NOT DOING WELL

Well I am 2 1/2 years out and i've gained at least 20 pounds....I'm miserable...I'm hungry ALL THE TIME Period with ink...When I do eat my protein I get full pretty quick...I do not drink with it and just 30 minutes later EVERYTIME I am hungry again...I don't know what to do....I can eat about 8 inches of a footlong sub maybe 7 inches...I bet you my pouch has stretched....I desperately need an appetite suppressant just to get myself out of the habit of eating when i'm hungry..I have tried doing other things to forget i'm hungry nothing works..It just nags..I drink water..NOTHING.....My dietician at one time recommended one but I forgot what itwas because it was 70.00 a month but now i will pay it I don't want to talk to her right now because I'm ashamed...Can anyone help me? This is so much harder than I ever dreamed..It is not a permanant fix you are on your own after awhile.....This is all about head I think...I thought I had it covered i dont'...

I read this on the boards all the time - you should not be ashamed because that's going to stop you from seeking help. It happens and its common. Isn't it better if you can talk to the nutritionist and stop the weight gain at 20 lbs, instead of letting it go longer, blaming yourself and gaining MORE? I say, forgive yourself and get help. Talk to the nutritionist - she will give you motivation to get back on the wagon! I'm only going on a year out, but I know the same negative food behaviors are there and I'm struggling with this already myself. The sooner we face it, the more in control we are. Good luck - keep us posted.

Jennifer: I read your post, and thought maybe I had written it!! LOL Seriously though, I am in the same situation! The one thing I have found is since I am not doing good with my eating, it is essential that I exercise daily!!! I ride my bike 20 miles a day, at least 3 days a week, weight train 3x a week. I find it offsets the "damage" and keeps my weight under control some what. I am up 10-15 lbs from my lowest, and am also 2 1/2 years out. Try to snack on raw veggies, fruits, and protein. Maybe salads with FF dressing? They seem to fill me up for longer periods of time. Maybe add a protein shake during the "hungries" too? I know how hard it is now that we can consume larger portions, and less foods cause us problems. I will also take a day here and there, and try to just do protein shakes for the day, and always lots of water!! I can truly understand your frustration, as I often feel it too!! We just don't hear enough as preops about this stage of the game!! Just remember where you came from, and where you are now!! We have to keep up the work and support one another!! Good luck, hope you will find what works for you!! Hang in there!!! DeeAnn R

Its hard... just at a year out I fight the grazing battle.... My question to you is... has your Dr checked you for an ulcer?? I know with an ulcer you can get that gnawing sensation which feels like hunger but truely is not? My dr has put his patients on zantac or another over the counter one as his theory is, tis easier to prevent than to treat an ulcer. just a thought good luck Hugs Karen

Hi Jennifer! You're not alone, I'm struggling too (see my post a little further down re: The Hard Road Back From Regain). I've recently lost 11 pounds, and I have just 19 more to go to get back down to my original goal weight. I too get HUNGRY; not just head-hunger, but stomach-gnawing HUNGER. It sucks. So does dieting (which is what I'm doing now), and yes, I get hungry every day. I try to look at it as a temporary inconvenience. If I can hold out until my next meal or PLANNED, healthy snack, then the discomfort goes away. I gave so much money to the "diet industry" over the years that I REFUSE to buy appetite suppressants. You CAN do this! You CAN take back control without the "crutch" of those diet pills. It won't be easy, but it definitely is doable. Yours in friendship and support, Lelina 298 (pre-op)/132 (lowest)/175 (highest regain)/164 (current)/looking for 145 again!

When I hear people say WLS is the easy way out I just want to scream... cause it's not! I think I worry, plan, think about, contemplate choices and stress over food just as much, if not MORE, than I did before WLS. It is a daily, and often minute to minute, challenge to make the best choice on how to use the tool WLS gave me. And the dreaded regain is a monster that I battle every day. What helps me gain control is to remember where I came from (320+ lbs) and how much I NEVER, ever want to go back there. I get out the old fat pants and visually remind myself. And then recently I found this board where I can come for support from others who are in the same boat. Hang in there, you can take back control over hunger and the regain monster!!! Tracy A.

Jennifer, Look how far you have come. YOU CAN and WILL get back in control. For a while I thought I was the only on e who was having this battle. I am not glad that others are suffering, howewver I am glad I am not alone. I am not sure if that makes sense or not. I guess I am glad to come here and find out that others have fought the battle and won which means we can all fight the battle and win. Diet pills are the devil... lol... do not go that route. I have vowed to never ever pop another pill or buy another "guarantee" to weight loss. I have decided to to stand up and fight and take my life back and not let food control my life again as it once did. I am sending you as much positive energy as I can muster up. You WILL get past this. Maggie

((((((((((Jen)))))))))) I've missed seeing your beautiful face! Oh Hon, I'm in the same boat...hungry ALL of the time and battling baby weight gain and a little extra, too. Have you had an endoscopy to rule out an enlarged stoma? I don't have any wise words to impart...though, I would love to hear some......just know that you are not alone, Sweetheart. (((Hugs))) ~~Sherry

I am 28 months out and exactly where you are. Although I know alot of members won't agree, I am giving an appetite suppressant a chance. I just got it in the mail today and it is supposed to be the #1 rated pill. No funky stuff in it. If interested it is called Hoodia Gordanii Plus. It must say Plus for there are many versions. I will let you know if it helps.

Hi Jennifer, I agree with the previous people who have said now is not the time to avoid the surgeon/nutritionist's office. Every single day they have people in the office that are struggling, don't be ashamed to go and seek help. And appetite suppressants are not the answer. As for the subs, Subway will make a salad out of any 6" sub, this is a much better choice than a sub with bread. When I eat carby stuff I crave more and more. You said when you eat protein you get full quickly, that is the pouch working. So start with solid protein and then add veggies. Get the help you need, don't be embarrassed. We're behind you 100%!! Hugs, Connie -147#