Long Term Grads, Do You Still Do This??

Hi everyone. Twice this week, I've overdone it a bit and have made myself miserable! A couple of days ago, my sugar was getting low so I thought I would have a cup of cereal. Well, you know once your sugar dips then you feel like you can eat everything in sight. I overate the cereal and ooh, I felt it just sitting in my pouch, I knew I was in for a 30 minute nightmare. Finally, it moved on, and I felt better. Do any of you still do this? I don't do it on a regular basis because I can pretty much tell when one more bite will put me over the edge, but sometimes I can't tell until it's too late. I'm guessing I need to eat slower like in the beginning. In another month, I'll be 2 years out! Thanks. Cathy

Cathy, we are almost the same "age" and I still sometimes take that one bite too many and am miserable. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. One thing that I have found that works for me, as far as my blood sugar is concerned, is PROTEIN!! I do eat carbs, but not usually until dinner. I start the day with a protein shake for breakfast, then for my early snack, lunch, and afternoon snack I will have only protein (deli meat with cheese, cottage cheese, etc). At dinner, I will have protein, veggies, and a 2-4 bites of rice, pasta, etc. Evening snack is usually a protein bar (or popcorn ). I notice that when I eat like this, my blood sugar stays level and I don't have those hypoglycemic episodes that make me want to either eat everything in sight or become a seriel killer!! XOXOXO, Sharyn

Hey, Sharyn! I eat very similarly to you. I'm 14+ months post-op and find eating this way keeps my sugars nice and level thus far. My doc believes in protein supplements for life and believes in eating every 3-4 hours to keep things level. So far I've only had two lows and they were a couple of months ago so I think I'll stay on this course. Best wishes, Kathy

Kathy, I think I actually learned this from you. I've only been doing it for about 2 months. I know for sure I learned about it on this board. I discovered OH in May and learned so much. I wish I had known about it as a "newbie." Thanks. XOXOXO, Sharyn

Cathy, I'm just over 3 years out, And occasionally I still eat the 1 or 2 bites to many. Not often, just sometimes. Typically when what I am eating Is something (like cereal) that will 'swell' after swallowed As it absorbs saliva, or the liquid or moisture from other foods Eaten with it. Very Dry meat gets me, as do denser harder 'crispy' Carbs Like cereal or a crunchy crust on something. Then I'm usually very conscious of similar foods for a few months Until I have the experience with a different one. An ongoing Learning curve. Best Wishes- Dx

Cathy, I'm 5 years out and i do sometimes eat too much and feel sick. I think it's a thing we do and don't realize sometimes that our little tummies still can't handle much. Don't feel bad we have all done it time to time. Trust me you are not alone in this. Hang in there ok. Sincerely, Melissa Mitchell

Actually, at year 2.5 I did this quite often. Realized I was over-carb-ing & under eating. Skipping meals. Fluctuating sugar levels. Since then I've committed to eating 6x daily - & my sugar levels are generally level - so I don't do the "gotta get something - ANYTHING in me so I can quit the shakes" thing anymore. Now at almost 5 years, these episodes are MAYBE 1 to 2x per year! I guess you CAN teach an "old dog" new tricks! Hang in there! Continue paying attention to your pouch & you'll level out too! (long term) Woo hoo on 2 years out! Judy 289 / 159 goal & holding over 2 years now!

I'm at my 5th year anniversary, and although the surgery seems lifetimes away...I still overeat at times. Mostly it happens when I am famished and just so hungry I tend to overeat thinking I'm still hungry...but the food swells once I start drinking my beverage. I never was able to drink a beverage when I first became post op...I could only eat then drink about 20 min after my meal...now I love the fact I can eat AND drink.... I think this is something that we will always have to deal with - even though our pouch does tend to stretch out over time, it's still way smaller and we have to remember the basics! Best of luck to you!! Kerry 354-193 5'9"