When Hunger Returns
Well, I am 11 months out from my surgery and I am really feeling great. I have lost 127 pounds ( 312 to 185 ). I was only doing cardio before and I started getting in to some longer distance running that I never could have done pre-surgery. I was running 3-5 miles a day, 6 days a week and I was eating extremely healthy. I actually got down to 175 pounds, but I did not like the way I looked. My face was looking very hollow and I had very little muscle tone in my upper body. In November I started a weight training routine that includes 3 days of weight training and 3 days of cardio. I have gained 10 pounds of muscle and I am very happy with the way I look now. Now the problem is hunger seems to have returned and my ability to eat more food as well. I have noticed my tendency to slip back in to old eating habits (especially at night). I will eat well all day and then feel the need to snack on something sweet at night. I am fairly well stabilized at 185, but I am working my butt off 6 days a week st stay here. I am afraid that at any time if I stop working out I will gain. My confidence is slipping and that scares me more than anything. I knew the hunger could return, but I had hoped it would have been longer. I am just looking for similar stories that hopefully are still success stories.
Hey Dwight!
Wow - you are singing my song!!
My hunger returned at about 8 months and I made the critical mistake of inviting too many carbs into my diet. As a result, the scale responded with a resounding, "Oh my God- what are you doing?!?!?!?!?!" And that was all the reigning in that I needed! I dropped those re-gained pounds, and while I would still like to lose a few more, I have maintained my initial weight loss for 2 years now. I try to diligently follow a meal and exercise plan and can immediately tell when I might be slipping.
Do I also struggle with the head issues.... self-doubt, body image, lack of confidence, etc? You bet I do! But I struggled with those before the surgery and knew that my Dr. wasn't fixing my head issues - that's my deal to handle. And I'm doing okay!
I think you are right where you need to be. You are extremely aware of what you need to do to keep things under control and instead of beating yourself up about the hunger returning, just acknowledge it and welcome it back into your life. It means you are normal!
Best of luck - you will do fine!
Hugs!
Kristi 
Hey Dwight, well I have you all beat, I experienced this at 5 months! This is my 5th month and I am at about an 80lb loss so far, I am doing great that way but things are upside down now! The 5th month I started feeling hungary between meals and at night (the big killer!) and would often feel so ravenous at times, I was sure I was going to screw this up royally! Naturally I panicked and made an appt. with my NP right away and she said this was completely normal and although this usually happens 6-7 months out, they have ways to prepare for the new phase and fix the hunger whether it be physical or head hunger! I learned to incorporate milk as an in between so calm hunger between Breakfast and Lunch then at night to scarf some protein like lunch meat or chesse before bed... this really helped me put things into persepective. She also talked to me about adding more fiber which would keep me fuller longer, volume and consistancy are the two key factors from here on out. We need denser foods to keep up satisfied until the next meal, soft foods aren't gonna cut it anymore! Also liquids begin to play a big part, especially after meals. No drinking a good 1-2 hours so the puch empties as slow as possible, this has really helped me gain control again. If all else fails and you have serious hunger she said there are things they do to work with that, "Fluid Loading" is one of them, which I have read alot about lately. You drink to your pouch's limit all in about 15-30 seconds BEFORE meals, to quench your thirst when your meal is finished. This distends your pouch, making you feel fuller, longer. I hope some of this has helped you, just know it's normal at this point because I am right where you are- it's just a matter of tweaking some things now that we're further out. Good Luck!
Hello, fluid loading is something I read about on here then was actaully given a hand out from my doctor yesterday about it. No it would not stretch your pouch because it is fluid and it is meant to distend your pouch and make you full.. this helps to take away your between meal hunger and qunech thirst so that you wont opt to drink right after your meal and flush the food away so quickly. The whole point now is to slow the emptying of your pouch after every meal, because we can eat more and feel hunger. Here's what my paper says....
"Fluid loading is the rapid drinking of a non-calorie or low-calorie liquid. Avoid high calorie liquids. This technique will help you avoid thirst after a meal and can be used to achieve immediate satiety or a feeling of fullness.
What does fluid loading do?
It is thought that by drinking a volume of liquid rapidly, the roux limb becomes distended. Contractions in the bowel stop the fluid from moving downwards and fluid is backed up into the pouch and the pouch becomes distended. Distention of the pouch results in a feeling of satisfaction, which is present, even once the fluid has left the pouch." Hope this helps! I am sure you could find more if you google it!
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