Struggling with head hunger or something...

 So, I am 6 days post op and on Full liquids. I am following all of my rules, but I'm telling you I feel like I could eat a horse. I have been sipping my liquids and then every few hours do 2 ounces of something like soup, pudding with protein, or a protein shake. I do not feel satieted, the first couple of days my stomach felt FULL and I had no hunger or desire to eat anything. Now, all of a sudden I am obsessed with food.  I'm going to seem like a complete nut job telling you this but I have been watching the food network, youtube videos about food, and googling about food non-stop. I don't have any sensation that I need to stop eating, but I do always stop after 2 ounces no matter what.  I know that I need to up my protein intake and that's part of the problem (I hate every shake I was drinking during pre-op, and am on the hunt for something I actually like, but that's a whole other post.) I wasn't even this obsessed about food on my pre-op diet! Anyways, it's just weird, my brain looks at a burger commercial and tells me I could eat the whole thing in 2 minutes, but I know I can't do that. Anyway, it's just a bit of a battle right now and I need to just push through, I just hope this gets easier once I can eat real food. I know this surgery was on my stomach and not my brain, but the person who comes up with the brain surgery to go along with it will be my new best friend, just sayin'!!! 

Hi MaryContrary:

I don't think you are a nut job because if you are, I am too.  I was sleeved on August 13th.  I notice that I spend a lot a time watching food tv.  I am not actually hungry, but I am craving salt and something to crunch on.  I am on soft foods and will move the solid food this Thursday.  I am hoping this will make a difference.  I am sticking to the plan, but my head is really playing mind games with me.

are youtaking a PPI? acid can mimick hunger. also sometimes we think we are hungry when we are dehydrated. Are you getting 64+ ounces of liquida day?

Thanks guys! At least I'm not alone I guess!

I'm not getting 64 ounces yet, but getting closer everyday. I am averaging high 50s though, and I feel like I'm sipping something all day long. I am on a PPI for at least a month, maybe longer if needed so I don't think it's that unless for some reason I need a higher dose. I just wish I could shake this obsession! Thanks for the help! 

Consider yourself lucky.  The fact that you're able to get everything down means that your stomach isn't swollen any more.  Liquids move right through you and you will NOT feel restriction on them.  For the first few weeks after surgery, I would have sworn that my doc didn't do a thing but punch a few holes in my abdomen for show.  Even purees will slide through pretty quickly.  You will feel it when you hit real food.

In the meantime, take your PPI or acid reducer (just in case you're having some acid issues) and keep right on drinking.  The first few weeks really suck, but it'll get better.

 Thank you!!! That's exactly what I've been feeling!! I even said to my hubby, maybe they just pretended to cut my stomach and this is some study and I got the placebo, because my stomach feels completely normal right now and it wants food in it! 

I think this is pretty common,   I am  5 days post op and not hungry at all but all I do is think about food I hate this liquid diet .     I am like you watching the food network , man vs food what ever channel shows food.   I miss food.  lol     

 I have actual REAL physical hunger. It happens when I haven't eaten in a while, despite getting my liquids and being on a PPI. It's really starting to worry me, actually. So, this thread is a little reassuring. Everyone said I wouldn't be hungry anymore, and it's just NOT true. I start soft foods tomorrow, and I'm hoping that I'll be more satisfied when I can eat that stuff.

Hi! Fellow nut job here... I am constantly being attacked by my head hunger. I obsess daily about food. I want any and everything I can find.. I hope this gets easier but I get sad if I think I can't have a pizza breadstick again.. Dang I am a food addict! I am hoping you get that better under control better than I have. I know if that brain surgery happens I am in!!!

I went through that and my unsolicited advice is to get it under control as soon as you can. it's part of the panic of losing food that made me want to eat,think about eating. The idea of restriction scared  me.I wante what I couldn't/shouldn't have.