Re: Question of Post -Op head hunger

November 3, 2001

Dear Polly,

Post-op, my " comfort " eating has not changed at all. The only thing

that did change is that I eat smaller amounts and I don't absorb all

the calories that I consume. I still " pick " , graze, nibble and eat

when I am not hungry. Surgery does not " cure " the head. I still

enjoy sweets as much as a post-op as I did pre-op. I never lost

my " taste " for anything after surgery. Alot of post-ops report losing

their taste for high sugar/fat foods, I never did. I enjoy my food

MORE now because I do not have anymore guilt when I eat. My 3 month

labs were great because I make sure that I eat alot of protein

everyday and take my vitamins religiously so overall my nutritional

needs are being met.

If my weight loss was unsatisfactory, I may have had to seek

counseling to help with my constant eating. I don't consider it a

problem in my case because at 6 months post-op I have already lost

75% of my excess weight in spite of my less than " perfect " post-op

eating habits. I would still like to lose another 25 lbs. (and so

far I have not been on any major plateaus) but, if I don't lose

another pound at this point, I am considered average sized (I wear a

size 10 comfortably) and I am very happy with how I look and feel.

I did expect to come through surgery not caring about food so much

but, I am still just as passionate about eating. YMMV. Good luck as

you start your journey to a new and healthier life.

Jane J. 38 yrs. old

230/155 (-75 lbs)

Lap BPD/DS

4/26/01

---

> if the doctor addresses the comfort eating issues. Has the surgery

stopped this ? Polly>

November 3, 2001

Polly,

I too have been a life-long " comfort eater " especially when paired with a

good book AND TV. (Bet you've figured out that I'm the quintessential couch

potato!) All that seems to have changed post-op. I eat my three meals a day,

sometimes with a snack. I don't seem to NEED food anymore. In fact I have to

MAKE myself eat because I know I have to for my health! I'm finally eating

to live, not living to eat. Maybe it's because I'm happier with myself now.

Maybe because I have the energy to do more and therefore don't spend the

time wondering " what can I eat now? " Maybe it's the time I spend at this

website which keeps me out of the kitchen. All I know is I DON'T FEEL

DEPRIVED! In fact, I'm eating a more varied, richer and interesting diet

than I did pre-op. In fact, I've started cooking again! I wish the same for

you. Good luck on you journey.

Marcia

Question of Post -Op " head hunger "

In talking with my mother she asked if the doctor addresses the comfort

eating issues. Has the surgery stopped this [Non-text portions of this

message have been removed]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

November 3, 2001

In a message dated 11/3/01 4:21:51 AM Pacific Standard Time,

thelecomte3@... writes:

> In talking with my mother she asked if the doctor addresses the comfort

> eating issues. Has the surgery stopped this ? I am a lifer in being

> overweight, I asked my mother what at such an early age happened to me that

> I

> was eating for comfort. As I was always an overweight child. She had no

> answer to my question. I wonder about losing my " best friend " , although

> food

> is a love hate relationship. I gave up smoking, 4 years ago, so I know I

> can

> do without bad habits. Just looking for some input to fight off mom!

> Thanks

> Polly

>

I ate for comfort also ...but to be honest I dont seem to have a problem that

way now. I was prepared to do battle...but I've been so busy with my NEW

life...doing all the things I couldnt or didn't want to before that I find I

no longer have much time just sitting around. Physically I couldnt eat much

anyway...but I'm happy to see its not the huge problem I thought it would be.

~*~ AJ ~*~

Bellingham, WA

Age 37 5'8'' Open DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs!

09/24/01 BMI 55.8 367.1 -48.0 lbs! -37.75 inches

10/24/01 BMI 52.6 346.0 -69.1 lbs! -50.0 inches

10/29/01 BMI 51.8 341.5 -73.6 lbs! -58.0 inches

My profile:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=E982002956

My website:

www.wls4aj.homestead.com

November 3, 2001

In a message dated 11/3/01 8:49:26 PM Eastern Standard Time,

nsyncmom2001@... writes:

<< Not a day goes by that I don't battle with head hunger. I quit smoking

when I had my surgery and I don't struggle nearly as much with that as I

do with the eating issues. I keep telling myself it's time to seek

therapy, but I haven't made the move yet. I find myself grazing on cereal

just so I can enjoy chewing...the mental part is really tough. >>

Hi, I don't know how long ago you quit smoking, but I had extremely extreme

desire for eating pretty constantly after I quit smoking, for about 7 or 8

months. After that it was noticably reduced, to before I quit. So maybe this

could be the problem, and it will hopefully go away? I hope so.

Sheryl

November 3, 2001

Not a day goes by that I don't battle with head hunger. I quit smoking

when I had my surgery and I don't struggle nearly as much with that as I

do with the eating issues. I keep telling myself it's time to seek

therapy, but I haven't made the move yet. I find myself grazing on cereal

just so I can enjoy chewing...the mental part is really tough.

--- thelecomte3@... wrote:

> In talking with my mother she asked if the doctor addresses the

> comfort

> eating issues. Has the surgery stopped this ? I am a lifer in being

> overweight, I asked my mother what at such an early age happened to me

> that I

> was eating for comfort. As I was always an overweight child. She had no

> answer to my question. I wonder about losing my " best friend " , although

> food

> is a love hate relationship. I gave up smoking, 4 years ago, so I know I

> can

> do without bad habits. Just looking for some input to fight off mom!

> Thanks

> Polly

>

November 3, 2001

Jane,

You have just perfectly explained my post-op experience to date...Other than the

size of the portions I pretty much eat the same. The only thing I worry about

now is eating protein..I have found though that anything high in carbs gives me

incredible gas so I stay away from bread and pasta. As far as ice-cream is

concerned I eat some less often than pre-op but I will admit to indulging 2-3

times a month...Sometimes I forget I had surgery and wonder how I have managed

to lose weight...I have come to the conclusion that as long as I get to my goal

I am not gonna stress to much....Congratulations on your loss Jane you are doing

great!

Lisbeth

June 25, 2001

254-->195

Jane wrote: Dear Polly,