Yeah, those head hunger cravings don’t go away just because we had surgery. For me it’s not salty crunchy but sweet. There really is no easy answer except making healthy choices. I find that distracting myself with other things helps. If that doesn’t help, then I allow myself a specific measured amount of what I want. I don’t think total deprivation is the answer because it makes me crave something more. What is more important is dealing with the stress in other ways than eating. I find that when I eat because I’m stressed that I end up feeling worse. Stress itself is a huge contributor to weight because of the hormones and such. The physiology of the stress cycle truly messes with the body. Eating because we are stressed and then feeling bad about it only adds to the nasty stress cycle. We have to keep coming back to the underlying causes of the stress and figure out what we want and focus on that, rather than focusing on what we don’t want. Sometimes we just need to step back and re-evaluate where we are and what we want. And then go after it. At least this is what works for me. It really is about the head!

I am so thankful of your post I was starting to think I was the only one. I had my surgery in 2013 I lost 110 pounds I gain back 30. I am so frustrated and disappointed in myself. I gained it all back in my stomach and little in thighs. I am trying everything and nothing seems to get this weight off. When I first started trying to get the weight off I lost 10 pounds now the weight is not moving and I am doing the same thing I did to loss the 1st ten. I will admit I don't exercise as much as I should I work 2 jobs and it hard trying to find time to sleep let alone workout. So I know that I have to be very careful of what I eat and how much and how often I eat since I don't workout every day. I can also relate to the eating my stomach will stay your not hungry my head will stay its been you haven't eaten all day you need to eat. Then when I do eat I eat a lot because I didn't eat all day in my head it makes sense in my jeans it don't. Thanks for letting me get this out and please keep me updated how you doing it great to know I am not crazy! It's someone else who feels like I do. Martina

I think that you can gain back 10 percent of your weight after the surgery. I have gained weight because I am eating more and drinking more. So the reasons for eating and drinking are going to be there until I unearth them and deal with them. I did not think I was ever going to gain back weight. I did not weigh myself for several months bc I wanted to eat when I was hungry or learn to eat only when hungry.. we I have gained 30 of the 115 pounds I have lost. On the other hand to you feel comfortable at your weight? or we just being slaves to the scale? I know my rolls are coming over the jeans so I am not comfortable and weight myself and took my measurements today. Day by day until feel comfortable which we see what the number turns out to be.

Never give up. You went through a major surgical procedure to give you a great tool to help you become the person you want to be. Just remember, food is fuel, not a crutch. Get therapy, take a walk, bike, volunteer and find what makes you happy. Stress will never leave, but how you choose to deal with it, is up to you. Don't let it win. Life is hard, unfair and short...you have to make your own happiness. We are all in this together, and I'm pulling for you.