnel but definitely find things to occupy your brain - reading a book is a good idea. TV is full of food commercials and I imagine like a lot of us - mindless snacking while watching tv was probably a norm.

[heidikat72 935]

Special K shakes have a lot of carbs - they have more grams of carbs than protein!

My guidelines for a shake were at least 20grams of Protein and less than 12 grams of carbs

[The Candidate 3,215]

The first month or so is the time when cravings and head hunger are at their peak. I remember I had to fast forward whenever fast food commercials aired. My body wasn't a fan of how quickly I was losing weight so it brought out the big guns, heightening my sense of smell, sight and taste. I was the human equivalent of Pavlov's dog, all but salivating over my trigger foods (pizza, Big Macs and so on, even though I knew inside I wasn't actually hungry. Instead I had been conditioned, after decades of eating anything and everything I wanted.

It was hard sometimes, I'll admit, but I made it without succumbing once. Then I discovered after awhile that those cravings and head hunger began to lessen, loosening their power over me. And now at 14 months out, they aren't even noticeable anymore.

Hang in there and stay strong because there is light at the end of the WLS tunnel.

[mrstkgreene 48]

If you are in enough pain that you can't walk, they probably shouldn't have released you from the hospital. I was up walking a few hours after surgery - not far and very slowly - and yes it was uncomfortable getting to a standing position and sitting back down but as long as you take it easy you need to walk in order to prevent blood clots. I would hold a pillow against my main incision when standing up and sitting down - the gentle pressure helped.

Sorry about the carpal tunnel but definitely find things to occupy your brain - reading a book is a good idea. TV is full of food commercials and I imagine like a lot of us - mindless snacking while watching tv was probably a norm.

No no I'm not in that much pain. I was up walking the day of surgery too. Went to a store with my husband earlier, but like getting up and going outside for a walk right now, brings pain. I am just really sore. I was just released yesterday.

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