Daily Challenge - Know Your Hunger Cues

Today's challenge is to identify your hunger cues.  This is a great challenge, because even as WLS patients, we need to learn to identify what is head hunger and what is real, true, hunger.   From what I have read, there seems to be a misconception that because your stomach is smaller that you will never feel hunger, and if you do it is all in your head.  Well, I have talked to my doctor, nutritionist, personal trainer who deals with bariatric patients, and other experts in the area of bariatrics, and of course, other patients who are farther out than I am.  All have said that yes, we will experience true hunger when our pouches are empty.  This usually starts to occur about 3 - 5 months out as the nerve endings return and such. HOWEVER.....our head hunger begins much earlier than the real, true, hunger and it is VERY important that we learn to identify which type of hunger we are experiencing.  For me, I do not get that growling feeling that I got before surgery, but there is a definate empty feeling that can be felt up towards my chest (hope that makes sense) and does not go away with drinking any fluids.  When I reach this point, it means that I am close to my blood sugar dropping and am usually cranky. So...how do you identify if you are truely hunger or if it is just head hunger???  For me...I start with the clock.  How long has it been since I last ate.  If it's been a few hours (2 - 3), then it could very well be true hunger.  However, if it's been less than 1 1/2 hours from a decent snack or meal (one that consisted of more than just a cheese stick), it's more likely to be head hunger. When was the last time I had something to drink?  Is it possible that I am thirsty?  Often times, I'm just thirsty.  Or even, just bored.  What am I doing...or not doing?  Many of us get more head hunger int he evening, simply because we are not doing anything bu****ching tv (and all of those Burger King commercials), or just sitting on our computers.  I know for myself, mindless snacking at night can be an issue if I'm not careful. Did I get enough sleep the night before?  From my own experience, I tend to crave lots of carbs, and want to snack,  when I am really tired. But, to ensure that we do not have problems with weight regain, we need to identify what type of hunger we have. The challenge I have provided goes a little bit more in dept than what I have provided here, so make sure that you check it out. Enjoy today's challenge..... http://kashi.com/articles/19

Great job! This is very interesting!  I didn't have hunger pangs where my stomach actually growled until I was 3 years post op.  I figured I'd stretched my stomach some and that is why I could hear it now.  Just my theory.  The first 3 year were great I never cared if I ate or not.  Not I'm fighting that demon again constantly.  But any way, thanks for sharing.

Not a problem...everyone is different and so are their pouches.  Like I said, i know for me...when I feel hunger (which mind you, feels VERY different today than it did pre-op) it means that it's too late.  I'm in the process of getting a headache, cranky, blood sugar is dropping, etc. But, that's interesting that you heard yours growl at three years out....hhhmmmm.......

Yeah my pouch is constantly changing it seems.... some days I can eat certain things and some days I can't.  I hate that feeling when it has been too long since I have eaten last... I get weak and shaky, then I get a panic feeling like I am going to faint.  It isn't good. It happened at work once and I worked at a hospital and they took me to the ER. SO embarrassing!