Head hunger...

[Lisa73me]

Why am I so hungry all the time? My appetite never really went away, expect when i was having complications. I also think that having stent placement might have stretched my sleeve a little more than normal. I have gone to timing my eating. I have to wait 4 hours before I allow myself to eat again. I want to eat, even though I just ate. My stomach hurts a little because it's full and my brain says eat more. I don't of course (well, I give in sometimes), but my brain keeps telling me to graze. IDK, what to do... Any suggestions? I already know the regular ones, take a walk, read a book, ect. I'm just hoping after awhile I will get in the habit of not wanting to eat/graze all the time. I didn't even want to eat like this before my sleeve. Ugh! I'm trying to teach myself new habits and it sucks... BTW, I am a therapist, I know I need therapy, but I really do have a pretty good mental handle on this. I think it's something else.
Thanks

[RehabNurse]

For me, head hunger and appetite returned between the 8th and 9th month post-op.

After having eaten a full meal loaded with protein, I'll want to eat 90 minutes later even though I'm not physically hungry. The desire to eat without any true hunger is head hunger in the hedonistic sense.

Instead of forcing myself to wait an allotted time frame before eating again, I'll just eat a high-protein snack such as string cheese, cold cuts, nuts, or turkey pepperoni. This usually does the trick.

Adding more protein-filled snacks to satisfy my head hunger has not resulted in any weight regain, either. Therefore, it must be working for me. If worse comes to worst, I'll drink coffee to cut my appetite.

[Ann2]

I don't know what's going on, but ... are you eating a lot more sugar and processed carbs (with low fiber grams) than you used to eat?

If so, that can create cravings for the kinds of foods that are easy to graze on.

Just a thought.

[Pattimelt]

When I have Head hunger, which is EVERY night of my life, I enjoy a sugar free beverage. I also follow a low carb/keto plan of eating, which really helps with the cravings in general. I find that if I go over 50 grams of carbs, my hunger comes back. I guess I’m just really carb sensitive.

Remind yourself of how well you’ve done so far! If you really are hungry, have a protein snack, don’t reach for the carbs.

Hope you find what works for you!

[Ann2]

Another thought -- I'm 3 years and 2 months post-op. So going into Year Four now.

I decided this year to raise my daily vegetables and fruits up to the recommended daily 8 V/Fs. I know you can't eat that my V/Fs, since you're just a few months post-op. But just saying that in the past 6 weeks I have noticed a significant reduction in evening head hunger. My theory is that the extra fiber keeps my metabolic furnace burning longer (and blood sugar more stable) and, therefore, keeps my hunger at bay. Hey, it's a theory.

You might want to experiment with your menus by adding more high-fiber, low-calorie veggies to your meals. It might work for you.

Honestly, all this stuff is so specific to each person. But doing "science on a sample of one (yourself)" is pretty much the way to find out what will work best for you.

Best wishes!

[Lisa73me]

I don't know what's going on, but ... are you eating a lot more sugar and processed carbs (with low fiber grams) than you used to eat?

If so, that can create cravings for the kinds of foods that are easy to graze on.

Just a thought.

Nope, I’m low carb, but you’re right if I was eating carbs it would be a lot worse...

[Lisa73me]

When I have Head hunger, which is EVERY night of my life, I enjoy a sugar free beverage. I also follow a low carb/keto plan of eating, which really helps with the cravings in general. I find that if I go over 50 grams of carbs, my hunger comes back. I guess I’m just really carb sensitive.

Remind yourself of how well you’ve done so far! If you really are hungry, have a protein snack, don’t reach for the carbs.

Hope you find what works for you!

Thank you, I’m not really eating carbs, I eat pork skins, but I try not to eat too many of those. But if I open a bag, I’ll eat the whole thing. I eat a little halo top sometimes in the evening. What’s going on is, my brain says eat something, and then my stomach says but your full because you just ate 30 minutes ago. I’m definitely eating less than 30 to 40 carbs a day. I eat mostly meat, eggs, cheese, green leafy vegetables, salad, peppers, onions, tomatoes, rotisserie chicken, mashed cauliflower, low-carb TV dinners like Adkins. I drink coffee with sweetener and I use an Adkins French vanilla shake as creamer. I also drink two or three bottles of water with Crystal light type drinks in them. I do break down maybe once every two weeks and eat something I shouldn’t. They are horrible at my work and bring cupcakes and donuts. They also have a lot of potlucks, but I try to eat healthy when we have potlucks. Oh I forgot, I also allow myself one protein smoothie a week from either Jamba Juice or smoothie king. I always get the strawberry banana with the full fruit in it. But that’s really about all I eat. I try to make sure that I buy things that I can eat to satisfy my cravings like the halo top and pork skins. I also buy the smaller bag of pork skin so if I eat the whole thing it’s not as bad. Another thing that I just can’t seem to get used to is throwing away food. I think it’s such a waste to go to a restaurant and only eat a quarter of my plate. It doesn’t work if I take it with me either because Ill just keep waiting long enough to be able to eat more until it’s gone. I don’t go out to eat very much, and if I do I try to get a salad with chicken and ranch dressing. I will not eat crackers or croutons on my salad either. I really do try to eat as few carbs a day as I possibly can. Maybe I do need to go see a therapist, LOL!

[Lisa73me]

Another thought -- I'm 3 years and 2 months post-op. So going into Year Four now.

I decided this year to raise my daily vegetables and fruits up to the recommended daily 8 V/Fs. I know you can't eat that my V/Fs, since you're just a few months post-op. But just saying that in the past 6 weeks I have noticed a significant reduction in evening head hunger. My theory is that the extra fiber keeps my metabolic furnace burning longer (and blood sugar more stable) and, therefore, keeps my hunger at bay. Hey, it's a theory.

You might want to experiment with your menus by adding more high-fiber, low-calorie veggies to your meals. It might work for you.

Honestly, all this stuff is so specific to each person. But doing "science on a sample of one (yourself)" is pretty much the way to find out what will work best for you.

Best wishes!

I have wondered if I’m not getting something my body is craving. I do take a multivitamin every night, I may switch to Weight Watchers just for a little while. Maybe if I were open to eating whatever I wanted as long as it doesn’t make me gain weight, I might be able to do that and it might get rid of the hunger. IDK, it’s just a thought...

[Ann2]

Yeah.

Therapy.



I've been seeing a therapist since 3 months pre-op. Still see him. Every month. See him this Monday, as a matter of fact.

[Christie13]

I went through a period of always feeling hungry. I think maybe I wasn't eating enough when I was eating. I always took a small bite of an Atkins lift low carb protein bar or a piece of beef jerky. It helped me without throwing me off track. I definitely learned to listen to my body. I don't think there is one right way for this journey and what works for one person does not work for another. Look at the people who eat whatever they want and they lose weight and they poo poo the sleevers who say to focus on healthy eating. They eat junk and are fine. Then others who have to remain low carb or they won't lose at all. Some have to stay lower on the calorie side and others have to eat more just to maintain. So, you have to find out what works for you. There is no right or wrong answer.