NEED advice PLEASE No Flaming!!!

Im almost 13 mths post op and I've lost 125lbs. I'm VERY proud of myself and Pleased with the weight I'm at!!! I'm Now VERY Afraid of gaining weight back and I've been having a problem with very BAD PMS cravings!! About 7-10 days before my period is due, I eat like I did pre-op!! Not as much, but craving the sugar, cakes and pies, you name it I have an OVER WHELMING craving and I give in!! I try VErY hard to fight them off but I just can't!! Now before this 7-10 day time I don't have a problem staying on track, I do VERY well!!! I just don't know what to do about this 7-10 days I just can't seem to control myself!! My question is would it be ok to take an appetite suppressant during those PMS days to help control my appetite??? I'm so afraid of gaining my weight back and I honestly don't know what to do to fight off these cravings!! They are just sooo strong during this time!!! Please ANY advise is SOOOO much appreciated!!! Thanks ALOT, Lori 268/140/135

congrats on your loss!!! When I have cravings for sweets, wich is every week, I try to find a sugar free alternative. Russell Stovers has great sugar free chocolate. If its cakes or dessert you want most grocery stores carry no sugar added pies,cake, etc. Of course you don't want to get into the habit but this might help during those 7-10 days. Good luck!

sugar free substitutes for candies, cookies etc. have just as many and sometimes more calories. My indulgences are sf jello w./ cool whip, sf pudding made w/ skim milk, sf fudgecicles are only 40 cals each. It helps with the cravings with out driving my calorie count up. frozen grapes. berries eaten slowly one at a time. eat a lot of dense protein foods so you won't have much room for the treats. exercise during these times can be a distraction and help burn off calories at the same time. if cravings are bad a long walk gets me out of the house, thinking about something else and breaks the eating cycle. a yoga class or video helps focus on your body and it's real needs and can help you center yourself and feel good about yourself. feeling good about you and where you are is a big step to breaking the overeating cycle. Have you read "How Much Does your Soul Weigh?" by Dorie McCubbrey? phenominal book with great mental exercises to help you feel good about you and lose the eating disorder once and for all.

Thanks for the reminder. I bought that book and never finished it. I put it away for after school was over for the year. Looks like it is time for some soul searching.

Hi Lori! I know alot of us around here have the same struggle b4 that time of the month. It can get discouraging when you've done sooooo well all month and then those serious cravings kick in! I hate that feeling too. I also totally understand you're fear of gaining back the weight~this is my #1 fear too. Although I do have to say that it's a fear that helps to keep me motivated and on track. I weigh myself daily and if I see a pound or two creep on, I step the program back up! Kind of a checks and balances thing. If I have a strong craving I have to admit that I too use a sugar free substitute. I know the calories are still there, but I have not gone back to sugar and I have a fear of dumping so I won't even try it. I try to really limit the "junk", but there are occasions when I just have to have it. At those times I also make sure to get my exercise in and sometimes even exercise a little extra to try to counter act the calories. We can NOT be perfect all of the time. But, I think we if try our best and try to make the best possible decisions (even in those times of weakness), then we're on the right track. Hang in there! Tracy B 328/152 5'9"

Get out of the house and be busy. Just walk the mall if you must but stay away from any refridgerators. Leqave your money and cards at home. Go swimming. Hike. Bike. It's summer so there are many things you can do. Pick berries (they are good for you!) Volunteer somewhere. Those are my ideas. tee

My nutritionist recommended taking a B-6 supplement to help with cravings. You start it about 7 days prior to your period and continue taking it until it is over. I do it. It does seem to help me some. I helps me control myself better. I find I do still get some cravings but not as many. And the ones I do get I seem to be able to control. Melissa Lap Rny 1/15/04 277 to 135

Lori, Have you ever tried hypnosis? There are various CD's or mp3 downloads that you can buy to help with changing your mental challenges with fighting off cravings. www.hyptalk.com or www.wendi.com have lots of good programs available. Good luck....we all know its a life long battle......K

Heres my 2cents (and im almost 4yrs out)....never deny yourself, just do it in moderation! I eat some chocolate or sweets or some kind of dessert EVERY day! Its helps. I used to indulge around my period and it would be bad, so, for the past yr or more, Ive decided that I didnt have this surgery to be a "WLS" patient the rest of my life. I had this to be normal and put myself "on a level playing field" with everyone else. For example, its summer. Everyday I have a scoop of ice cream, a peice of cholocate, 1 cookie (ok, sometimes 2)...but, this way, I dont have cravings! Good Luck!

I really like and appreciate your attiude! yes, we can be normal. I can't let myself get caught in the "sick" mode that I am not normal and never will be. I was really doing that and found myself getting worse and worse and out of control and headed for a very serious eating disorder. and decided to seek therapy. and doing some reading esp. the book "how much does your soul weigh" gave me some new perspective. the more focus we place on "we are not normal" the less normal we will be. self fulfilling prophecy. no more victemization! take your power and run with it! have a great summer.!!!!